LEST WE FORGET

Sergeant David Richard James EDWARDS

Service No: 417295
Born: Cleve SA, 21 August 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 March 1942
Unit: No. 2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier, SA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Air Observers School Anson aircraft W2574), near Nhill VIC, 13 May 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Nhill Public Cemetery, VIC
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Richard and Deborah Isabella Edwards, of Woodville, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Woodville SA
Remembered: Panel 115, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide

On 13 May 1943, Avro Anson W2574 dived into the ground at a steep angle and at high speed 14 kms east of Nhill, killing all on board.

The crew members of W2574 were:

Leading Aircraftman Victor Vernon Darby (418354) (Aircrew II)
Sergeant David Richard James Edwards (417295) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sergeant Victor Keith Jordan (408457) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Pilot Officer Harold Wilfred Rash (427546) (Second Pilot)
Flying Officer Leonard Fraser Gillespie Seabrook (406878) (First Pilot)

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, 78

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