LEST WE FORGET

Pilot Officer Wallace Edgar OSMOND

Service No: 421929
Born: Goulburn NSW, 18 November 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 24 April 1942
Unit: No. 226 Squadron (RAF)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 226 Squadron Mitchell aircraft FW146), Netherlands, 19 November 1944, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Donald and Vera May Osmond, of Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Goulburn NSW
Remembered: Panel 128, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Goulburn-Mulwaree Honour Roll 1939-1972, Goulburn NSW

On 19 November 1944 Mitchell FW146 was reported missing during an operational mission in the Netherlands. Immediately after bombing, the starboard wing was seen to receive a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire just outboard of the engine. The aircraft broke away from the formation, turned upside down and was last seen going down in an uncontrollable dive from a height of about 6,000 feet. Five of the crew members were killed and Warrant Officer Cote returned safely to the UK.

The crew members of FW146 were:

Squadron Leader Gilbert Campbell DFC (46638) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Warrant Officer J F Cote (R/82474) (RCAF) (Air Gunner) Safe
Flying Officer Douglas Gerald Farquhar DFC (139615) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Flying Officer John Lawry Halliday (142460) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Pilot Officer William Hodson (185072) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Pilot Officer Wallace Edgar Osmond (421929) (Wireless Air Gunner)

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, 166/31/272
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line

Book Now Book Now