LEST WE FORGET

Flight Lieutenant Albert Ernest WATKIN

Service No: 405265
Born: Bundaberg QLD, 21 October 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 1 March 1941
Unit: No. 452 Squadron, Strauss NT
Died: Aircraft Accident (21st Troop Carrier Squadron USAAF Douglas aircraft 42-23420), near Springsure QLD, 16 November 1943, Aged 27 Years
Buried: Rockhampton War Cemetery, QLD
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Richard Frederick and Alice Maud Watkin, of Bundaberg
Roll of Honour: Bundaberg QLD
Remembered: Panel 105, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT

On 16 November 1943, Dakota 42-23420 departed Batchelor, Northern Territory for Archerfield, Queensland to travel via, Gorrie, Daly Waters and Cloncurry. The aircraft is believed to have broken up during a violent storm and all on board were killed with debris found south of Springsure, Queensland. On board were five US Army crew members, seven RAAF members and seven Australian Army members.

United States Army Casualties (Crew)

Sergeant Robert L Adkins (34209372) (Crew Member)
Second Lieutenant Raymond E. Anglin (Pilot) (O-665501)
Sergeant Harold Baumstein (11102543) (Radio Operator)
Second Lieutenant Joseph W. Kennedy (Co-pilot) (O-680036)
Sergeant Frank J Ropinski (16046060) (Flight Engineer)

RAAF Casualties

Flight Lieutenant Roy Edgar Abbott (264204) Headquarters North East Area, Townsville QLD
Corporal William Brady (35720) No. 105 Fighter Section, Darwin
Leading Aircraftman John Given Maxwell (21638) No. 9 Replenishing Centre, Birdum NT
Corporal Francis Paul Morris (71310) No. 110 Fighter Control Unit, Darwin NT
Sergeant Ronald Keith Pitchford (410850) No. 55 Operational Base Unit, Birdum NT
Leading Aircraftman Stanley Kirk Sims (28071) No. 452 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant Albert Ernest Watkin (405265) No. 452 Squadron

Australian Army Casualties

Sergeant Victor Frederick Bishop (NX82072) No. 5 Movement Control Group
Sergeant Trevor William Davey (VX69200) No. 2 Movement Control Group
Gunner William Howard Dorman (QX24775) No. 38 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
Lieutenant Harley Horace Lockie (NX151680) No. 12 Advance Ordnance Depot
Private Andrew Henry Mildren (QX52001) No. 1 Training Battalion AASC
Sergeant William Joseph Parker (NX133213) Headquarters NT Force
Lieutenant Ross Rowsell (NX107453) No. 103 Tank Attack Regiment RAA

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 A9845, 23

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