LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman John Cochrane SMAIL
Service No: 412274
Born: Chatswood NSW, 1 September 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 22 June 1941
Unit: No.1 Service Flying Training School, RAAF Station Point Cook VIC
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-392), Point Cook, 19 November 1941, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Cremated
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Alexander and Annie Smail, of Randwick, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Coffs Harbour NSW
Remembered: Victoria Cremation Memorial, Springvale VIC
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
During takeoff at 1100 hours on 19 November 1941, Wirraway A20-392 struck machinery on the airfield and crashed into trees killing both crew members who were:
Flying Officer Harry Thompson Green (407118) Instructor
Leading Aircraftman John Cochrane Smail (412274) Student
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/162/228
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Wirraway, Boomerang and CA-15 in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1991