LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Raymond Alexander RIDGWAY
Service No: 421392
Born: Paddington NSW, 24 November 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 1 February 1942
Unit: No. 2 Flying Instructor School (RCAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Flying Instructor School aircraft), Alberta, 26 May 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Fort Macleod (Union) Cemetery, Alberta
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John Albert and Dorothy Sarah Ridgway, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Surry Hills NSW
Remembered: Panel 133, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 0900 hours on 26 May 1943, an aircraft from No 2 Flying Instructor School crashed seven miles west of Barons, Alberta and the crew of two were killed. The aircraft was carrying out a test flight following a major inspection. It struck the ground at high speed and broke up on impact.
The crew members were:
Leading Aircraftman Gordon William Koehler (R/155628) (RCAF) (Aero Engine Mechanic)
Sergeant Raymond Alexander Ridgway (421392) (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, 166/35/74