LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Frank Graeme McDONALD
Service No: 418154
Born: East Malvern VIC, 29 September 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 25 April 1942
Unit: No. 23 Squadron
Died: Prisoner of War (Executed) (from the loss of No. 23 Squadron Vengeance aircraft A27-276 on 24 February 1944), New Guinea, 31 March 1944, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John Alexander McDonald and Elizabeth Ivy Georgina McDonald, of East Malvern, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 7, Lae Memorial PNG
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 (along with Pilot Officer Leslie Stewart (418197)) on 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 A9301, 418154; A9845, 223