LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Alfred Leslie AUGUSTINUS
Service No: 401183
Born: Talbot VIC, 28 April 1909
Enlisted in the RAAF: 4 January 1941
Unit: No. 47 Squadron (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 47 Squadron Beaufort aircraft DE118), Egypt, 18 November 1942, Aged 33 Years
Buried: El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Henry and Isabella Jane Augustinus; husband of Mollie Augustinus, of Murrumbeena, Victoria, Australia. A.F.I.A., A.A.I.S.
Roll of Honour: Melbourne VIC
Remembered: Panel 118, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 18 November 1942 Beaufort DE118 struck high ground 50 miles south of Sidi Heneish, and the torpedo on board exploded. Two of the five on board the aircraft were killed.
An investigation into the accident expressed the opinion that “the pilot was intently studying a map while the aircraft was losing height preparatory to a low flying torpedo practice, when the aircraft hit the ground.” After the aircraft came to rest the three who survived the crash managed to get out of the burning aircraft with the ammunition exploding. The torpedo exploded shortly after and the two in the aircraft were killed.
The crew members of DE118 were:
Sergeant Alfred Leslie Augustinus (401183) (Observer)
Flying Officer C A H Collier (82199) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner) Uninjured
Leading Aircraftman F D Isbell (1254814) (RAFVR) (Passenger Slightly injured
Sergeant J C M Lake (R/74837) (RCAF) (Wireless Air Gunner) Uninjured
Wing Commander Richard Alfonso Sprague DFC (26067) (RAF) (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, 163/89/39