LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Colin Cameron MARTIN
Service No: 420023
Born: Bondi NSW, 5 September 1919
Enlisted in the RAAF: 10 October 1941
Unit: No. 24 Squadron
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 24 Squadron Wirraway aircraft A20-104), near Chipping Norton NSW, 28 March 1943, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Sydney War Cemetery
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Rupert Cameron Martin and Nellie Martin, of Strathfield
Roll of Honour: Strathfield NSW
Remembered: Panel 102, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Strathfield World War II Roll of Honour, Strathfield NSW
In poor weather on the 28 March 1943, Wirraways A20-104 and A20-516 collided during a non-operational formation flying practice and both pilots were either incapacitated or killed in the collision and did not bale out. The other two crew members were slightly injured and parachuted to safety.
The crew members of A20-104 were:
Flying Officer Thomas George Britton (266505) (Administrative and Special Duties, Supernumerary) Baled out, Slightly injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 19 December 1945
Sergeant Colin Cameron Martin (420023) (Pilot)
The crew members of A20-516 were:
Sergeant Gordon Ronald Campbell (420137) (Pilot)
Sergeant Douglas James Pearce Handbury (420747) (Wireless Air Gunner) Baled out, Slightly Injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 13 September 1945
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/27/83; A9845, 173
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line