LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman John Gordon MASLEN
Service No: 416356
Born: Knightsbridge SA, 19 March 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 24 May 1941
Unit: No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala SA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 6 Service Flying Training School Anson aircraft W2257), Mallala, 14 October 1941, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Port Adelaide and Suburban Cemetery, SA
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Arnold Hamilton Maslen and Esther Maslen, of Hazelwood Park
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
At 0830 hours on 14 October 1941, Anson aircraft W2254 and W2257 had a mid-air collision at Mallala and all four crew members from both aircraft were killed.
The crew members of W2257 were:
Leading Aircraftman John Gordon Maslen (416356) (Trainee Pilot)
Pilot Officer Charles Edwards Somerville (402680) (Pilot)
The crew members of W2254 were:
Sergeant Ian Bruce Blacker (407163) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Bernard George Hutchins (408654) (Trainee Pilot)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 100