LEST WE FORGET

Leading Aircraftman Henry James PHIPPS

Service No: 402879
Born: Woonona NSW, 3 December 1914
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 November 1940
Unit: No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Forrest Hill NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-172), near Wagga Wagga NSW, 20 June 1941, Aged 26 Years
Cremated: Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Henry James Phipps and Elizabeth Jane Phipps; husband of Eileen Betty Phipps, of Chatswood
Roll of Honour: Woonona NSW
Remembered: Panel 5, NSW Cremation Memorial
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

At 1015 hours on 20 June 1941, Wirraway A20-172 crashed, in Murraguldrie Pine Forest approximately 30 miles south east of Wagga Wagga towards Turramburry Weir and the crew of two was killed. The accident occurred on a flying practice flight, when due to a sudden deterioration in the weather conditions with low cloud and fog, the aircraft dived through cloud and burst into flames on impact while attempting a forced landing.

The crew members of A20-172 were:

Leading Aircraftman Henry James Phipps (402879) (Trainee Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Norman Hollis Rogers (403076) (Trainee Pilot)

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, 163/150/71; A9845, 107

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