LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Ian Robert VIDLER
Service No: 118598
Born: Euroa VIC, 8 September 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 17 September 1942
Unit: No. 15 Service Flying Training School (RCAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 15 Service Flying Training School Anson aircraft 8627), Alberta, 21 January 1945, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Claresholm Cemetery, Alberta
CWGC Additional Information: Son of James Curran Vidler and Elsie Margaret Vidler, of Euroa, Victoria. Australia
Roll of Honour: Euroa VIC
Remembered: Panel 133, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 21 January 1945, Anson 8627 crashed on river ice at 1430 hours during a low level navigational exercise. The aircraft collided with a ferry cable suspended 25 feet above the ice, near Bassano, Alberta, and all three on board were killed in the crash.
The crew members of 8627 were:
Pilot Officer Kenneth Leslie Sutton (195512) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flight Sergeant Leslie John Tame (R/166793) (RCAF)
Leading Aircraftman Ian Robert Vidler (118598) (Trainee 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, 166/42/103