LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman William Elliott MARKS
Service No: 438000
Born: Mudgee NSW, 28 June 1914
Enlisted in the RAAF: 21 July 1943 (at Sydney NSW)
Unit: No. 5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-55), near Wagga Wagga NSW, 11 May 1944, Aged 29 Years
Buried: Wagga Wagga General Cemetery, NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William Gardiner Marks and Marion Edith Isabel Marks, of Mendooran.
Roll of Honour: Binnaway NSW
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Remembered: Binnaway Roll of Honour, Binnaway NSW
Leading Aircraftman Marks is listed on the South Australian Memorial; the reason for this is not clear.
At 1001 hours on 11 May 1944, Wirraway A20-55 appeared to spin out of control and then crash after emerging from cloud during a dual flying check. The cause of the accident 3 kms south west of the Yarragundry satellite airfield is recorded as unknown. The crew members of A20-55 were:
Leading Aircraftman William Elliott Marks (438000) (Trainee Pilot)
Flight Lieutenant George Joseph O’Sullivan (406406) (Pilot)
References:
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 103
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Wirraway, Boomerang and CA-15 in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1991