LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman John Norman George DUNN
Service No: 28046
Born: Port Pirie SA, 31 October 1907
Enlisted in the RAAF: 20 May 1940
Unit: No. 5 Communication Unit, Garbutt (now RAAF Townsville) QLD
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Communication Unit Norseman aircraft A71-1), near Thursday Island QLD, 22 August 1944, Aged 36 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John Henry and Eva Gertrude Dunn; husband of Jessie Lucy Dunn, of St. Kilda, Victoria.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 7, Sydney Memorial, Rookwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 111, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
On 22 August 1944 Norseman A71-1 departed Higgins Field (Cape York) for Merauke, New Guinea. At about 1000 hours the aircraft ditched in the Torres Strait near Thursday Island – the ditching was believed to have been caused by the loss of power. The aircraft overturned and three of the RAAF members on board were killed. On board A71-1 were:
Leading Aircraftman John Norman George Dunn (28046) (Fitter II Engines) (Crewman)
Leading Aircraftman Leslie James Hart (63374) (Passenger) travelling on posting to No. 1 Repair and Salvage Unit, Merauke, survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 19 November 1945
Corporal Victor Clifford Robinson (33134) (Passenger) travelling on posting to No. 1 Repair and Salvage Unit, Merauke, survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 5 February 1945
Flight Sergeant Frank Henry Rossiter (432268) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Alan John Stormont (130941) Injured, Killed in a Ground Accident 26 August 1944
Leading Aircraftman Clifford David Searle (76295) (Passenger) travelling on posting to No. 1 Repair and Salvage Unit, Merauke
Leading Aircraftman David Roy Tomasetti (41715) (Passenger) travelling on posting to No. 1 Repair and Salvage Unit, Merauke, survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 7 December 1945
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, 310