LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Alan Gilbert POTTER
Service No: 417302
Born: Warracknabeal VIC, 26 February 1913
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 March 1942 (at Adelaide SA)
Unit: No. 5 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Operational Training Unit Beaufort aircraft JM451), Northern Ireland, 23 July 1943, Aged 30 Years
Buried: Eglantine Church of Ireland Cemetery, County Down, Northern Ireland
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Joseph and Marion Ruth Potter; husband of Eunice Laurel Potter, of Prospect, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Lameroo SA
Remembered: Panel 128, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
On 23rd July 1943 Beaufort JM451 was detailed to carry out a non operational daytime map reading, air to air firing, photography and QCM training exercise. The aircraft crashed at 1035 hours 8 kms west of Swatragh, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and all the crew members were killed.
The crew members of JM451 were:
Flying Officer Maurice John William Aspinall (J/14046) (RCAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant Eric Charles Buttle (1207235) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Reginald Douglas Eaglen (1027840) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Alan Gilbert Potter (417302) (Navigator Bomb Aimer)
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 Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/33/56