LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Kevin Vincent SHEAHAN
Service No: 118975
Born: Ivanhoe VIC, 23 April 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 29 September 1942
Unit: No. 22 Squadron
Died: Accident: Morotai, 23 April 1945, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Edward and Stella Margaret Sheahan, of Lower Templestowe, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Templestowe VIC
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At approximately 0900 hours on 23 April1945 at the Wama airstrip, Morotai, No. 77 Squadron Kittyhawk A29-900 was taking off when a bomb fell from the aircraft and exploded. Several personnel from No. 22 Squadron were employed on normal maintenance duties on Beaufighter aircraft parked in the dispersal bays allotted to No. 22 Squadron, and about 200 yards from the scene of the explosion. Fragments of the bomb struck six aircraft and three personnel from No. 22 Squadron. Leading Aircraftman Sheahan, a Flight Mechanic, received severe abdominal wounds from which he died at 1430 hours on the same day. The two other personnel were injured and the Pilot of the Kittyhawk, Flying Officer Kenneth Hugh McFadden (422017) was also killed.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/3711047