LEST WE FORGET
Aircraftman Class I Arthur Joseph ELWELL
Service No: 88183
Born: Cygnet TAS, 7 February 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 October 1942
Unit: No. 6 Medical Receiving Station
Died: Ground Accident, Townsville, 1 May 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Townsville War Cemetery, QLD
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William Donald and Alice Josephine Elwell, of Cygnet, Tasmania
Roll of Honour: Cygnet TAS
Remembered: Panel 114, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 2015 hours on 1 May 1943, Aircraftman Class I Elwell, a General Hand, was travelling by train from Townsville to Stuart, Queensland. As he train was crossing Ross Creek railway bridge which was constructed on a decided curve, Aircraftman Elwell accidentally slipped and fell into the river. Four airmen dived into the river but had great difficulty in locating Elwell. One managed to reach him and hold him for a short time, but a strong tide swept him away. Aircraftman Elwell’s body was recovered the next day.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/11/40