LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Robson Coltish WEBB
Service No: 420316
Born: Hay NSW, 4 December 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 October 1941
Unit: Training Flight, Desert Air Force (RAF), Canne Landing Ground, Italy
Died: Injuries from and Aircraft Accident (Kittyhawk aircraft FR843 on 12 June 1944), Italy, 14 June 1944, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas Joseph and Lilian Florence Mary Webb, of Hay, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 132, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Hay War Memorial and Honour Roll, Hay NSW
Remembered: Hay War Memorial High School World War 2 Honor Roll, hay NSW
On 12 June 1944, Kittyhawk FR843 took off as one of a formation of six aircraft detailed to carry out practice formation flying. During the exercise it was noticed that Kittyhawk FR843 was lagging behind the others. A little later Webb called up his Leader on the radio and told him that his aircraft’s engine temperatures were abnormally high and he would return to base.
On the way back, although the engine was still going satisfactorily, an Instructor who happened to be in the air at the same time, heard this conversation, and advised Webb to land at the nearest base. Webb replied that he would try to make base. By the time the aircraft reached base his engine was not giving enough power to maintain height, and Squadron Leader Nash (RAF) saw the aircraft fly past his office at a height of 60 feet and a very low airspeed. Shortly after the aircraft started to do a turn, and not having enough speed, the aircraft stalled and struck the ground. It turned upside down and a fire started. Flight Sergeant Webb was badly burnt, and he was admitted to hospital and died of his burns on the 14 June 1944.
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, 166/43/711
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line