LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant James AUSTIN
Service No: 404699
Born: Glasgow Scotland, 20 August 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 8 November 1940 (at Brisbane QLD)
Unit: No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (later renamed to No. 87 Squadron)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit Brewster Buffalo aircraft A51-5) near Derby WA, 25 September 1942, Aged 26 Years
Buried: Geraldton War Cemetery WA
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Robert Blackie Austin and Jean Austin, of Armidale, New South Wales.
Roll of Honour: Armidale NSW
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Armidale Dumaresq Council War Memorial Library, Armidale NSW
On 25 September 1942, Brewster Buffalo A51-5 was engaged in a flight from Darwin to Broome with some important stores. The pilot, Sergeant Austin, may have lost his way and decided to land near a house. Mr Archer, the owner of the house, saw the aircraft circle twice, and waved to the pilot who waved back. Then the pilot lowered the undercarriage and opened the hood preparing to land. A few seconds later, the aircraft apparently stalled and crashed vertically into the ground.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/89/28
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line
Bibliography:
Vincent, D. (David) Mosquito Monograph: A History of Mosquitoes in Australia and RAAF Operations, David Vincent Highbury SA 5089, 1982