LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Oliver James TANNER
Service No: 414170
Born: Bundaberg QLD, 10 June 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 16 August 1941
Unit: No. 623 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Downham Market
Died: Air Operations: (No. 623 Squadron Stirling aircraft EE949), Germany, 1 September 1943, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany
CWGC Additional Information: Son of James Edward and Daisy Elizabeth Jane Tanner, of North Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Bundaberg QLD
Remembered: Panel 131, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 2230 hours on 31 August 1943 Stirling EE949 took off from Downham Market to bomb Berlin. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base. Following post war enquiries and investigations, it was established that the aircraft crashed at Werbig, 9 kms north west of Belzig. The aircraft exploded on striking the ground and all crew members were killed instantly. The bodies of two crew members were recovered.
The crew members of EE949 were:
Sergeant Alfred Clifton Brooksbank (1438247) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Flight Sergeant Edwin Richard Galligan (425149) (Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Ellis Edward Huxter (135873) (RAFVR) (Navigator)
Wing Commander Edwin John Little DFC MID (thrice) (37573) (RAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant William Lowe (1683548) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant Alfred John Henry Millin (1097417) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Charles William Sweeting (990927) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Oliver James Tanner (414170) (Second Pilot)
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, 166/39/125