LEST WE FORGET
Aircraftman Class 1 Desmond WHENAN
Service No: 116182
Born: Thebarton SA, 23 August 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 September 1942
Unit: No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala SA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 6 Service Flying Training School Anson aircraft W2556), St Vincent’s Gulf SA, 14 July 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of James Alfred and Blanche Victoria Whenan, of Mile End, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 7, Sydney Memorial, Rookwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 117, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Brother of Corporal Keith Whenan (5997)
On 14 July 1943, Avro Anson W2556 went missing on a test flight over St Vincent’s Gulf. The cause of the accident is unknown. The crew members were:
Corporal James Denis Horrigan (27786) (Fitter IIE)
Aircraftman Class 1 John Vincent Colin Matheson (45971) (Fitter IIA)
Flying Officer John Frederick Pettit (406662) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Donald Beresford Tucker (59315) (Electrician)
Aircraftman Class 1 Desmond Whenan (116182) (Instrument Repairer)
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, 78
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Anson, Hudson and Sunderland in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1992