LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Vincent Brendan O’DOWD
Service No: 429783
Born: Moonee Ponds VIC, 15 August 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 October 1942 (at Perth WA)
Unit: No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School Tiger Moth aircraft N9258), Benalla VIC, 7 July 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Benalla War Cemetery, VIC
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Amergin Oisin O’Dowd and Anna Catherine O’Dowd, of St. Kilda West.
Roll of Honour: St Kilda West VIC
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Cenotaph Undercroft, State War Memorial, Kings Park WA
During night flying on 7 July 1943, Tiger Moth N9258 dived vertically to the ground on the down wind leg of a circuit of the airfield. The crash 1 km east of the airfield killed both crew members who were:
Sergeant Frank Graham (410543) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Vincent Brendan O’Dowd (429783) (Trainee Pilot)
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 A9845, 83