LEST WE FORGET
Private James Robert O’BRIEN
Service No: VX125472 (Australian Army)
Born: Daylesford VIC, 12 November 1925
Enlisted in the Army: 18 May 1943
Unit: No. 12 Air Maintenance Platoon AASC
Died: Aircraft Accident: (No. 36 Squadron Dakota aircraft A65-39), Tadji New Guinea, 3 May 1945, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Lae War Cemetery PNG
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John Michael and Mary Jane O’Brien, of Daylesford, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Daylesford VIC
Remembered: Panel 83, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 3 May 1945, No. 36 Squadron Dakota A65-39 failed to return from a supply drop mission and crashed in the Housicep – Tadji area at about 0800 hours that morning. Army patrols were initially unable to locate the aircraft and the rescued efforts had to be abandoned but the wreck was later located and the remains recovered. On board A65-39 were:
Flight Lieutenant Stanley Charles Akers (400767) (Pilot)
Private Alan Henry Hobson (QX18471) (12 Air Maintenance Platoon AASC)
Lance Corporal Alfred Joseph Kronlage (QX25642) (12 Air Maintenance Platoon AASC)
Flight Sergeant Jack Wallace Lawson (433924) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant William James McInroy (449609) (Navigator)
Private James Robert O’Brien (VX125472) (12 Air Maintenance Platoon AASC)
Private Athol Roy Palmer (NX154450) (12 Air Maintenance Platoon AASC)
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 B883, VX125472; A9845, 117
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Dakota, Hercules and Caribou in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1990