LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Gordon Ronald CAMPBELL
Service No: 420137
Born: Hunters Hill NSW, 20 August 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 October 1941
Unit: No. 24 Squadron
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 24 Squadron Wirraway aircraft A20-516), near Chipping Norton NSW, 28 March 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Sydney War Cemetery
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George and Ethel Milfred Campbell, of Gladesville
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 102, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
In poor weather on the 28 March 1943, Wirraways A20-104 and A20-516 collided during a non-operational formation flying practice and both pilots were either incapacitated or killed in the collision and did not bale out. The other two crew members were slightly injured and parachuted to safety.
The crew members of A20-516 were:
Sergeant Gordon Ronald Campbell (420137) (Pilot)
Sergeant Douglas James Pearce Handbury (420747) (Wireless Air Gunner) Baled out, Slightly Injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 13 September 1945
The crew members of A20-104 were:
Flying Officer Thomas George Britton (266505) (Administrative and Special Duties, Supernumerary) Baled out, Slightly injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 19 December 1945
Sergeant Colin Cameron Martin (420023) (Pilot)
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, 166/7/59; A9845, 173