LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Vernon Gregory Hanrahan COPAS
Service No: 404855
Born: Toowoomba QLD, 11 December 1908
Enlisted in the RAAF: 6 December 1942
Unit: No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit Blenheim aircraft L1125), Yorkshire, 4 April 1942, Aged 33 Years
Buried: Brandesburton (St Mary) Churchyard, Yorkshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Cornelius and Kathleen Copas; husband of Illeen S. R. Copas, of New Farm, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Toowoomba QLD
Remembered: Panel 120, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
During an operational training flight on 4 April 1942 Blenheim L1125 collided in mid-air with aircraft L6795 at 1930 hours during formation flying. The accident occurred 1 mile north of Skipsea, in the County of Yorkshire (later rezoned into the County of Humberside). L1125 crashed on the shore, and L6795 crashed approximately 500 yards out to sea.
The crew members of L1125 were:
Sergeant Vernon Gregory Hanrahan Copas (404855) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant George Arthur Edmonds (1207461) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Sergeant George Edward Peart (946448) (RAFVR) (Observer)
The crew members of L6795 were:
Sergeant William Thomas Braun (R/61110) (RCAF) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer John Dunbar Mair (116701) (RAFVR) (Observer)
Sergeant Frederick Ernest Sydney Warren (403100) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
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, 163/98/469