LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Maxwell David RAVELL
Service No: 412268
Born: Sydney NSW, 30 March 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 22 June 1941
Unit: No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Forrest Hill NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-237), near Ladysmith NSW, 20 February 1942, Aged 19 Years
Cremated: Rookwood Crematorium, Sydney NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of David Clarence and Lilian Jane Ravell, of Forster
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 5, NSW Cremation Memorial
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Honour Rolls, Sydney NSW
At 0820 hours on 20 February 1942, Wirraway A20-237 crashed at Pools Creek near Ladysmith, New South Wales, and both the crew members were killed. The aircraft had been engaged in formation flying practice and, when on the leaders signal they broke formation, A20-237 crashed with full engine when returning to the aerodrome.
The crew members of A20-237 were:
Leading Aircraftman Maxwell David Ravell (412268) (Trainee Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Albert William Sparks (412734) (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, 163/155/74; A9845, 109
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line
Bibliography:
Ilbery, P.L.T. (Peter Leslie Thomas) (422957) Hatching an Air Force: 2SFTS, 5SFTS, 1BFTS Uranquinty and Wagga Wagga, Banner Books Maryborough QLD 4650, 2002