LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Edward John HARLAND
Service No: 71457
Born: Dubbo NSW, 13 July 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 20 October 1942
Unit: No. 7 Transportation and Movements Office, Tadji PNG
Died: Drowned, off Lae PNG, 5 March 1945, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Margaret Harland, of Nymagee, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Nymagee NSW
Remembered: Panel 7, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 114, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 5 March 1945, Leading Aircraftman Harland, a General Hand, was reported missing and drowned. He has been engaged in recreational surfing when he was caught in a severe wash. A poor swimmer, he was aided by others who in turn got into difficulty and could no longer support Leading Aircraftman Harland who sank. A search by a crash boat could find no sign of his body and he has no known grave.
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, 166/17/1064