LEST WE FORGET

Leading Aircraftman William Daniel THOMAS

Service No: 57510
Born: Murtoa VIC, 11 April 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 June 1942
Unit: No. 9 Repair and Servicing Unit
Died: Ground Accident, Darwin NT, 8 October 1944, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Adelaide River War Cemetery NT
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Daniel Francis and Emma Christina Thomas, of Dimboola, Victoria
Roll of Honour: Dimboola VIC
Remembered: Panel 113, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

On 8 October 1944, Leading Aircraftman Thomas, a Fitter II Airframe, was missing from a swimming parade at Casuarina Beach, Darwin. He could not swim and was last seen at about 1600 hours in the water up to his knees proceeding towards the beach. It was later considered that there was a likelihood that he was taken by a shark after his remains were washed up on the beach.

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, 166/39/370

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