LEST WE FORGET

Leading Aircraftman Basil Colin Hely CROCKER

Service No: 453125
Born: Brisbane QLD, 11 March 1926
Enlisted in the RAAF: 14 July 1944
Unit: No. 5 Communication Unit, Garbutt (now RAAF Base Townsville) QLD
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Communication Unit Beaufort aircraft A9-733), Garbutt, 13 November 1945, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Townsville War Cemetery, QLD
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Edward Basil and Miriam Louise Crocker, of Goondiwindi.
Roll of Honour: Goondiwindi QLD
Remembered: Panel 111, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

On 13 November 1945 Beaufort aircraft A9-733 crashed at Townsville during a test flight and all on board were killed. On board were:

Leading Aircraftman Russell Aubrey Ballard (72572) (Flight Mechanic)
Leading Aircraftman Basil Colin Hely Crocker (453125) (Flight Rigger)
Leading Aircraftman Eric Francis Dunne (441124) (Fight Rigger)
Leading Aircraftman Leonard Jack Hackett (170901) (Flight Rigger)
Leading Aircraftman Frederick Robinson Palmer (46793) (Fabric Worker)
Squadron Leader Francis Henry Wann Robilliard (1973) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer Andrew James Turton (414176) (Wireless Operator Air)

References:

Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 266

Bibliography:

Wilson, S. (Stewart) Beaufort, Beaufighter and Mosquito in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1990

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