LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Ian Stewart ROSS
Service No: 18839
Born: Camperdown VIC, 28 March 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 7 October 1940
Unit: No. 617 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Woodhall Spa
Died: Air Operations: (No. 617 Squadron Lancaster aircraft NF992), off the Norwegian Coast, 12 January 1945, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Alexander McLachlan Ross, and of Christina Lillian Ross, of Alphington, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Heidelberg VIC
Remembered: Panel 283, Runnymede Memorial, Surrey UK
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 0846 hours on 12 January 1945 Lancaster NF992 took off from Woodhall Spa to attack shipping and U-Boat pens at Bergen, Norway. While in the target area at approximately 1300 hours, the aircraft was seen to lose an engine. The bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft set course for base. An enemy fighter attacked and was believed to have damaged the aircraft. NF 992 was successfully ditched at 59.57N 004.15E. Another Lancaster circled and reported the position. Five or more members of the crew were seen to climb onto the wing. Another returning aircraft reported seeing seven members of the crew. The machine was still afloat after 30 minutes. An Air Sea Rescue Warwick aircraft subsequently dropped an airborne lifeboat and it is believed survivors got on board. The Warwick then left the area on the approach of hostile aircraft. No further news was then received or heard of the missing crew. Following post war enquiries and investigations it was established that the body of Flying Officer Ellwood was washed ashore on the Aasvar Islands. In 1949 it was recorded that the remaining members of the crew had lost their lives at sea.
The crew members of NF992 were:
Warrant Officer Sydney Ross Anderson DFM (1098277) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Flying Officer Mowbray Ellwood DFM MID (54542) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator)
Flight Sergeant Leslie Douglas Griffiths (1580829) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Alexander Farley McKellar (176945) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Ian Stewart Ross (18839) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer Edward George Tilby (184159) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Flight Sergeant William Walter (1866667) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
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, 166/36/441