LEST WE FORGET
Pilot Officer Francis Edwin MATHERS CGM
Service No: 413221
Born: Sydney NSW, 8 November 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 16 August 1941
Unit: No. 77 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Elvington
Awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 77 Squadron Halifax aircraft JB839), Germany, 6 September 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Durnbach War Cemetery, Bad Tolz, Bayern, Germany
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Francis and Eunice Jane Mathers, of Pagewood, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 127, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
CGM Citation: “One night in June 1943, Sergeants French and Speedie were the Wireless Air Gunner and Rear Gunner respectively of an aircraft piloted by Flight Sergeant Mathers, which attacked Mulheim. Whilst over the target area the bomber was subjected to heavy fire from the ground defences and repeatedly hit. Two engines were rendered unserviceable in quick succession, while the starboard aileron control was shot away and three petrol tanks were pierced, all of which leaked rapidly. In spite of this, Flight Sergeant Mathers flew clear of the defences and set course for this country. On the return flight, the bomber gradually lost height and all moveable equipment, including the guns of the mid upper turret and some ammunition were jettisoned. Shortly after crossing the enemy coast the disabled aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter. In the ensuing engagement Sergeant Speedie successfully used his guns and eventually with a devastating burst from close range, he shot the attacker down into the sea. The bomber was down to 500 feet but, displaying superb airmanship Flight Sergeant Mathers, receiving much assistance from Sergeant French who diligently worked the wireless apparatus to obtain direction fixes, struggled on to reach an airfield near the coast. Although the undercarriage could not be lowered, this Pilot successfully completed a crash landing. In most harassing circumstances Flight Sergeant Mathers displayed exceptional skill, courage and fortitude, while Sergeants French and Speedie displayed conduct worthy of the highest praise.”
At 1932 hours on the night of 5 September 1943, Halifax JB839 took off from Elvington detailed to bomb Mannheim, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base. A 1946 report by a Missing Research and Enquiry team stated “A local priest reported that an aircraft was seen at approximately 0100 hours approaching from the direction of Bruchsal flying at a very low altitude. It crashed in swampy ground between the villages of Rheinjhausen and Oberhausen, Germany.” All the crew members were killed.
The crew members of JB839 were:
Sergeant Kenneth Arthur Adams (1576379) (RAFVR) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant Edward George Owen French DFM (1332367) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant William Goldsbrough (1040030) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Roy Gough (1184858) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Pilot Officer Francis Edwin Mathers CGM (413221) (Pilot)
Sergeant Guy Anthony Muffett (1802465) (RAFVR) (Mid Upper Gunner)
Flying Officer William Rhymer Simpson (130239) (RAFVR) (Navigator) (Air Gunner Instructor)
Flight Sergeant William Fisher Speedie DFM (155010) (RAFVR) (Rear 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 Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/27/130