LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Thomas John STEEL
Service No: 428807
Born: Gosford NSW, 11 March 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 10 October 1942
Unit: RAAF Survey Flight, Lowood QLD
Died: Aircraft Accident (RAAF Survey Flight Hudson aircraft A16-47), off the Queensland Coast, 23 July 1945, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas Ashcroft Steel and Alice Steel, of Dundas, New South Wales.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 5, Sydney Memorial, Rookwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 111, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 23 July 1945, Hudson A16-47 went missing off the Queensland Coast on a travel flight from Lowood to Bowen. On board A16-47 were:
Leading Aircraftman Frank George Chiverton (22955) (Fitter IIE, Supernumerary)
Flight Lieutenant Lancelot Edward Hilmer Clarke (416567) (Pilot)
Corporal William McPherson Gaze (38868) (Wireless Operator / Mechanic, Supernumerary)
Squadron Leader Cuthbert Griffin (262191) (Administrative and Special Duties, Commanding Officer No. 14 Operational Base Unit (Lowood), Supernumerary)
Leading Aircraftman Walter Henrick Nielsen (151744) (Aircraft Hand, Supernumerary)
Squadron Leader Nigel Minter Pilcher (260750) (Pilot, Commanding Officer RAAF Survey Flight, Supernumerary)
Flying Officer Thomas John Steel (428807) (Navigator)
A16-47 is the last Hudson aircraft lost by the RAAF.
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 A9300, STEEL T J