LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Hugh O’RORKE
Service No: 449012
Born: Westmere VIC, 4 November 1925
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 January 1944
Unit: No. 5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-7), near The Rock NSW, 12 June 1945, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Wagga Wagga War Cemetery, NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Hugh Michael and Dorothy Elizabeth O’Rorke, of Westmere, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Westmere VIC
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 12 June 1945, Leading Aircraftman O’Rorke, a Trainee Pilot, flying Wirraway A20-7 was detailed to carry out a solo night non-operational patrol between Forest Hill and The Rock and briefed to fly at 3,000 feet. The aircraft crashed six miles west of The Rock and Leading Aircraftman O’Rorke was killed. It was considered that the cause of the accident was loss of control of the aircraft during night flying.
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, 166/31/376