LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Francis Lawrence CURR DFM & Bar
Service No: 404005
Born: Brisbane QLD, 21 June 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 26 April 1940
Unit: No. 33 Squadron
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), 2 October 1942 (Citation Title: No. 75 Squadron (RAF))
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 33 Squadron Tiger Moth aircraft A17-589), near Horn Island QLD, 24 September 1944, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Frederick Carlton Curr and Maude Alice Curr, of Corinda, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 9, Port Moresby Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 103, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
DFM Citation (No 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF): “Sergeant Curr has completed 58 operational sorties, 50 of which were carried out in the Middle East. Since his arrival in this country and previous to his posting to this Squadron, he attacked the heavily defended target of Hamburg and Dusseldorf. Since coming to this Squadron, he has carried out six sorties against targets in Germany, and in each case has pressed home his attack at low level and in spite of strong opposition with high courage and high strength of purpose, ensuring a large measure of success.
27 August 1942: Kassel from a height of 5,000 feet
15 September 1942: Saarbrucken from a height of 5,000 feet
2nd September 1942: Karlsruhe from a height of 4,000 feet
4th September 1942: Bremen from a height of 7,000 feet
6th September 1942: Duisburg from a height of 7,000 feet
8th September 1942: Frankfurt from a height of 1,600 feet
His showing in this unit is an indication of the manner in which his many previous sorties against the enemy have been carried out. His energetic devotion to duty has already proved to be an inspiration to all aircrew in the squadron and deserving of the highest praise. It is strongly recommended that Sergeant Curr’s outstanding work and example be recognised by the immediate award of the DFM.
Citation for the Bar to the DFM (No 156 Squadron RAF): “This NCO has carried out 50 operational sorties against the enemy in the Middle East involving 365 hours operational flying during which time he operated over Greece, the Dodecanese Islands, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Italy, displaying outstanding ability and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. Since his arrival in the United Kingdom, he has carried out a further 23 operational sorties involving 134 hours operational flying over Germany and Italy, making a total of 73 operational sorties amounting to 499 hours flown on operations. This Flight Sergeant has at all times shown the most outstanding ability and has the highest reputation in the Royal Air Force for determination, courage and ability, which have always been beyond reproach. This NCO was awarded the DFM on 2 October 1942, for gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.”
On 24 September 1944, No. 33 Squadron Tiger Moth A17-598 went missing on a flight between Daru and Horn Island. On board the aircraft were:
Flying Officer Francis Lawrence Curr DFM & Bar (404005) (Pilot)
Warrant Officer Neil Draper Kellas (VX75426) (Army) (AAPC ANGAU) (Passenger)
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 A705, 166/8/663; A9845, 48; A705, 32/15/2010
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Tiger Moth, CT-4, Wackett and Winjeel in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1991