LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Dudley Clive BATES
Service No: 426426
Born: Brisbane QLD, 15 October 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 22 June 1942
Unit: No. 9 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Bardney
Died: Air Operations: (No. 9 Squadron Lancaster aircraft LM361), France, 18 April 1944, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Clichy Northern Cemetery, Hauts-de-Seine, France
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William Clive and Mary Elizabeth Bates, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 118, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 2111 hours on the night of 18 April 1944 Lancaster LM361 took off from Bardney to bomb rail facilities at Juvisy, France. The aircraft was last heard on radio at 2330 hours at which time a plot was taken which fixed the aircraft’s position 18kms south east of Paris. LM361 failed to return from the mission. Just after leaving the target area, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. Four crew members were killed, one became a Prisoner of War and two evaded capture.
The crew members of LM361 were:
Flight Sergeant Dudley Clive Bates (426426) (Rear Gunner)
Sergeant Frank Heath (1337216) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Kevin William Light DFM (402447) (Mid Upper Gunner) PoW, Discharged from the RAAF: 29 October 1945
Sergeant C H Martin (1315761) (RAFVR) (Bomb Aimer) Evaded capture
Flight Sergeant Dennis Elvet Moss (1578638) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Flying Officer (later Wing Commander) James Arthur Smith DFC (413909) (O22022) (Pilot) Evaded capture, Discharged from the RAAF: 30 June 1967
Sergeant Ronald Wilson (1676659) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
In a later report Flying Officer Smith stated “He had just left the target when a large explosion was heard throughout the aircraft. He called up all the crew on the intercom and received acknowledgements from all except Flight Sergeant Bates. Two of the inboard motors were on fire, and could not be extinguished. Bale out was ordered and acknowledged by Nav and Bomb Aimer before the intercom became unserviceable. He held the aircraft for approximately 3 minutes and then abandoned the aircraft at 3,000 feet. Aircraft closing height was still under control. He did not see any member of the crew after he landed nor did he hear of their fate.”
Flight Sergeant Martin reported “We took off from Bardney on 18 April to bomb Juvisy. Reached target at 7,000 feet and dropped our bombs. About 2 seconds later there was a blinding flash under the aircraft which I believe was flak, and two engines caught fire. Both wings were on fire and the aircraft filled with smoke. All crew acknowledged OK except Rear Gunner. I checked bombs gone and Engineer tried to feather the engines. Prepare to abandon order given and put on parachute. A third engine caught fire and the aircraft drifting west and losing height quickly. Bale out ordered. I opened escape hatch and jumped at 4,000 feet. Aircraft crashed in flames ten seconds before I hit the ground I doubt if they all got out.”
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