LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Roy Ernest Frederick SAWYER
Service No: 403113
Born: Hornsby NSW, 13 September 1917
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 December 1940
Unit: No. 601 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Debden, Essex
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 601 Squadron Aircobra aircraft), Essex, 13 December 1941, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Saffron Walden Cemetery, Essex
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Harry Ernest and Mary Jane Sawyer, of Punchbowl, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Sydney NSW
Remembered: Panel 130, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 1030 hours on 13 December 1941, an Aircobra flown by Sergeant Sawyer crashed 100 yards from the perimeter wire at Debden and he was killed. The accident was attributed to an error of judgement by the pilot, when making an approach to landing.
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, 163/160/140