LEST WE FORGET

Flying Officer Noel George BURNELL

Service No: 409289
Born: Berri SA, 11 December 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 August 1941 (at Melbourne VIC)
Unit: No. 23 Squadron, Nadzab
Died: Air Operations: (No. 23 Squadron Vengeance aircraft A27-275), near Hansa Bay, New Guinea, 24 February 1944, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Reginald George and Ida May Burnell, of Ivanhoe, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Heidelberg VIC
Remembered: Panel 6, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

On 24 February 1944, Vultee Vengeance A27-275 was one of 12 aircraft from No. 23 Squadron detailed to attack enemy positions at Hansa Bay, New Guinea. During the attack A27-275 appeared to be hit by anti-aircraft fire and failed to return from the mission. Post war searches found no trace of the missing aircraft or crew members.

The crew members of A27-275 were:

Flying Officer Noel George Burnell (409289) (Pilot)
Captain William Phillip Watson (NX112723) (Army) (Supernumerary)

References:

Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/6/433

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