LEST WE FORGET

Sergeant Graham Melville HART

Service No: 407236
Born: Edithburgh SA, 24 November 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 17 August 1940
Unit: No. 21 Squadron (SAAF), Landing Ground 76, Egypt
Died: Air Operations (No. 21 Squadron Maryland aircraft 1614), Eastern Mediterranean, 12 December 1941, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Wilfred Jacob and Eleanor Jane Hart, of Fullarton, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Adelaide SA
Remembered: Column 246, Alamein Memorial, Egypt
Remembered: Panel 123, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide

On 12 December 1941 Maryland 1614 of No. 21 Squadron was one of two Maryland aircraft detailed to patrol the sea 40 miles north of Derna, with the intention of intercepting JU 52’s engaged in ferrying personnel and equipment from Crete. Shortly after commencing the patrol, both aircraft were attacked by enemy fighters, and Maryland 1614 which did not return from this mission was last seen with an enemy aircraft on its tail. Following post war enquiries and investigations, it was recorded in 1948 that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea.

The crew members of 1614 were:

Sergeant William John Dillon (404142) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sergeant Graham Melville Hart (407236) (Observer)
Lieutenant Trevor Lloyd Parry (103104V) (SAAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant John Edward Phelps (102130) (SAAF) (Air Gunner)

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 Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/120/336

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