LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Harold Edward STOCKER
Service No: 75207
Born: Brisbane QLD, 18 July 1911
Enlisted in the RAAF: 14 April 1942
Unit: No. 4 Squadron
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 54 Troop Carrier Wing USAAF Douglas aircraft 42-23698), near Wau PNG, 27 August 1943, Aged 32 Years
Buried: Lae War Cemetery PNG
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Fredrick Harold and Delia Francis Stocker; husband of Annie Dorothy Stocker, of Pomona, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Pomona QLD
Remembered: Panel 98, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 27 August 1943, three members of a detachment of No. 4 Sqn at Wau were returning to Base by air transport. The transport consisted of 4 Douglas aircraft supplied by No. 54 Troop Carrier Wing USAAF. Shortly after leaving Wau, 42-23698 lost height and crashed. One engine appeared to have stopped and all on board were killed. The Douglas carried a crew of four and the three members of No. 4 Squadron as passengers.
Crew:
Flight Officer Robert P Hutson (Pilot)
Corporal Sidney Israel (USAAC)
Second Lieutenant Melvin L Kinney (O-669483) (USAAC) (Co-Pilot)
Staff Sergeant Frank A Wise (USAAC)
Passengers:
Corporal Henry Edward Conway (43081) (Fitter Armourer)
Leading Aircraftman Harold Edward Stocker (75207) (Armament Assistant)
Leading Aircraftman John Brough Tarrant (51601) (Armourer)
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, 166/38/25
Pacificwrecks.com Website