LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Charles McALLISTER
Service No: 23352
Born: Brisbane QLD, 29 May 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 12 August 1940
Unit: No. 23 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 23 Squadron Vengeance aircraft A27-276), near Alexishaven, New Guinea, 24 February 1944, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Lae War Cemetery PNG
CWGC Additional Information: Son of William and Sophie McAllister; husband of Joyce Adelaide McAllister, of Norman Park, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 24 February 1944, Vultee Vengeance A27-276 was attacking enemy positions in the Hansa Bay area. At about 1230 hours, A27-276 appeared to be hit by anti-aircraft fire and its engine was damaged. The aircraft started the return journey to Nadzab with the other aircraft, but fell away with black smoke coming from the engine. A27-276 was last seen flying through cloud south west of Alexishaven, New Guinea. In a post war report by a RAAF search party, the wreck of the aircraft and the remains of Flying Officer McAllister were found. It was also established that Flight Sergeant McDonald survived the crash and local inhabitants had looked after him for about 8 or 9 days. However others told the Japanese and he was captured and became a Prisoner of War. He was subsequently executed by the Japanese on the 31 March 1944 and no trace of his remains was found.
The crew members of A270276 were:
Flying Officer Charles McAllister (23352) (Navigator)
Flight Sergeant Frank Graeme McDonald (418154) (Pilot)
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, 166/26/384; A9845, 223