LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Gordon Arthur ARNOLD
Service No: 402456
Born: Hay NSW, 29 April 1914
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 August 1940
Unit: No. 108 Squadron (RAF)
Died: Air Operations (No. 108 Squadron Wellington aircraft DV662), Egypt, 6 July 1942, Aged 28 Years
Buried: Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Charles Duncan Arnold and Mabel Mary Arnold, of Rock Flat, New South Wales, Australia.
Roll of Honour: Cooma NSW
Remembered: Panel 118, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 6 July 1942 Wellington DV662 was detailed to carry out an operational sortie over the battle area in the vicinity of El Daba. The aircraft had completed the mission and was about to leave when it was attacked by German aircraft. During the engagement Flight Sergeant Arnold was severely wounded. The pilot succeeded in shaking off the enemy aircraft by diving to the ground and pulling out at the last moment, and bringing the aircraft to Kabrit. The Captain and the Rear Gunner rendered first aid assistance to Flight Sergeant Arnold but he died shortly after being lifted out of the aircraft.
The crew members of DV662 were:
Sergeant Anderson (1007346) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Gordon Arthur Arnold (402456) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant A Cohen (65476) (RAFVR) (Observer)
Sergeant Cross (1314932) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant J Metcalfe (1058645) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Sergeant A M Treherne (1256567) (RAFVR) (Second Pilot)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/88/125