LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Eric Arthur GIRDLER
Service No: 404052
Born: Esk QLD, 29 September 1913
Enlisted in the RAAF: 29 April 1940
Unit: No. 3 Service Flying Training School, RAAF Station Amberley QLD
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 3 Service Flying Training School Anson aircraft W1535), Casino NSW, 4 March 1941, Aged 27 Years
Buried: Ipswich General Cemetery, Queensland
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Arthur William Barwell Girdler and Heather Elizabeth Florence Girdler, of Imbil
Roll of Honour: Imbil QLD
Remembered: Panel 115, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 0940 hours on 4 March 1941, Ansons W1535 and W1533 collided at approximately 2,500 feet during a navigation cross country exercise, some 11 miles north west of Casino, New South Wales and Leading Aircraftman Girdler was killed in the accident. Wl533 damaged the tail of W1535 and W1535 went into an uncontrolled spin. Both aircraft were detailed to carry out individually the cross country exercise, but contrary to orders, the aircraft joined up and were flying in formation when the accident occurred. W1533 landed safely at the Casino aerodrome.
The crew members of W1535 were:
Leading Aircraftman Eric Arthur Girdler (404052) (Trainee Observer)
Leading Aircraftman John Joseph O,Brien (404258) (Trainee Pilot) Baled out, Discharged from the RAAF: 30 October 1945
The crew members of W1533 were:
Leading Aircraftman Roy McDowall Beattie DFM (404228) (Trainee Pilot) Safe, Killed on Air Operations: 2 July 1945
Leading Aircraftman Percy Raymund Smith (404265) (Trainee Pilot) Safe, Discharged from the RAAF: 8 October 1945
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, 53/1/910