LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Leslie William OAKES
Service No: 432249
Born: Hunters Hill NSW, 20 September 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 5 December 1942
Unit: No. 2 Air Observers’ School (RCAF), Edmonton, Alberta
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Air Observers’ School aircraft), Alberta, 29 October 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Edmonton (Beechmount) Cemetery, Alberta
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Roy Manton Oakes and Elizabeth Keziah Oakes, of Hunter’s Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Hunters Hill NSW
Remembered: Panel 133, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Municipality of Hunters Hill War Memorial Honour Rolls, Hunters Hill NSW
On a routine night navigation flight on the 29th October 1943, Anson 6269 crashed 5 kms north east of Cooking Lake Airport, Alberta, killing all four crew members. The crew members were:
Sergeant Leonard Alfred Easther (429801) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Ralph Percy Gibson (R/157276) (RCAF) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman James Glen Hennessy (42715) (RNZAF) (Trainee Observer)
Leading Aircraftman Leslie William Oakes (432249) (Trainee Observer)
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 Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/31/118
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line