LEST WE FORGET

Air Operations: (No. 9 Squadron Seagull V aircraft A2-24), Tasman Sea, 6 April 1941

On 6 April 1941, the catapult failed during the launch from HMAS Australia of Seagull A2-24 and the pilot, Lieutenant Hoath RN, was killed in the ensuing crash. The other two crew members were rescued.

The crew members of A2-24 were:

Petty Officer (Air) Richard Clark (26914) (RAN) (Observer) Seriously injured, Discharged from the RAN: 16 December 1942
Lieutenant John James Hoath RN (Pilot)
Leading Seaman George Archibald Stanton Stephenson (RN) (FAA/FX 77482) (Telegraphist Air Gunner) Seriously injured (Died on Service: 4 September 1944, Aged 25 Years)

Lieutenant Hoath replaced Flight Lieutenant Clarke (RAAF) (119) who was killed at Dakar, French West Africa, on 25 September 1940.

References:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 192

Bibliography:

Gillett, R. (Ross) Wings Across the Sea: the first ever complete history of naval aviation from the first world war to the present, Aerospace Publications, 1988

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