LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Wallace James COWEY
Service No: 430644
Born: Auburn VIC, 6 December 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 26 February 1943
Unit: No. 18 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 18 Squadron Mitchell aircraft N5-177), New Guinea, 18 May 1944, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of James Picken Cowey and Annie Louisa Cowey, of The Patch, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Column 9, Ambon memorial, Indonesia
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 18 May 1944, N5-177 was one of six No. 18 Squadron Mitchell aircraft tasked on an offensive sweep of Saumlaki in the Tanimbar Islands. Over Saumlaki, N5-177 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and one engine burst into flames. The aircraft turned over and crashed into the village with a large explosion followed by a fierce fire. All six crew members were killed.
The crew members of N5-177 were:
Sergeant F Belling (NEIAF) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant Wallace James Cowey (430644) (Tail Gunner)
Lieutenant J Geerke (NEIAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant L Heijs (NEIAF) (Top Gunner)
Lieutenant E Soute (NEIAF) (Bombardier)
Sergeant P Wallaard (NEIAF) (Wireless Operator)
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 A9845, 24