LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant David Joseph O’KEEFE
Service No: 414870
Born: Rockhampton QLD, 27 October 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 10 November 1941
Unit: No. 59 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 59 Operational Training Unit Hurricane aircraft P3620), Northumberland, 7 August 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery, Yorkshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Daniel and Elizabeth O’Keeffe, of North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
Roll of Honour: Rockhampton QLD
Remembered: Panel 128, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
During a non-operational day training flight on 7 August 1943, Hurricane P3620 collided in mid-air with Hurricane P3104 and crashed at 0750 hours at Fenwick Stead, Northumberland, killing Flight Sergeant O’Keefe.
P3620 was struck by Hurricane P3104 while doing a quarter attack. The accident was due to disobedience of orders. The Pilots had been certified to do a Section attack led by Flight Lieutenant Atkinson (Instructor), who had to force land due to engine trouble. He ordered the Students to pancake, but they disobeyed this and carried out an unauthorised practice on their own.
The Pilots were:
Flight Sergeant Jack Willoughby Nancarrow (408867) (Pilot Hurricane P3104) Landed safely, Discharged from the RAAF: 9 February 1945
Flight Sergeant David Joseph O’Keefe (414870) (Pilot Hurricane P3620)
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 Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/31/91