DEBT OF HONOUR REGISTER
The 'CASUALTIES' segment of this register honours the memory of those unit members and personnel from other armed forces assigned for duty who perished during service with No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight or No. 9 Squadron, also others whose death resulted from involvement in unit related operations. The cause of death may differ from some historical records, which tend to generalize statistics into categories. 'THE PASSING PARADE' segment commemorates other personnel who served with No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight or No. 9 Squadron but were not casualties resulting from involvement in unit operations.
CASUALTIES
The following personnel perished in circumstances related to No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight or No. 9 Squadron operations. Entries are arranged in date sequence of events corresponding to the loss of life.
| Service details | Died/Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Bernard ALBERTSON, US Special Forces, Advisor, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam A 50 man Vietnamese Regional Forces group operating in the forbidding Long Hai mountains suffered casualties in a mine explosion, one member losing both legs below the knees. A US Special Forces Advisor and an Australian Army Training Team member were with the group. Albatross Dustoff 1 arrived on scene with Bushranger support to evacuate casualties and hovered among rocks for winching. The aircraft was engaged by enemy groundfire with the legless casualty suspended in a stokes litter. Despite determined return fire from the aircraft Gunner, multiple hits caused the engine to fail and the aircraft fell onto those immediately beneath among the rocks, rolling on its starboard side and bursting into flame. The US and Australian Advisors were killed, but the legless casualty managed to drag himself clear of the burning aircraft. The 4 aircrew managed to vacate the wreck, although were unable to recover an Army medic on board who had become trapped, despite valiant efforts of the Crewman to save him. The shocked crew sheltered among rocks while a fire-fight continued and were eventually evacuated around dusk. The Co pilot suffered serious burns but the rest were in satisfactory condition. The Crewman was awarded the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, the only such award made to an Australian in Vietnam. |
| Lieutenant Commander Jack Cawston BACON, Royal Navy, Observer, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 407000, Flying Officer Raymond Barker BARREY, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. HMAS Sydney was en route to Fremantle from the Sunda Strait when she unexpectedly encountered the disguised German Raider Kormoran posing as a Dutch merchant ship about 150 nautical miles southwest of Carnarvon WA. According to German survivors, Sydney was not ready for battle with turrets not trained or torpedo tubes manned and came within point blank range broadside to Kormoran at about 900 metres. Around 1730 when challenged to display code, Kormoran engaged Sydney with intense fire quickly knocking out the bridge, director tower and engine room. Kormorans 5th salvo shot the 9 Squadron Walrus, as the propeller was turning. Sydney managed some return fire disabling Kormorans engines, but was pulverized at close range by some 550 rounds of 5.9 inch shells fired by Kormoran during the engagement, which lasted about one hour. Kormoran was abandoned at 2330 hours, her large cargo of about 200 mines detonating around 30 minutes later and sinking the ship. There was nothing indicating Sydney remained afloat after occasional flickerings of light had ceased. 635 Officers and Ratings, 6 RAAF and 4 civilians were all listed as missing presumed dead. HMAS Sydney has been located. |
| O118325, Pilot Officer Ronald William BETTS, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
20 Mar 71 | Enemy Action Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Early afternoon, the Bushrangers were called to support 2 Platoon, C20 Company, 3RAR. The platoon Commander and Signaller were both wounded and became separated from the main group, which had run out of smoke grenades for position marking. The ground situation was very confused and the enemy location was misidentified to the Bushrangers by the platoon. Bushranger 71 descended to tree top height to drop more smoke grenades and inadvertently overflew the enemy position at low airspeed, being hit numerous times by groundfire. The Co-pilot was hit in the head, mortally wounded and subsequently died after being evacuated to hospital.  |
| 19983, Corporal Thomas Douglas BLACKHURST, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, Advisor, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| A111550, Leading Aircraftman Alan Clarence BLOXSOM, RAAF, Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
31 Mar 71 | Enemy Action Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Squadron aircraft were involved in supporting and Companies of 3RAR engaged with enemy forces throughout the day and night. V Company suffered casualties virtually exhausting ammunition. Albatross Dustoff 1 attempted casevac under Bushranger suppressive fire but took enemy groundfire wounding the Crewman. Albatross 04 then resupplied a beleaguered platoon with ammunition. Bushranger 73 took hits in the fuel tank and was forced to return to Nui Dat. An Australian Army Sioux helicopter was shot down during the action and US Army Gunships also provided fire support. The Crewman from Albatross Dustoff 1 was evacuated to hospital where he died from wounds. |
| Petty Officer Telegraphist Colin Kenneth BUNNETT, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. |
| 60224, Leading Aircraftman Geoffrey George CHAPMAN, RAAF, Photographer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| 119, Flight Lieutenant George John Isaiah CLARKE, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa Royal Navy warships and HMAS Australia were engaging Vichy French warships located in Dakar harbour. A 9 Squadron Walrus borrowed from the Royal Navy was spotting for naval gunfire when engaged by 3 Vichy French fighter aircraft. 2 aircrew were seen to unsuccessfully bale out before the aircraft crashed into the sea. |
| 7143, Corporal Arthur John CLARKE, RAAF, Fitter Armourer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay - WA. |
| 21237, Corporal Joseph Kenneth CROFT, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| 15452, Leading Aircraftman Richard DODDS, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 219663, Trooper David Gerard DOYLE, Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Driver/Signalman, B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, |
31 Jul 70 | Flying Accident During Operations Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Albatross 03 was conducting a logistic support mission to B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment and landed unavoidably very close to an armoured personnel carrier. The Driver/Signalman emerged through a hatch on top of the vehicle and was struck by the Iroquois rotor blade when he jumped to the ground. |
| A317809, Corporal David John DUBBER, RAAF, ADG Gunner, No. 9 Squadron, |
07 Jun 71 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| 20243, Leading Aircraftman Victor Ronald EGGINTON, RAAF, Fitter Armourer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| Telegraphist William Sidney FIBBENS, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 2787344, Private David John Elkington FISHER, Special Air Service Regiment, 3 Squadron, |
27 Sep 69 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam A 5 man SAS patrol had a series of sharp contacts with strong groups of enemy and called for helicopter extraction. Response was prompt but flight time to the location enabled the enemy to close with the patrol, necessitating a rope extraction through jungle. While still engaging the opposition, the patrol clipped their hastily created Swiss Seat karabiner rings to 150 foot long ropes dropped by the recovery Iroquois and were slowly lifted vertically through the canopy. At about 100 feet above the trees, one member was seen to separate from his rope and disappear into the jungle. It was thought he incorrectly connected a dropped rope to his karabiner ring while under pressure during the fire-fight. Ground searches were conducted over 6 days but he was never located. |
| Lieutenant Commander Francis Kevin FOGARTY, RAN, Observer, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa |
| 9347, Corporal Roy Ebenezer FOSTER, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| A61426, Sergeant Paul Patrick GALLAGHER, RAAF, Flight Fitter 'A', No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 3170244, Lance Corporal John Francis GILLESPIE, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Aircraft Medic,, 8 Field Ambulance, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| 18590, Sergeant David Beaufort GROUT, RAAF, Observer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
22 May 42 | Flying Training Accident Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, NSW The Seagull crashed while landing during a first night solo flight on type. The Observer was trapped in the wreckage and his body recovered when the aircraft was brought ashore. |
| Lieutenant John James HOATH, Royal Navy, Pilot, |
06 Apr 41 | Flying Accident During Operations - Tasman Sea, Wellington, NZ. HMAS Australia and Hobart were en route to Wellington to meet convoy US10. A2-24 crashed into the sea and sank after leaving Australia's catapult, this being the only recorded catapult failure. Hobart's Seagull alighted nearby and recovered the injured Observer and Telegraphist Air Gunner. The Royal Navy Pilot was declared missing presumed dead. He had been loaned to the ship pending the arrival of a RAAF pilot to replace Flight Lieutenant Clarke, who was killed at Dakar. |
| 35338, Leading Aircraftman Keith HOMARD, RAAF, Photographer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 407173, Flight Lieutenant Donald Jack HOOKINGS, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld The aircraft crashed into the sea during dive bombing practice in poor weather. Bodies were not recovered for 3 days due to violent weather. |
| A46754, Corporal Barry Raymond JOHNS, RAAF, Flight Fitter 'B', No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| O316996, Flight Lieutenant Everitt Murray (Lofty) LANCE, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
07 Jun 71 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam The Squadron was providing Gunship, ammunition resupply and casevac support for Bravo Company, 3RAR and 1 Armoured Regiment Centurion tanks who were engaged in an enemy bunker system. During an ammunition resupply, Albatross 06 crashed into trees killing the Captain and Gunner with the Co-pilot and Crewman injured. Casevac was attempted but had to be aborted due to intense enemy fire. Under continuous fire from Bushrangers and US Army Gunships, Bravo Company was resupplied with ammunition and the aircrew casualties were evacuated. The Bushrangers were continuously involved engaging the enemy throughout the day and other Squadron aircraft evacuated 25 wounded and injured, all but 3 being battle casualties. |
| O52901, Wing Commander Peter William MAHOOD, DSO RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA A detachment of 8 aircraft was deployed to the El Alamein Army camp near Port Augusta for day and night air mobility training with 3 Battalion, RAR. Night exercises were being conducted with aircraft returning to base in pairs around midnight. The last pair overflew the camp and entered a descending turn preceding landing. The lead aircraft struck a ridgeline about 2 kilometres from the camp, exploded and disintegrated, killing all 5 on board. |
| 3967, Sergeant Sidney MARLEY, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| O230093, Pilot Officer Paul Thomas MASON, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 20914, Corporal James Ronald Kenneth McCORMACK, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| Leading Telegraphist Donald McGOWAN, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
19 Mar 30 | Flying Accident During Operations - Norfolk Bay, Tasmania. The aircraft inadvertently entered a spin at 6,000 feet while spotting for naval gunfire in atrocious weather conditions. There was no recognized spin recovery technique and the amphibian spun into the water. The seriously injured Pilot and Observer were recovered but the Telegraphist Air Gunner became wedged in the rear of the fuselage and drowned. He was the first RAN naval aviator killed during service. |
| A317006, Leading Aircraftman Duncan Glen McNAIR, RAAF, ARM Fitt Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
20 Jul 70 | Flying Accident During Operations Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Albatross 01 crashed and burned during operations on 03 July 1970. All 4 crew were recovered and hospitalized suffering from severe burns and shock. The Crewman was subsequently transferred to Saigon when his condition deteriorated. His wife was flown up from Australia and he subsequently died on 20 July 1970. |
| Lieutenant John Henry McWHAE, Royal Navy, Pilot, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld |
| Lieutenant Neville David McWILLIAM, RAN, Observer, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Rabaul was invaded by Japanese forces on 23 January 1942 and Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. The Netherlands East Indies were threatened and an international force of American, British, Dutch and Australian warships, including HMAS Hobart and Perth, was scraped together in an attempt to stop the Japanese advance. This allied force was severely mauled in the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942. USS Houston and HMAS Perth tried to break out of the archipelago to the Indian Ocean through the Sunda Strait and encountered a Japanese invasion force at Bantam Bay, Java covered by a widely dispersed force of cruisers and destroyers. Houston and Perth immediately charged the exposed transports, which were protected at first by a lone Japanese destroyer. The Allied cruisers were quickly mobbed by the various converging Japanese warships, which fired an unprecedented eighty-seven torpedoes at the two unexpected interlopers. Hit by gunfire and torpedoes, they both were both sunk in relatively short order although perhaps not before at least damaging up to 15 enemy ships. Perth's total complement was 681; 353 were lost in action, 4 died ashore and 324 were captured. 106 died whilst prisoners of war, 53 of them on the infamous Burma-Siam railway. The 9 Squadron detachment Observer and 3 maintenance personnel were killed; the Pilot and 2 other members were captured with one dying in captivity. |
| A316726, Sergeant Steve Gordon MILSTED, RAAF, ARM Fitt Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 260818, Flight Lieutenant Duncan John MURCHISON, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands On 7 August 1942, a powerful fleet of 48 allied warships had assembled to support the invasion of the Solomon Islands by 16,000 US Marines; this naval force including HMAS Australia, Canberra, Hobart, with 9 Squadron Seagull detachments embarked. The invaders landed soon after dawn that day, achieving complete surprise at Guadalcanal and strong opposition at nearby Tulagi Island was soon crushed. The Japanese reacted immediately despatching the 7th Fleet from Rabaul at 1630 hours, with 7 cruisers and a destroyer aiming to carry out a night attack on allied ships between Guadalcanal and Tulagi on the night of 9 August. Incredibly, the sole sighting of this approaching enemy force by a RAAF Catalina, was not passed on to Allied leaders. The Americans had split the naval force into 3 groups to patrol the southern channel and either side of Savo Island. HMAS Canberra was paired with USS Chicago guarding the southern channel. At 0143 hours on 9 August, Japanese float planes began dropping flares, illuminating Chicago and Canberra, which was presumed to be friendly force activity by those on board these ships and the distant northern force elements. The Japanese warships engaged the Chicago and Canberra, killing the Chief Gunnery Officer and badly wounding the Captain, also knocking out both boiler rooms and with them, the ships power. As she slid to a halt, Canberras big guns were already useless. Several shells passed right through the hull and seawater began pouring into the ship. Canberra was deliberately sunk the day following the Battle of Savo. 84 men perished on HMAS Canberra or would later die of wounds. Five of seven 9 Squadron detachment members were killed. HMAS Australia and Hobart were not involved in the Battle of Savo, although Hobart witnessed the glow of battle from a distance. Both ships participated in the hard fought Guadalcanal campaign until 3 September 1942, when they were redeployed to Brisbane. |
| 9358, Corporal Colin Archibald NOTT, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |
| 411376, Sergeant Thomas Frederick PICKERING, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
05 Mar 42 | Flying Accident Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, NSW The Seagull crashed on landing at Rathmines killing the Pilot. A Flight Mechanic passenger was injured and hospitalized. The body of the Pilot was not recovered until some days later. |
| 407009, Flying Officer Edward James ROWAN, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
19 Feb 42 | Flying Accident During Operations Fiji, Pacific Ocean The aircraft was carrying out outer submarine patrol at sea. On approach to land, the aircraft struck the stern of the ship, caught fire and sank very quickly. The Observer and Telegraphist Air Gunner managed to escape from the wreck but the Pilot had been killed. |
| 401320, Pilot Officer Edward Charles Sherwood SELLER, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld |
| A119739, Aircraftman Peter James SHERIFF, RAAF, Gunner, No. 9 Squadron, |
08 Jan 71 | Post-Flying Accident Vung Tau Airfield, South Vietnam A weapon that had not been cleared discharged when being unloaded from a 9 Squadron aircraft in the revetments at Vung Tau airfield. A Gunner was accidentally shot and killed. |
| 3635, Sergeant Harold SPARKS, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |
| O120600, Flight Lieutenant Ralph Nigel Keith TAYLOR, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
29 Jul 77 | Flying Accident During Survey Operations, Baliem Valley, Irian Jaya, Indonesia |
| 40613, Leading Aircraftman Ernest George TOE, RAAF, Clerk (Stores), No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (LAC Toe died in captivity on 14 Sep 44) |
| O46085, Flight Lieutenant Reginald Frederick VAN LEUVEN, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
11 Jan 74 | Flying Accident Stanthorpe, Qld While in transit from Amberley to the Narrabri, NSW area for flood relief operations, the aircraft suffered a mechanical failure and attempted a forced landing, impacting the ground at high speed. A Crewman was thrown out of the aircraft and died at the scene. 2 Pilots suffered major trauma to their legs, the aircraft Captain dying from effects of these injuries. |
| A113099, Sergeant Peter Vidler, RAAF, Crewman, 9 Sqn, |
11 Jan 74 | Flying Accident Stanthorpe, Qld Short shaft failure |
| 9030, Corporal Phillip Ernest WILL, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |
THE PASSING PARADE
The following personnel served with No. 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight or No. 9 Squadron and were not casualties resulting from involvement in unit operations. Entries are arranged in alphabetical order with latest additions being foremost for 180 days.
| Service details | Died/Age | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Bernard ALBERTSON, US Special Forces, Advisor, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam A 50 man Vietnamese Regional Forces group operating in the forbidding Long Hai mountains suffered casualties in a mine explosion, one member losing both legs below the knees. A US Special Forces Advisor and an Australian Army Training Team member were with the group. Albatross Dustoff 1 arrived on scene with Bushranger support to evacuate casualties and hovered among rocks for winching. The aircraft was engaged by enemy groundfire with the legless casualty suspended in a stokes litter. Despite determined return fire from the aircraft Gunner, multiple hits caused the engine to fail and the aircraft fell onto those immediately beneath among the rocks, rolling on its starboard side and bursting into flame. The US and Australian Advisors were killed, but the legless casualty managed to drag himself clear of the burning aircraft. The 4 aircrew managed to vacate the wreck, although were unable to recover an Army medic on board who had become trapped, despite valiant efforts of the Crewman to save him. The shocked crew sheltered among rocks while a fire-fight continued and were eventually evacuated around dusk. The Co pilot suffered serious burns but the rest were in satisfactory condition. The Crewman was awarded the British Empire Medal for Gallantry, the only such award made to an Australian in Vietnam. |
| Lieutenant Commander Jack Cawston BACON, Royal Navy, Observer, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 407000, Flying Officer Raymond Barker BARREY, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. HMAS Sydney was en route to Fremantle from the Sunda Strait when she unexpectedly encountered the disguised German Raider Kormoran posing as a Dutch merchant ship about 150 nautical miles southwest of Carnarvon WA. According to German survivors, Sydney was not ready for battle with turrets not trained or torpedo tubes manned and came within point blank range broadside to Kormoran at about 900 metres. Around 1730 when challenged to display code, Kormoran engaged Sydney with intense fire quickly knocking out the bridge, director tower and engine room. Kormorans 5th salvo shot the 9 Squadron Walrus, as the propeller was turning. Sydney managed some return fire disabling Kormorans engines, but was pulverized at close range by some 550 rounds of 5.9 inch shells fired by Kormoran during the engagement, which lasted about one hour. Kormoran was abandoned at 2330 hours, her large cargo of about 200 mines detonating around 30 minutes later and sinking the ship. There was nothing indicating Sydney remained afloat after occasional flickerings of light had ceased. 635 Officers and Ratings, 6 RAAF and 4 civilians were all listed as missing presumed dead. HMAS Sydney has been located. |
| O118325, Pilot Officer Ronald William BETTS, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
20 Mar 71 | Enemy Action Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Early afternoon, the Bushrangers were called to support 2 Platoon, C20 Company, 3RAR. The platoon Commander and Signaller were both wounded and became separated from the main group, which had run out of smoke grenades for position marking. The ground situation was very confused and the enemy location was misidentified to the Bushrangers by the platoon. Bushranger 71 descended to tree top height to drop more smoke grenades and inadvertently overflew the enemy position at low airspeed, being hit numerous times by groundfire. The Co-pilot was hit in the head, mortally wounded and subsequently died after being evacuated to hospital. |
| 19983, Corporal Thomas Douglas BLACKHURST, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, Advisor, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| A111550, Leading Aircraftman Alan Clarence BLOXSOM, RAAF, Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
31 Mar 71 | Enemy Action Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Squadron aircraft were involved in supporting and Companies of 3RAR engaged with enemy forces throughout the day and night. V Company suffered casualties virtually exhausting ammunition. Albatross Dustoff 1 attempted casevac under Bushranger suppressive fire but took enemy groundfire wounding the Crewman. Albatross 04 then resupplied a beleaguered platoon with ammunition. Bushranger 73 took hits in the fuel tank and was forced to return to Nui Dat. An Australian Army Sioux helicopter was shot down during the action and US Army Gunships also provided fire support. The Crewman from Albatross Dustoff 1 was evacuated to hospital where he died from wounds. |
| Petty Officer Telegraphist Colin Kenneth BUNNETT, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa. |
| 60224, Leading Aircraftman Geoffrey George CHAPMAN, RAAF, Photographer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| 119, Flight Lieutenant George John Isaiah CLARKE, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa Royal Navy warships and HMAS Australia were engaging Vichy French warships located in Dakar harbour. A 9 Squadron Walrus borrowed from the Royal Navy was spotting for naval gunfire when engaged by 3 Vichy French fighter aircraft. 2 aircrew were seen to unsuccessfully bale out before the aircraft crashed into the sea. |
| 7143, Corporal Arthur John CLARKE, RAAF, Fitter Armourer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay - WA. |
| 21237, Corporal Joseph Kenneth CROFT, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| 15452, Leading Aircraftman Richard DODDS, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 219663, Trooper David Gerard DOYLE, Royal Australian Armoured Corps, Driver/Signalman, B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment, |
31 Jul 70 | Flying Accident During Operations Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Albatross 03 was conducting a logistic support mission to B Squadron, 3 Cavalry Regiment and landed unavoidably very close to an armoured personnel carrier. The Driver/Signalman emerged through a hatch on top of the vehicle and was struck by the Iroquois rotor blade when he jumped to the ground. |
| A317809, Corporal David John DUBBER, RAAF, ADG Gunner, No. 9 Squadron, |
07 Jun 71 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| 20243, Leading Aircraftman Victor Ronald EGGINTON, RAAF, Fitter Armourer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| Telegraphist William Sidney FIBBENS, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 2787344, Private David John Elkington FISHER, Special Air Service Regiment, 3 Squadron, |
27 Sep 69 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam A 5 man SAS patrol had a series of sharp contacts with strong groups of enemy and called for helicopter extraction. Response was prompt but flight time to the location enabled the enemy to close with the patrol, necessitating a rope extraction through jungle. While still engaging the opposition, the patrol clipped their hastily created Swiss Seat karabiner rings to 150 foot long ropes dropped by the recovery Iroquois and were slowly lifted vertically through the canopy. At about 100 feet above the trees, one member was seen to separate from his rope and disappear into the jungle. It was thought he incorrectly connected a dropped rope to his karabiner ring while under pressure during the fire-fight. Ground searches were conducted over 6 days but he was never located. |
| Lieutenant Commander Francis Kevin FOGARTY, RAN, Observer, |
25 Sep 40 | Enemy Action - Dakar, Senegal, West Africa |
| 9347, Corporal Roy Ebenezer FOSTER, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| A61426, Sergeant Paul Patrick GALLAGHER, RAAF, Flight Fitter 'A', No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 3170244, Lance Corporal John Francis GILLESPIE, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, Aircraft Medic,, 8 Field Ambulance, |
17 Apr 71 | Enemy Action Long Hai Mountains, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam |
| 18590, Sergeant David Beaufort GROUT, RAAF, Observer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
22 May 42 | Flying Training Accident Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, NSW The Seagull crashed while landing during a first night solo flight on type. The Observer was trapped in the wreckage and his body recovered when the aircraft was brought ashore. |
| Lieutenant John James HOATH, Royal Navy, Pilot, |
06 Apr 41 | Flying Accident During Operations - Tasman Sea, Wellington, NZ. HMAS Australia and Hobart were en route to Wellington to meet convoy US10. A2-24 crashed into the sea and sank after leaving Australia's catapult, this being the only recorded catapult failure. Hobart's Seagull alighted nearby and recovered the injured Observer and Telegraphist Air Gunner. The Royal Navy Pilot was declared missing presumed dead. He had been loaned to the ship pending the arrival of a RAAF pilot to replace Flight Lieutenant Clarke, who was killed at Dakar. |
| 35338, Leading Aircraftman Keith HOMARD, RAAF, Photographer, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| 407173, Flight Lieutenant Donald Jack HOOKINGS, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld The aircraft crashed into the sea during dive bombing practice in poor weather. Bodies were not recovered for 3 days due to violent weather. |
| A46754, Corporal Barry Raymond JOHNS, RAAF, Flight Fitter 'B', No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| O316996, Flight Lieutenant Everitt Murray (Lofty) LANCE, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
07 Jun 71 | Flying Accident During Enemy Engagement Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam The Squadron was providing Gunship, ammunition resupply and casevac support for Bravo Company, 3RAR and 1 Armoured Regiment Centurion tanks who were engaged in an enemy bunker system. During an ammunition resupply, Albatross 06 crashed into trees killing the Captain and Gunner with the Co-pilot and Crewman injured. Casevac was attempted but had to be aborted due to intense enemy fire. Under continuous fire from Bushrangers and US Army Gunships, Bravo Company was resupplied with ammunition and the aircrew casualties were evacuated. The Bushrangers were continuously involved engaging the enemy throughout the day and other Squadron aircraft evacuated 25 wounded and injured, all but 3 being battle casualties. |
| O52901, Wing Commander Peter William MAHOOD, DSO RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA A detachment of 8 aircraft was deployed to the El Alamein Army camp near Port Augusta for day and night air mobility training with 3 Battalion, RAR. Night exercises were being conducted with aircraft returning to base in pairs around midnight. The last pair overflew the camp and entered a descending turn preceding landing. The lead aircraft struck a ridgeline about 2 kilometres from the camp, exploded and disintegrated, killing all 5 on board. |
| 3967, Sergeant Sidney MARLEY, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
20 Nov 41 | Enemy Action - Sinking of HMAS Sydney by the German Raider Kormoran near Shark Bay, WA. |
| O230093, Pilot Officer Paul Thomas MASON, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 20914, Corporal James Ronald Kenneth McCORMACK, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island |
| Leading Telegraphist Donald McGOWAN, RAN, Telegraphist Air Gunner, |
19 Mar 30 | Flying Accident During Operations - Norfolk Bay, Tasmania. The aircraft inadvertently entered a spin at 6,000 feet while spotting for naval gunfire in atrocious weather conditions. There was no recognized spin recovery technique and the amphibian spun into the water. The seriously injured Pilot and Observer were recovered but the Telegraphist Air Gunner became wedged in the rear of the fuselage and drowned. He was the first RAN naval aviator killed during service. |
| A317006, Leading Aircraftman Duncan Glen McNAIR, RAAF, ARM Fitt Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
20 Jul 70 | Flying Accident During Operations Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam Albatross 01 crashed and burned during operations on 03 July 1970. All 4 crew were recovered and hospitalized suffering from severe burns and shock. The Crewman was subsequently transferred to Saigon when his condition deteriorated. His wife was flown up from Australia and he subsequently died on 20 July 1970. |
| Lieutenant John Henry McWHAE, Royal Navy, Pilot, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld |
| Lieutenant Neville David McWILLIAM, RAN, Observer, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Rabaul was invaded by Japanese forces on 23 January 1942 and Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. The Netherlands East Indies were threatened and an international force of American, British, Dutch and Australian warships, including HMAS Hobart and Perth, was scraped together in an attempt to stop the Japanese advance. This allied force was severely mauled in the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942. USS Houston and HMAS Perth tried to break out of the archipelago to the Indian Ocean through the Sunda Strait and encountered a Japanese invasion force at Bantam Bay, Java covered by a widely dispersed force of cruisers and destroyers. Houston and Perth immediately charged the exposed transports, which were protected at first by a lone Japanese destroyer. The Allied cruisers were quickly mobbed by the various converging Japanese warships, which fired an unprecedented eighty-seven torpedoes at the two unexpected interlopers. Hit by gunfire and torpedoes, they both were both sunk in relatively short order although perhaps not before at least damaging up to 15 enemy ships. Perth's total complement was 681; 353 were lost in action, 4 died ashore and 324 were captured. 106 died whilst prisoners of war, 53 of them on the infamous Burma-Siam railway. The 9 Squadron detachment Observer and 3 maintenance personnel were killed; the Pilot and 2 other members were captured with one dying in captivity. |
| A316726, Sergeant Steve Gordon MILSTED, RAAF, ARM Fitt Crewman, No. 9 Squadron, |
25 Nov 78 | Flying Accident El Alamein Army Camp, Port Augusta, SA |
| 260818, Flight Lieutenant Duncan John MURCHISON, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
09 Aug 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Canberra in the Battle of Savo Island, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands On 7 August 1942, a powerful fleet of 48 allied warships had assembled to support the invasion of the Solomon Islands by 16,000 US Marines; this naval force including HMAS Australia, Canberra, Hobart, with 9 Squadron Seagull detachments embarked. The invaders landed soon after dawn that day, achieving complete surprise at Guadalcanal and strong opposition at nearby Tulagi Island was soon crushed. The Japanese reacted immediately despatching the 7th Fleet from Rabaul at 1630 hours, with 7 cruisers and a destroyer aiming to carry out a night attack on allied ships between Guadalcanal and Tulagi on the night of 9 August. Incredibly, the sole sighting of this approaching enemy force by a RAAF Catalina, was not passed on to Allied leaders. The Americans had split the naval force into 3 groups to patrol the southern channel and either side of Savo Island. HMAS Canberra was paired with USS Chicago guarding the southern channel. At 0143 hours on 9 August, Japanese float planes began dropping flares, illuminating Chicago and Canberra, which was presumed to be friendly force activity by those on board these ships and the distant northern force elements. The Japanese warships engaged the Chicago and Canberra, killing the Chief Gunnery Officer and badly wounding the Captain, also knocking out both boiler rooms and with them, the ships power. As she slid to a halt, Canberras big guns were already useless. Several shells passed right through the hull and seawater began pouring into the ship. Canberra was deliberately sunk the day following the Battle of Savo. 84 men perished on HMAS Canberra or would later die of wounds. Five of seven 9 Squadron detachment members were killed. HMAS Australia and Hobart were not involved in the Battle of Savo, although Hobart witnessed the glow of battle from a distance. Both ships participated in the hard fought Guadalcanal campaign until 3 September 1942, when they were redeployed to Brisbane. |
| 9358, Corporal Colin Archibald NOTT, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |
| 411376, Sergeant Thomas Frederick PICKERING, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
05 Mar 42 | Flying Accident Rathmines, Lake Macquarie, NSW The Seagull crashed on landing at Rathmines killing the Pilot. A Flight Mechanic passenger was injured and hospitalized. The body of the Pilot was not recovered until some days later. |
| 407009, Flying Officer Edward James ROWAN, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
19 Feb 42 | Flying Accident During Operations Fiji, Pacific Ocean The aircraft was carrying out outer submarine patrol at sea. On approach to land, the aircraft struck the stern of the ship, caught fire and sank very quickly. The Observer and Telegraphist Air Gunner managed to escape from the wreck but the Pilot had been killed. |
| 401320, Pilot Officer Edward Charles Sherwood SELLER, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
08 Feb 43 | Flying Training Accident Stone Island, Bowen, Qld |
| A119739, Aircraftman Peter James SHERIFF, RAAF, Gunner, No. 9 Squadron, |
08 Jan 71 | Post-Flying Accident Vung Tau Airfield, South Vietnam A weapon that had not been cleared discharged when being unloaded from a 9 Squadron aircraft in the revetments at Vung Tau airfield. A Gunner was accidentally shot and killed. |
| 3635, Sergeant Harold SPARKS, RAAF, Fitter 2E, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |
| O120600, Flight Lieutenant Ralph Nigel Keith TAYLOR, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
29 Jul 77 | Flying Accident During Survey Operations, Baliem Valley, Irian Jaya, Indonesia |
| 40613, Leading Aircraftman Ernest George TOE, RAAF, Clerk (Stores), No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (LAC Toe died in captivity on 14 Sep 44) |
| O46085, Flight Lieutenant Reginald Frederick VAN LEUVEN, RAAF, Pilot, No. 9 Squadron, |
11 Jan 74 | Flying Accident Stanthorpe, Qld While in transit from Amberley to the Narrabri, NSW area for flood relief operations, the aircraft suffered a mechanical failure and attempted a forced landing, impacting the ground at high speed. A Crewman was thrown out of the aircraft and died at the scene. 2 Pilots suffered major trauma to their legs, the aircraft Captain dying from effects of these injuries. |
| A113099, Sergeant Peter Vidler, RAAF, Crewman, 9 Sqn, |
11 Jan 74 | Flying Accident Stanthorpe, Qld Short shaft failure |
| 9030, Corporal Phillip Ernest WILL, RAAF, Fitter 2A, No. 9(FC) Squadron, |
01 Mar 42 | Enemy Action Sinking of HMAS Perth in the Battle of Sunda Strait, Java, Netherlands East Indies. |