LEST WE FORGET
Warrant Officer Geoffrey GEAR
Service No: 415577
Born: Wellington New Zealand, 19 October 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 November 1941 (at Perth WA)
Unit: No. 35 Squadron, Guildford WA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 35 Squadron Tiger Moth aircraft A17-655), Scarborough WA, 2 November 1944, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Karrakatta War Cemetery WA
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George and Elsie Victoria Gear, of Coolgardie.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 103, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Cenotaph Undercroft, State War Memorial, Kings Park WA
Squadron Tiger Moth A17-655 (Warrant Officer George Gear (415577) and Warrant Officer Hector Gordon Rielly (410727)) crashed at Scarborough and burnt out. Both pilots were killed. Their loss is deeply felt as they were popular members of the Squadron and the Service has lost two valuable pilots.
No. 35 Squadron Operations Record Book A50 Entry dated 2 November 1944.
The Funeral of Warrant officer Gear took place this day at Karrakatta Cemetery. Fellow Warrant officers of this squadron acted as Pall Bearers and there were approximately 60 other members present at the ceremony. Wreaths were sent by the Squadron and Officers’ and Sergeants’. Messes.
No. 35 Squadron Operations Record Book A50 Entry dated 4 November 1944.
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
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (Perth) On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 50