LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Harry William LONG
Service No: 403352
Born: Rockdale NSW, 14 August 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 6 January 1941
Unit: No. 2 Service Flying Training School RCAF
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Flying Training School Harvard aircraft 2689), Ontario, 15 August 1941, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Ottawa (Beechwod) Cemetery, Ontario
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Arthur Henry and Brenda Mary Long, of Balgowlah, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Manly NSW
Remembered: Panel 133, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Manly ANZAC War Memorial, Manly NSW
Remembered: Former Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Head Office Honour Rolls, Sydney NSW
On 15 August 1941, Harvard 2689 flown by Leading Aircraftman Long was detailed to carry out a solo night training flight. At about 0230 hours, the Instructor in charge of night flying noticed lights of an aircraft which appeared to be flying against the circuit, gliding along at a height of about 100 feet some two miles away. It disappeared and instructions were given for all aircraft flying at that time to be grounded. It was then found that Harvard 2689 with Long as Pilot was missing and searches were commenced. The wreck of the aircraft was found 5 kms from the aerodrome. The pilot was seriously injured and subsequently died.
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, 163/139/60
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line