LEST WE FORGET
Aircraftman Class I Patrick Thomas CONNORS
Service No: 441121
Born: Kyogle NSW, 10 February 1925
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 May 1944
Unit: No. 86 Squadron
Died: Ground Accident, Townsville QLD, 30 March 1945, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Patrick and Helena Elizabeth Connors, of Casino, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Casino NSW
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At approximately 1640 hours on 30 March 1945, Aircraftman Class I Connors, a Driver Motor Transport, was accidentally killed by a rifle shot fired by a guard on duty at the No. 86 Squadron airstrip, Townsville. The accident was caused by an error of judgement on the part of Corporal David Leslie Cunningham (18160) (Discharged: 17 December 1945) who fired with the intention of warning the driver of a vehicle by firing a shot over the cabin. The bullet entered the cabin of the vehicle striking Aircraftman Class I Connors and injuring the driver of the vehicle, Leading Aircraftman John Raymond Hewson (147262) (Discharged: 20 September 1945).
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, 108/4/230