LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Wilson John BIRRELL
Service No: 41755
Born: North Geelong VIC, 22 February 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 July 1941
Unit: No. 3 Personnel Pool
Died: Drowned, Coolangatta QLD, 15 December 1945, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Brisbane (Lutwyche) Cemetery QLD
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Wilson and Edith Birrell, of East Geelong, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Geelong VIC
Remembered: Panel 114, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 15 December 1945, Leading Aircraftman Birrell, a Painter, was accidentally drowned at Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta, when he was swept out to sea in a heavy undertow. He was waiting transport to his posting to No. 81 Wing.
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, 166/5/1422