Assistance in Photographing Headstones of RAAF Deaths in WW2

Hi Max,

The photos of Ward & Terras would be great. With respect to the others who are listed on CWGC as UK but are actually Australian:

In respect to positioning the first only denotes "South Part" for position whilst there is not a reference for the second.

KENNEDY, JOHN CONNOLLY
Flight Lieutenant
40052
238sq RAF
13/07/1940
23
Royal Air Force
UK
South part.
WARMWELL (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD
UK
Dorset
HOLLAND, KENNETH CHRISTOPHER
Sergeant
754503
152sq RAF
25/09/1940
20
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
UK

WEYMOUTH CREMATORIUM
UK
Dorset


Cheers

Geoff

 

Thank you Brian,

I will put the list together for you.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Brian,

Spreadsheet forwarded to your email.

Any queries, please send me an email.


Cheers

Geoff

 

Geoff,
I sent you a pm which obviously didn't reach you. I tried to send you the gravestone photos for Rowland Ward and Colin Terras using the e-mail address in your profile, but it bounced. Can you advise the best way to get them to you please?
Regards
Max

 

Hi Max,

I failed to notice the message.

I have sent you a return to yours.

Thank you for your assistance.

Cheers

Geoff

 

No PM received to date Geoff!
Max

 

RAAF Headstone

Inverness headstones for Spidge. Anyone interested also took photos of a couple of Canadian and 1 RAF.
Send me a e-mail address and I will send full size pics.

 

Spidge, do you have a list of the US locations?

 

RAAF War Graves in the United States of America

COMPLETED

Hi Steve,

The lads are in some Prestigious cemeteries in the states. The lad at Arlington is the only Australian to be so honoured.

MILNE, FRANCIS DEBENHAM
Pilot Officer
33516
6 Troop Carrier Sqn 1 Administrative Wing USAAF
26/11/1942
25
RAAF
Australian
Sec. 34. Coll. Grave 4754.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
Virginia

SCOTT, RONALD WILLIAM
Leading Aircraftman
13732
2 MD BRANDON RCAF
12/02/1944
22
RAAF
Australian Sec. 138. Row E. Grave 12.
LOS ANGELES NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
California

MORRIS, LLOYD ASHWIN
Flight Lieutenant
419326
25sq
12/08/1945
28
RAAF
Australian
Sec. E. 153.
SAN BRUNO (GOLDEN GATE) NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
California

CLAPINSON, HENRY WILLIAM
Sergeant
6109
HQ RAAF Attch USAAF
19/03/1944
36
RAAF
Australian
Sec. 84. Coll. grave 402.
ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
Missouri

KEOGH, GERARD MICHAEL
Flying Officer
266551
HQ
RAAF
Melbourne
30/08/1943
40
RAAF
Australian
Sec. 82. Coll. grave 34.
ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
Missouri

MACKAY, WILLIAM ALEXANDER
Sergeant
414624
41
RDF
Attchd 63 Bomb Sq USAAF
30/06/1943
29
RAAF
Australian Sec. 84. Coll. grave 403-405.
ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
Missouri

HAWTER, EDGAR HORACE
Flight Sergeant
406129
90 Bomber Sqn USAAF
26/07/1942
28
RAAF
Australian
Sec. W. Coll. grave 17527/9.
VICKSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY
USA
Mississippi

 

Francis Debenham Milne - Arlington National Cemetery

I do have the Headstone of Francis Milne RAAF.

View attachment 1985

Pilot Officer Milne died on a World War II air mission while serving with a U. S. Aircrew on November 26, 1942. He was a member of a multinational flight crew whose remains were discovered in New Guinea in 1989. Since his remains, and those of the United States Army Air Corps Technical Sergeant (Joseph E. Paul), were individually unidentifiable, they were buried together in the same casket in grave 4754, Section 34, Arlington National Cemetery. This information was researched, and then located, due to a number of inquiries received from Australian citizens in November 1997. As far as can be determined, he is the only Australian thus far buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Each ANZAC Day 25 April, (our equivalent of the American Veterans Day) there is a small ceremony at the site by the RAAF staff in Washington, D.C. following the Commemorative Service in the National Cathedral. The Prime Minister of Australia joined in the tradition and visited the gravesite in 1997 during an official visit to Washington

In Memory of
Pilot Officer FRANCIS DEBENHAM MILNE
Royal Australian Air Force who died aged 25 on Thursday, 26th November 1942.
Pilot Officer MILNE was the son of Francis Rupert and Mignonette Milne;
husband of Nance May Milne, of Southport, Queensland.
Remembered with honour
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Virginia, United States of America.

 

C-47-DL "Swamp Rat" Serial Number 41-38601 USAAF
5th AF
374th TCG
6th TCS





November 7, 1942

Aerothentic 2008
Pilot 2nd Lt. Earl B Lattier, O-790013 (Vermilion Parish, LA) (KIA)
Co-Pilot Pilot Officer Francis Debenham Milne, RAAF 33516 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Joseph E. Paul, 13006214 PA (KIA)
Crew Arthur Believe, 16028217 NY (KIA)
Crashed November 26, 1942
Aircraft History
Built by Douglas, constructor number 4629. Assigned to the US Army on August 30, 1942. Sent to Australia and served with the 5th Air Force in October 1942. Operated as VH-CCY. (Or possibly VH-CFX).
Nicknamed "Swamp Rat" and a large white rat painted on both sides of the nose, below the cockpit, with the tail wrapping around beneath it.
This C-47 had the distinction of being the first Dakota to land at Pongani Airfield on November 7, 1942 and was photographed on the ground being unloaded by 32nd Infantry Division. It became temporarily bogged at the end of the runway before successfully taking off.
Mission History
This aircraft was taking part in operations between Wanigela Airfield and Dobodura Airfield. After take off from Dobodura for Wards Drome (5-Mile), it was intercepted at low altitude without warning by Zeros and shot down. Seen bursting into flames before hitting the ground. American troops reportedly reached the crash site soon afterward and recovered some remains. Two wartime positions were given for the crash site, (1) four miles south of Popondetta and (2) five miles south of Dobodura. Also lost is C-47 41-38631.
Wreckage
The wreckage with remains was located in 1990 by Frank Egiembari and Dave Pennefather.
David Pennefather recalls:
"The most significant of my experiences whilst at Popondetta, that belongs to a C-47 transport named "Swamp Rat". Frank led me to this wreck. Human remains were found in the wreckage. As it turned out two American and one Australian. The remains were subsequently recovered by the US Army but because the remains could not be separated one from the other were interred in a joint grave at Arlington. The Australian, named Milne, being the only Australian buried at Arlington National Cemetery."
John Douglas visited the crash in 1995:
"I have been to this wreck about 1995, with Frank Egiembari. He shot a pig, and we had a great adventure. We found half a skull a shoulder blade and part of an Australian uniform, there were Aussie crew aboard. The US Army Quartermaster people didn't do a very good job. I turned over some wreckage on the ground and remains were clearly visible."
Remains were recovered 1990 by US Army CILHI, and brought to Hawaii for forensic identification.
Memorials
The remains of all four crew members were recovered. Those of Milne and Paul are buried together at Arlington National Cemetery Section 34. Collective Grave 4754. Co-Pilot Milne was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and 25 years old at the time of the shoot down. He has the distinction of being the only Australian buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of Lattier and Believe are likely interred in local cemeteries in the U.S..
All three American crew members were memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery prior to the discovery of the crash site.
Relatives
Phillip Brunskill (Francis Debenham Milne)
"As part of my search I have found an alternative crew members: Lt Church, Dial that featured in the Pongani bogging and who flew alternate
days on "Swamp Rat" as was the practise. I have found the Australian co-pilot a Len Ball and interviewed him! He has given me a story of the "Swamp Rat" ."
References
WWII Pacific Air Transport History List, Volume 1, page 350
Joe Baugher / USAAF Serial Numbers
Thanks to Michael Claringbould, Daniel Leahy, Edward Rogers and Phil Bradley for additional information.
The serial number for "Swamp Rat" is incorrectly recorded incorrectly in RAAF Serial Number List #210 as C-47 41-18601, this aircraft was operation as late as 1943. In casualty file for T/Sgt Paul, who died aboard the plane is correctly listed recorded as being 41-38601.
Contribute Information

 

RAAF Headstones and Memorial photos at Springvale Cemetery

RAAF Headstones and Memorial photos at Springvale Cemetery.

Spent today aking in excess of 230 photos of headstones and memorials at Springvale Cemetery Victoria.

Milestones and Developments*-*Welcome to Springvale Botanical Cemetery

Very warm day and look like a lobster. The grounds were beautiful with all the flowers in bloom. Looked fantastic even though they are replacing most of the grass.

 

Would not accept two photos so here is one of the CWG section.

View attachment 2557

 

A beautiful setting indeed.

 

RAAF W.R.Phillips grave

Grave of Phillips in Ipswich cemetery near to Prince Obolensky.
Have e-mailed you the full size pics Spidge. Phillips grave is under/next to tree.

 

I originally required 2891 in the UK which is now down to 231 of 75 are on 43 RAF panels at Runnymede so the number oh headstones is 199. Ireland and Scotland are complete which leaves England & Wales.

I will list the remaining cemeteries by county from the next post- If you can assist or know someone that can, I would be most appreciative.

 

Headstone Photos required - ANGLESEY

SCOTT, RONALD NORMAN BILTON Sec. 3. Grave 301. HOLYHEAD (MAESHYFRYD) BURIAL BOARD CEMETERY UK Anglesey

WOOD, GRAHAME ALBERT CREGEEN Sec. 3. Grave 315. HOLYHEAD (MAESHYFRYD) BURIAL BOARD CEMETERY UK Anglesey

 

Headstone Photos required - BEDFORDSHIRE

NEWTON , TERENCE West of Tower. CARLTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD UK Bedfordshire

NEVETT, HORACE ARTHUR Sec. 3. Row D. Grave 18. LUTON CHURCH BURIAL GROUND UK Bedfordshire

BYRNE, CALVERT PHILIP Grave 224. LUTON GENERAL CEMETERY UK Bedfordshire

 

Headstone Photos required - BERKSHIRE

MUNDAY, WYNTON SCOTT Grave 608. HARWELL CEMETERY UK Berkshire

 

Headstone Photos required - CAERNARVONSHIRE

BANNISTER, RUPERT THEODORE Grave 2184. LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON UK Caernarvonshire

LONGBOTTOM, ERIC HARVEY Grave 2183. LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON UK Caernarvonshire

MOWAT, NORMAN WARE Grave 2150. LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON UK Caernarvonshire

SHARPLEY, JACK CLARENCE Grave 2217. LLANBEBLIG PUBLIC CEMETERY, CAERNARFON UK Caernarvonshire

BLANCH, PERCY Sec. B. Row D. Grave 27. PWLLHELI BOROUGH CEMETERY UK Caernarvonshire

FORSYTH, JOHN MALCOLM Sec. B. Row C. Grave 28. PWLLHELI BOROUGH CEMETERY UK Caernarvonshire

OSTENFELD, CHRISTIAN CONRAD Sec. B. Row C. Grave 27. PWLLHELI BOROUGH CEMETERY UK Caernarvonshire

PARKER, ANTHONY RUSSELL Sec. B. Row E. Grave 24. PWLLHELI BOROUGH CEMETERY UK Caernarvonshire

RAINE, NORMAN Sec. B. Row D. Grave 24. PWLLHELI BOROUGH CEMETERY UK Caernarvonshire