‘For Your Tomorrow’

Anzacs laid to rest in India

 Compiled by the Defence Section
Australian High Commission, New Delhi
with information or assistance from:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Defence Section, New Zealand High Commission
Department of Veteran Affairs, Australia
National Archives of Australia
New Zealand Army Archives
Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
Royal New Zealand Navy Museum
Sqn Ldr (Retd)Rana T.S. Chhina, MBE

- This edition published April 2021 –

This work is Copyright © but may be downloaded, displayed,

printed or reproduced in unaltered form for non-commercial use.

2
 CONTENTS

Foreword 4

Introduction 5

Map of Commonwealth War Cemeteries and 6

Memorials (Australians or New Zealanders registered)

Roll of Honour 7

Biographies of the Fallen - First World War 10

a. Delhi Memorial (India Gate) 12

b. Deolali Government Cemetery 14

c. Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial 16

Biographies of the Fallen - Second World War 21

d. Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery 30

e. Delhi War Cemetery 38

f. Gauhati War Cemetery 54

g. Imphal War Cemetery 60

h. Kirkee War Cemetery 69

i. Kohima War Cemetery 83

j. Madras War Cemetery 88

k. Ranchi War Cemetery 108

Commonwealth War Graves Commission 125

National War Memorial of India - New Delhi 126

3
Foreword

This booklet provides an excellent insight into Australian and New Zealand service-
personnel who died and were buried on Indian soil. There are ninety-one Anzacs from
the First and Second World Wars buried in Commonwealth War Graves across India
at nine locations including Delhi, Deolali, Imphal, Kohima, Ranchi, Chennai, Kolkata,
Pune and Guwahati.

From nurses who served in British hospitals in India, where their patients included
Turkish prisoners of war and wounded British troops, to Air Force officers who died
in action in major battles across India, including the battles of Kohima and Imphal. All
are faithfully commemorated in the forthcoming pages.

Special thanks to the Defence Section team at New Delhi Post for their efforts in
bringing this document together. In particular Ms Jaspreet Sharma and Major Daniel
White who together spent many hours researching, compiling, writing and editing.

Sadly, the living relatives of the Anzac fallen are invariably separated by many
thousands of kilometres from the gravesites of their loved ones here in India. It is my
great hope that this small offering, in the way of a historical listing, serves to reduce
the burden of the great distances separating our brave departed from their loved-ones
and the lands they once called ‘Home’.

Lest we forget

Group Captain Terence Deeth

Defence Adviser to India
Royal Australian Air Force

4
Introduction

It is difficult to relate to a soldier’s wartime experience by seeing a name and rank on

a plaque. Our hope is that by reading about the Anzacs who served and died in India
we might reconnect with their experiences and better understand their sacrifices, and
for a moment imagine ourselves in their situation.

Most of the names recorded are aviators who served in roles of tremendous
responsibility for their age. Their dedication to duty irrespective of commonplace air
crashes in barely minted airframes best describes the magnitude of their bravery.

This booklet was structured to provide succinct information on the 65 Australian and
26 New Zealand service personnel who were laid to rest in India. It also serves as a
guidebook for those who can physically visit India’s Commonwealth War Cemeteries
and Memorials. For visitors, please note that access to some of the cemeteries requires
military approval as they reside within Army cantonments.

The scope of this booklet does not extend to describing the close links that existed
between Indian and Anzac personnel. It is commonly known that Indian’s fought
shoulder to shoulder with the Anzacs at Gallipoli. Less well known is that the very first
operational sortie carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Burma was a bombing
raid by the Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, 'Jumbo' Majumdar, in an modified
Lysander aircraft escorted by two Kiwis flying Brewster Buffalos. Or that one of the
first Distinguished Service Orders awarded by the IAF went to the Australian
Commanding Officer of No. 4 Squadron. Nor does this booklet make mention of Flying
Officer 'Chacha' Manmohan Singh, who was killed when the Japanese attacked his
Catalina aircraft in Broome, Australia. Nor the Indian soldiers rescued from captivity
in Papua New Guinea by Australians at the end of the war. There is depth to our shared
military history which stretches far beyond the following pages.

Our information was gathered from publicly available records and therefore often lacks
the detail we would like to have provided. For corrections or feedback in support of
future editions, please email <[email protected]>

Major Daniel White

Assistant Defence Adviser to India
Australian Army

5
MAP OF COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERIES AND
MEMORIALS
Australians or New Zealanders registered

6
 ROLL OF HONOUR
Service personnel laid to rest in India

Australia
First World War 1914-1918

Australian Imperial Force / Australian Army

O’Grady A.V. Sister No 1 Australian General Hospital
Power K. Sister No 1 Australian General Hospital
Moreton L.G. Sister No 2 Australian General Hospital
Clare E. Staff Nurse No 11 Australian General Hospital

Civilian
Jones R. War Worker Australian Munitions Worker

Second World War 1939-1945

Royal Australian Navy

Deans W.H. Lieutenant HMAS Tamworth
Barker C.W.P Petty Officer HMAS Hobart
Ladd H.W. Leading Seaman HMS President III

Australian Imperial Force / Australian Army

Crouch R.T.J. Lance Corporal 2/16 Australian Infantry Battalion

Royal Australian Air Force

Cecil M.L. Pilot Officer 3rd Tactical Air Force
Strachan R.H. Warrant Officer 3 Squadron
Whitehurst D.A. Flight Sergeant 3 Refresher Flying Unit
Proudfoot S.G. Squadron Leader 11 Squadron
Morphett P.H. Pilot Officer 11 Squadron
Westhoff N.F. Pilot Officer 22 Ferry Control
Thomson J. Flight Lieutenant 27 Squadron
Evatt G.A.L. Flight Lieutenant 28 Squadron
Knodler K.J. Warrant Officer 30 Squadron
Jeffreys G.R. Warrant Officer 34 Squadron
Hopper J.A. Warrant Officer 34 Squadron
Rowe J.H. Flying Officer 45 Squadron
Levey J.M. Flying Officer 45 Squadron
Cargill H.J.S. Flying Officer 45 Squadron
Pritchard B.M. Warrant Officer 60 Squadron
Deester H.J. Warrant Officer 62 Squadron
Foody J.P. Warrant Officer 62 Squadron
McClure J.D. Flying Officer 70 Squadron
Day L.K . Flight Sergeant 79 Squadron
Reis E.L. Flying Officer 82 Squadron
Stower C.J. Flying Officer 82 Squadron
Thynne E.A. Flying Officer 82 Squadron
Tufnell W.C. Flying Officer 82 Squadron
Abel V. Pilot Officer 82 Squadron
Tolliday W.J. Flying Officer 96 Squadron
7
May J.D. Sergeant 99 Squadron
Thorpe H.E. Warrant Officer 110 Squadron
Pearce B.F. Warrant Officer 113 Squadron
McRae M.A. Flying Officer 135 Squadron
Ulrick B.L. Warrant Officer 146 Squadron
Haley A.H. Flying Officer 155 Squadron
Bishop J.J. Flight Sergeant 159 Squadron
Crowley R.A.P. Warrant Officer 159 Squadron
Richardson P.W.W. Flying Officer 194 Squadron
Pearce W.D. Warrant Officer 194 Squadron
Britten-Jones A.E. Flight Sergeant 194 Squadron
Brady N.W.B. Flying Officer 215 Squadron
Garnet P. Warrant Officer 215 Squadron
Hayter H.E. Flight Lieutenant 227 Group
Hender E.K. Flying Officer 308 Maintenance Unit
Trenberth J. Flying Officer 308 Maintenance Unit
Ellers F.L. Flight Sergeant 308 Maintenance Unit
Forman D.C. Flying Officer 353 Squadron
Beebar J. Pilot Officer 353 Squadron
Handley F.W. Warrant Officer 353 Squadron
Shanahan J.P. Warrant Officer 353 Squadron
Blumer P.J. Pilot Officer 355 Squadron
McCormick F.A. Flight Lieutenant 356 Squadron
Corbett W.J. Flight Lieutenant 357 Squadron
Porter F. Flight Sergeant 358 Squadron
White J.W. Flight Sergeant 358 Squadron
Allen J.J. Flight Lieutenant 466 Squadron
McCormack D.W. Squadron Leader 615 Squadron
McKerracher W.J. Flight Lieutenant 615 Squadron
Hewetson R.T. Flight Sergeant 1572 Gunnery High
Allen J.F. Flight Sergeant Attached Royal Air Force Station Poona

8
 ROLL OF HONOUR
Service personnel laid to rest in India

New Zealand
First World War 1914-1918

Royal Navy
Adlam V. Able Seaman HMS Philomel

Second World War 1939-1945

Royal Navy (New Zealand Division)

Fenwick T.C.R. Lieutenant 797 Squadron
Taylor F.N.H Stoker 2nd Class HMS Leander

New Zealand Military Forces (Army)

Patten B.J. Lieutenant Royal Engineers
Todd E.G.C. Second Lieutenant 2 Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment
Murray K.C. Corporal 20 Battalion

Royal New Zealand Air Force

Webster H.W. Warrant Officer 3 Refresher Flying Unit
Ever-Swindell F.H. Flying Officer 20 Squadron
Murphy S.B. Flight Sergeant 21 Ferry Control
Kay H. Sergeant 34 Squadron
Reeves J.H. Flight Lieutenant 45 Squadron
McQueen J.S. Warrant Officer 45 Squadron
Shannon W.A. Sergeant 60 Squadron
Daniel N.B. Flying Officer 62 Squadron
Pederson E.E. Pilot Officer 67 Squadron
Kronk C.T. Sergeant 67 Squadron
Parker A.E. Flying Officer 82 Squadron
Wachar D.W. Pilot Officer 84 Squadron
Ingram M.R.B. Squadron Leader 152 Squadron
Simmons J.F. Warrant Officer 159 Squadron
Sutherland A.G. Warrant Officer 326 Maintenance Unit
Hargreaves S.R. Flight Sergeant 353 Squadron
McCormack C.C. Flying Officer 354 Squadron
Bullen R.M. Pilot Officer 358 Squadron
Sadler S.E. Flight Sergeant 358 Squadron
McConnel E.O.W. Flying Officer 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit

9
 BIOGRAPHIES OF
THE FALLEN
FIRST WORLD WAR

10
 Rank &
Date of Death & Grave
Ser Service Name Regiment Inscription
Age Number
Number
DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE)
Australian
LETTITIA 11 November
Army
A1 Sister GLADWYS 1916 Face 23 -
Nursing
MORETON Age 34
Service
DEOLALI GOVERNMENT CEMETERY
Australian SHE MADE
Plot RC.
17 October 1918 Army THE
A2 Staff Nurse EMILY CLARE Row M2.
Age 28 Nursing SUPREME
Grave 22
Service SACRIFICE
KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL
Australian
AMY VEDA 12 August 1916 Army
A3 Sister Face F -
O’GRADY Age 40 Nursing
Service
Australian
KATHLEEN 13 August 1916 Army
A4 Sister Face F -
POWER Age 28 Nursing
Service
Munition
04 May 1919 Australian
A5 Worker RALPH JONES Face F -
Age 48 War Worker
744
Able Seaman VICTOR 03 June 1916
NZ1 Face A Royal Navy -
MLF/25 ADLAM Age 19

11
 DELHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE)

Conflict First World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 13,216
Australians Inscribed 1
New Zealanders Inscribed 0

The Delhi Memorial (India Gate) remembers soldiers of undivided India who died
during 1914-1921. The memorial, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was unveiled by
Lord Irwin, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, on 12 February 1931.

Of the 13,216 Commonwealth service personnel commemorated by name on the

memorial, over 1,000 lie in cemeteries to the west of the River Indus, where
maintenance was not possible. The remainder died in fighting on or beyond the North
West Frontier and during the Third Afghan War, and have no known grave.

The India Gate is a place of remembrance and a magnificent monument visited by

thousands of tourists and locals every day. Only one Australian name is listed, too
high-up to see with the naked eye, which belies the contribution of Australian and
New Zealander forces during the world wars.

12
A1. Sister Lettitia Gladwys Moreton

Service Australian Army Nursing Service

Date of Birth & Place 1882; Brim, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 11 November 1916; Quetta (now in Pakistan)
Units No. 2 Australian General Hospital
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial Delhi Memorial (India Gate)

Age: 34

Lettitia Gladwys Moreton was born in 1891 to Samuel Henry Moreton and Lettitia
Dexter Milledge.

Lettitia served as a nurse during the First World War at the 2nd Australian General
Hospital at Mena Camp outside Cairo. She nursed the soldiers returning from Gallipoli
until the completion of the ANZAC evacuation.

Sister Moreton was later assigned to the Station Hospital at Quetta, India (now in
Pakistan), as the only Australian nurse. She contracted enteric haemorrhage (typhoid),
which had no effective treatment at the time, and succumbed to the disease on 11
November 1916, at the age of 34.

Sister Moreton was buried at Quetta Government Cemetery 209 and is commemorated
on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) at Face 23.

13
 DEOLALI GOVERNMENT CEMETERY

Conflict First World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 168
Australians Inscribed 1
New Zealanders Inscribed 0

The Deolali Government Cemetery (also identified as the British Christian Cemetery)
is located in a military cantonment south of Nashik, Maharashtra.

The first Deolali cantonment was established in 1861 and served as a transit camp for
soldiers from the time of the British East India Company until after the Second World
War. The cantonment was both a training camp for newly arrived soldiers and a point
of embarkation for those returning home. It was known as the British Base
Reinforcement Camp during the Second World War and supplied troops to the
Fourteenth Army in eastern India.

The Doolally Tap (‘tap’ being the Sanskrit translation of ‘fever’) is a historic British
Army phrase given to anyone showing signs of mental fatigue. Soldiers who completed
their service in India were sent to Deolali while awaiting transportation home. The wait
could be long and boring and was said to cause people to go Doolally.

14
A2. Sister Emily Clare

Service Australian Army Nursing Service

Date of Birth & Place 11 September 1890; Stawell, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 17 October 1918; Deolali, Maharashtra
Units No. 11 Australian General Hospital
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial Deolali Government Cemetery
Awards British War Medal

Age: 28

Born in Melbourne on 11 September 1890, Emily Clare was the youngest daughter of
Peter and Mary Clare. She had four sisters and three brothers. Emily undertook three
years of nursing training at Stawell Hospital in Victoria.

Emily enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service in November 1917 and
embarked for overseas service after only a week. She was posted to the Victoria War
Hospital in Bombay (Mumbai), where her patients included Turkish and German
prisoners of war, as well as wounded British troops. In a letter to her sister later
published in a Melbourne newspaper, Emily wrote “the Turks and Germans have quite
a cordial form of hate towards each other”. She also detailed an incident where one of
the German prisoners sent her a gift of two lions’ claws, with his grateful thanks for
what she did for them.

Cholera was a major problem in India at the time, and Emily wrote to her sister that
the nurses were not allowed outside the city due to the spread of the disease. There
were, she said, more than 600 deaths in a week.

Sister Clare was transferred to the 34th (Welsh) Military Hospital in Deolali. While
nursing at the hospital she became ill with influenza, and then pneumonia. She died on
17 October 1918, less than a month before the Armistice.

15
 THE KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL

Conflict First World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 710
Australians Inscribed 3
New Zealanders Inscribed 1

The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial stands within Kirkee War Cemetery (see Second
World War section), in Khadki, near Pune. It was built to commemorate First World
War military personnel whose remains could be located or were buried in civil and
cantonment cemeteries, where the maintenance of graves was not assured.

On the same memorial are commemorated almost 200 East and West African service
members who died in non-operational zones in India during the Second World War.

Many of the individuals inscribed on the memorial were originally buried in

inaccessible sites but have been reinterred in Commonwealth cemeteries. However,
their names will remain on the memorial.

16
 A3. Sister Amy Veda O’Grady

Service Australian Army Nursing Service

Date of Birth & Place 1876; Castlemaine, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 12 August 1916; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units No. 10 Australian General Hospital, No. 1
Australian General Hospital,
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial

Age: 40

Amy Veda O’Grady was born at Castlemaine in Victoria, to Daniel and Ellen O’Grady.
She was trained at the Melbourne Hospital and worked at the Queen Charlotte Hospital,
London.

On 11 August 1915, Amy enrolled in the Australian Army Nursing Service and was
appointed Staff Nurse. On 24 August 1915, she embarked RMS Morea for Suez, Egypt,
on 21 September. She was transferred from the 10th Australian General Hospital to
join the 1st Australian General Hospital based at Heliopolis, Cairo. In July 1916, she
volunteered for duty in India and, along with 49 other nurses, sailed to Bombay
(Mumbai) on the Hospital Ship, HS Neutralia.

After an outbreak of cholera in Bombay Sister O’Grady was posted to the Gerald
Freeman Thomas Hospital, at the request of the Indian Colonial Government. She
contracted cholera shortly afterwards and was transferred to the Sisters’ Isolation
Hospital in Colaba, Bombay, where she died on 12 August 1916. Fellow Australian
Sister Kathleen Power died of the same condition at the same hospital the following
day.

Sister O’Grady was buried at the Sewree Christian Cemetery and later reinterred at the
Kirkee Cemetery. She was survived by her elder brother, Father James Henry O'Grady
of the Roman Catholic Presbytery in Preston, Victoria.

17
A4. Sister Kathleen Power

Service Australian Army Nursing Service

Date of Birth & Place 1888; Ganygange, Piltown, Ireland
Date of Death & Place 13 August 1916; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units No. 10 Australian General Hospital, No. 1
Australian General Hospital
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial

Age: 28

Kathleen Power was born at Ganygange in Piltown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, to

Michael and Johanna Power. After attending the Holy Faith Convent School at
Mullinavatt, Kilkenny, she moved to Dublin to undertake training at Dr Stevens'
Hospital.

On 11 August 1915, Kathleen enrolled in the Australian Army Nursing Service and
was appointed as a Staff Nurse. On 24 August 1915, she embarked RMS Morea and
disembarked at Suez, Egypt on 21 September. She was transferred from the 10th
Australian General Hospital to join the 1st Australian General Hospital based at
Heliopolis, Cairo.

On 11 July 1916, Sister Power was attached temporarily to the British 15th General
Hospital in Alexandria, from where she embarked in HMS Devanha for duty in
Bombay (Mumbai).

Shortly after her arrival, Sister Power died of cholera at the Sisters’ Isolation Hospital
in Colaba, Bombay, on 13 August 1916. Fellow Australian Sister Amy Veda O’Grady
died of the same condition at the same hospital the day prior.

She was buried at the Sewree Christian Cemetery and later reinterred at the Kirkee War
Cemetery.

18
 A5. War Worker Ralph Jones

Service Australian Munitions Worker

Service number 744
Date of Birth & Place 1879; Hobart, Tasmania
Date of Death & Place 4 May 1919; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units Australian Munition workers
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial

Age: 40

Ralph Jones was born in Hobart, Tasmania. Ralph married Ellen Jones and together
the couple had two children.

Ralph was a munitions expert who travelled from Australia to Britain as a War Worker
in July 1917. He first served as a labourer for Holland Hannen & Co and later for Dick
Kerr & Co. He painted ships, performed general dock work, and undertook railway
construction.

Following the war, War Worker Jones became ill during his return journey from Britain
to Australia. He disembarked from the S.S Eastern in Bombay (Mumbai) and was
admitted to a local hospital. He was found to have a carcinoma of the stomach. War
Worker Jones died at Gerald Freeman Thomas War Hospital.

Ralph Jones’ only son was killed in action during the war.

19
NZ1. Able Seaman Victor Adlam

Service Royal Navy

Service number MLF/25
Date of Birth & Place 1897; Chilton, Southland
Date of Death & Place 3 June 1916; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units HMS Philomel
Conflict First World War 1914-1918
Memorial The Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial

Age: 19

Victor Adlam was born in Chilton, Southland to Clara Mary Adlam, of Templeton,
Christchurch, Canterbury.

While serving in the cruiser HMS Philomel, Able Seaman Adlam contracted malaria
and food poisoning. He was sent ashore to a hospital in Bombay (Mumbai) and died
of illness on 3 June 1916.

20
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE
FALLEN
SECOND WORLD WAR

21
 Rank & Grave
Date of Death &
Serial Service Name Numbe Regiment Inscription
Age
Number r
CALCUTTA BHOWANIPORE CEMETERY
Plot O.
Flight 03 December Royal
LAWRENCE Row G. HIS DUTY
A6 Sergeant 1942 Australian
KEITH DAY Grave NOBLY DONE
404924 Age 26 Air Force
27.
Plot O.
Warrant 01 December Royal
JAMES PETER Row H. GREATER LOVE
A7 Officer 1945 Australian
FOODY Grave HATH NO MAN
30293 Age 28 Air Force
10
Plot O.
Squadron DAVID Royal
10 August 1944 Row G. OUR DARLING
A8 Leader WILLIAM Australian
Age 26 Grave SON. R.I.P
400232 McCORMACK Air Force
4.
SUNSHINE
PASSES,
Flying MALCOLM Plot L. Royal
07 January 1943 SHADOWS FALL;
A9 Officer ARTHUR Mc Grave Australian
Age 28 LOVING
400817 RAE 12. Air Force
MEMORIES
OUTLAST ALL
CHARLES Plot H. Royal New
Sergeant 28 May 1942
NZ2 THOMAS Grave Zealand Air -
41514 Age 23
KRONK 28. Force
Plot O.
Pilot Royal New
ERIC EDWARD 18 March 1943 Row G.
NZ3 Officer Zealand Air -
PEDERSEN Age 27 Grave
403984 Force
34.
DELHI WAR CEMETERY
Flying Royal AUSTRALIA
EDWARD 31 July 1944
A10 Officer 5. A. 14 Australian LOVED BUT
KEITH HENDER Age 33
407855 Air Force LOST HIM
HIS COUNTRY
Warrant BOWYER Royal
11 October 1942 CALLED- HE
A11 Officer FREDERICK 4. B. 1 Australian
Age 28 ANSWERED, IN
406168 PEARCE Air Force
GOD'S KEEPING
FOR GOD, KING
Flying JOHN Royal
29 August 1942 AND COUNTRY
A12 Officer HEYWOOD 7. A. 12 Australian
Age 30 HE GAVE HIS
400375 ROWE Air Force
ALL
IN GOD'S CARE.
Flying Royal
WILLIAM JOHN 13 June 1945 HEARTS THAT
A13 Officer 5. H. 6 Australian
TOLLIDAY Age 23 LOVED YOU
410793 Air Force
NEVER FORGET
HE HAS
Flight JAMES Royal OUTSOARED
15 June 1945
A14 Lieutenant JEFFERY 5. H. 9 Australian THE SHADOW
Age 28
411723 ALLEN Air Force OF OUR NIGHT...
FROM THE
22
 CONTAGION OF
THE WORLD'S
SLOW STAIN HE
IS SECURE
Flying Royal
JACK 13 July 1942 NOT LOST, BUT
A15 Officer 7. B. 12 Australian
TRENBERTH Age 27 GONE BEFORE
407756 Air Force

GOD NEVER
CREATED A
Flight FREDERICK Royal
13 July 1942 MORE NOBLE,
A16 Sergeant LEONARD 7. C. 2 Australian
Age 22 BRAVE AND
406142 ELLERS Air Force
LOVING
CHARACTER
Pilot NORMAN Royal LOVED ALWAYS
26 January 1944
A17 Officer FREDERICK 4. H. 8 Australian BY DOT, ANN
Age 32
35271 WESTHOFF Air Force AND BABS
ANSELL
Flight Royal
EDWARD 15 April 1943
A18 Sergeant 1. H. 9 Australian WITH GOD
BRITTEN- Age 21
416016 Air Force
JONES
SADLY MISSED
Flight WILLIAM Royal BY LOVING
07 May 1944
A19 Lieutenant JAMES 5. E. 1 Australian WIFE IRENE,
Age 24
400527 CORBETT Air Force SONS DAVID
AND MICHEL
Royal New
Sergeant 12 May 1942
NZ4 HAROLD KAY 7. A. 1 Zealand Air -
404377 Age 21
Force
Flight SIDNEY Royal New
07 April 1944
NZ5 Sergeant BEVERLEY 2. H. 13 Zealand Air -
Age 25
412260 MURPHY Force
New
Lieutenant BARRIE JOHN 04 April 1945
NZ6 5. D. 6 Zealand -
6/8193 PATTEN Age 37
Engineers
WILLIAM Royal New
Sergeant 16 June 1942
NZ7 ALEXANDER 7. C. 4 Zealand Air -
405328 Age 25
SHANNON Force
Flying NOEL Royal New
29 March 1943 4. A.
NZ8 Officer BUCHANAN Zealand Air -
Age 25 11
414262 DANIEL Force

GAUHATI WAR CEMETERY

Pilot Royal
MERVYN 30 July 1944 HIS DUTY
A20 Officer 4. E. 19 Australian
LESLIE CECIL Age 24 NOBLY DONE
406517 Air Force
Warrant GORDON Royal
15 March 1943
A21 Officer ROGER 4. D. 19 Australian WELL ROWED
Age 24
406358 JEFFREYS Air Force

23
 Warrant Royal
GARNET 02 June 30 LIFE'S WORK
A22 Officer 4. F. 16 Australian
PRATT Age 31 NOBLY DONE
429155 Air Force
HIS DUTY
Flying EDWARD Royal FEARLESSLY
19 February 1945
A23 Officer ANDREW 4. F. 7 Australian AND NOBLY
Age 31
414103 THYNNE Air Force DONE. ALWAYS
REMEMBERED
Warrant Royal New
JOHN SAWERS 03 January 1945
NZ9 Officer 4. F. 2 Zealand Air -
McQUEEN Age 26
412248 Force
IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY
GEORGE
Flight Royal
ASHMORE 01 January 1945 GREATER LOVE
A24 Lieutenant 6. C. 20 Australian
LEETON Age 22 HATH NO MAN
412808 Air Force
EVATT
Warrant JOSEPH Royal
17 August 1944 ALWAYS
A25 Officer ALBERT 6. J. 23 Australian
Age 23 REMEMBERED
37259 HOPPER Air Force
OUR BRAVE
Flying JAMES 17 December Royal
AND GALLANT
A26 Officer MAXWELL 1944 7. B. 17 Australian
SON EVER
408855 LEVEY Age 27 Air Force
REMEMBERED
LOVED SON OF
MR. & MRS. D.R.
Flying HARRY JAMES 17 December Royal
CARGILL
A27 Officer SCUTCHINGS 1944 7. B. 18 Australian
BROTHER OF
406193 CARGILL Age 25 Air Force
DAVID, OF MT.
LAWLEY, W.A

Warrant BERNARD Royal

30 April 1944 6. M.
A28 Officer MICHAEL Australian -
Age 20 20
413660 PRITCHARD Air Force

MERVYN
Squadron Royal New
ROBERT 11 July 1944
NZ10 Leader 1. C. 2 Zealand Air -
BRUCE Age 22
402190 Force
INGRAM

Flight SIDNEY Royal New

23 January 1945
NZ11 Sergeant ERNEST 4. B. 8 Zealand Air -
Age 27
428047 SADLER Force

Second ERIC New

23 June 1942
NZ12 Lieutenant GASCOYNE 9. G. 1 Zealand -
Age 23
40457 CECIL TODD Infantry

24
 KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY
THEY SHALL
Royal
Flight JAMES 01 September GROW NOT OLD,
Australian
A29 Sergeant FREDERICK 1943 13. C. 7 AS WE THAT
Air Force
405616 ALLEN Age 22 ARE LEFT GROW
OLD
CHARLIE
10 December Royal
Petty WILLIAM
A30 1939 3. J. 5 Australian -
Officer PERCY
Age 31 Navy
19052 BARKER
EVER
ROBERT REMEMBERED
Lance
THOMAS 07 February 1942 Australian BY WIFE DOLLY
A31 Corporal 3. J. 12
JAMES Age 29 Infantry AND CHILDREN
WX5667
CROUCH BETTY AND
ADRIENNE
HE DIED THAT
WILLIAM 24 September Royal WE MIGHT LIVE.
9. AA.
A32 Lieutenant HARGREAVES 1943 Australian GREATLY
14
DEANS Age 42 Navy LOVED, SADLY
MISSED
ENLISTED
Flight HAROLD Royal OCTOBER 1940
16 August 1943
A33 Lieutenant EDGAR 9. J. 11 Australian AT ADELAIDE,
Age 40
257620 HAYTER Air Force SOUTH
AUSTRALIA
Leading HECTOR Royal
19 January 1942 THY WILL BE
A34 Seaman WALLACE 3. J. 14 Australian
Age 48 DONE
S/3774 LADD Navy
Warrant JOSEPH Royal
17 August 1945
A35 Officer PATRICK 7. D. 10 Australian REST IN PEACE
Age 23
418186 SHANAHAN Air Force
Warrant ROBERT Royal HONOURABLE,
16 January 1945
A36 Officer HAWKINS 9. H. 8 Australian FEARLESS,
Age 26
413040 STRACHAN Air Force AFFECTIONATE
Flight DOUGLAS Royal IN THE SHADOW
16 May 1944
A37 Sergeant ARTHUR 10. E. 9 Australian OF THY WINGS
Age 20
421779 WHITEHURST Air Force THERE IS PEACE
KEITH New
Corporal 21 March 1941
NZ13 CHARLES 2. B. 11 Zealand -
15023 Age 33
MURRAY Infantry
FREDERICK
Flying 06 September Royal New
HORNBY
NZ14 Officer 1943 9. J. 8 Zealand Air -
EVERS-
413906 Age 24 Force
SWINDELL
Warrant HAROLD Royal New
18 April 1945
NZ15 Officer WILSON 13. A. 2 Zealand Air -
Age 23
428172 WEBSTER Force

25
 FRANCIS Royal Navy
Stoker 2nd
NORMAN 01 April 1941 (New
NZ16 Class 8. K. 3 -
HAROLD Age 20 Zealand
2074
TAYLOR Division)
KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY
NEVILLE
Flying 1. C. Royal
WILLIAM 11 June 1944
A38 Officer 1A and Australian -
BARTON Age 21
414372 1-26. Air Force
BRADY
HIS DUTY
Warrant 1. C. Royal FEARLESSLY
HENRY JAMES 11 June 1944
A39 Officer 1A and Australian AND NOBLY
DEESTER Age 28
414340 1-26 Air Force DONE. EVER
REMEMBERED
GOD HAS HIM IN
Warrant WALTER Royal
19 June 1944 11. A. HIS KEEPING,
A40 Officer DOUGLAS Australian
Age 24 4-7 WE HAVE HIM
413791 PEARCE Air Force
IN OUR HEARTS
MADRAS WAR CEMETERY
Pilot Royal THIS WORLD IS
13 September
A41 Officer VICTOR ABEL 14. D. 1 Australian NOT A LASTING
1944 Age 23
422089 Air Force PLACE
Flying WILLIAM Royal FIGHT THE
13 September
A42 Officer CLARKE 4. C. 18 Australian GOOD FIGHT OF
1944 Age 22
415700 TUFNELL Air Force FAITH
A FINE
Pilot Royal
PAUL JOHN 05 May 1944 AUSTRALIAN
A43 Officer 9. B. 12 Australian
BLUMER Age 24 SON WELL
402027 Air Force
LOVED
Flight ROBERT Royal
07 February 1944 GREATER LOVE
A44 Sergeant THOMAS 9. C. 17 Australian
Age 21 HATH NO MAN
413997 HEWETSON Air Force
FOREVER IN
Warrant Royal
KEITH JACK 14 August 1944 OUR THOUGHTS
A45 Officer 1. J. 17 Australian
KNODLER Age 21 TILL WE MEET
420211 Air Force
AGAIN
Flying Royal
JOHN DENIS 11 May 1944 HONOR NON
A46 Officer 9. B. 2 Australian
McCLURE Age 24 HONORES
402384 Air Force
HEAVENLY
WALTER
Flight Royal FATHER IN THY
JAMES 13 May 1944
A47 Lieutenant 9. B. 4 Australian KEEPING LEAVE
McKERRACHE Age 34
406099 Air Force WE NOW OUR
R
HERO SLEEPING
WHEN THE DAY
Flight 23 November Royal
FORBES BREAKS AND
A48 Sergeant 1944 4. D. 5 Australian
PORTER THE SHADOWS
425353 Age 23 Air Force
FLY AWAY

26
 Flight 23 November Royal
JOHN WILLIAM REQUIESCAT IN
A49 Sergeant 1944 4. D. 2 Australian
WHITE PACE
430197 Age 19 Air Force
Squadron SAMUEL 13 September Royal GREATER LOVE
A50 Leader GEORGE 1943 1. H. 11 Australian HATH NO MAN
403006 PROUDFOOT Age 28 Air Force THAN THIS
IN PARADISUM
Flying Royal DEDUCANT TE
EDWARD 27 October 1942
A51 Officer 5. D. 16 Australian ANGELI
LOUGHRY REIS Age 24
400291 Air Force REQUIESCAT IN
PACE
Flying 21 November Royal
COLIN JAMES EVER
A52 Officer 1942 1. G. 1 Australian
STOWER REMEMBERED
404369 Age 28 Air Force
HIS DUTY
Flight Royal FEARLESSLY
JAMES 01 April 1945 14. B.
A53 Lieutenant Australian AND NOBLY
THOMSON Age 28 18
425391 Air Force DONE EVER
REMEMBERED
FOR GOD, KING
Warrant BERRY Royal
05 June 1944 AND COUNTRY.
A54 Officer LEMINGTON 1. D. 17 Australian
Age 22 EVER
413048 ULRICK Air Force
REMEMBERED
Pilot RAYMOND Royal New
26 July 1945 9. A. 1-
NZ17 Officer MAURICE Zealand Air -
Age 27 14
425880 BULLEN Force
Royal New
TERENCE
19 September Zealand
CHARLES
NZ18 Lieutenant 1944 6. C. 6 Naval -
ROBERT
Age 27 Volunteer
FENWICK
Reserve
Flight 21 September Royal New
RONALD
NZ19 Sergeant 1942 9. C. 12 Zealand Air -
HARGREAVES
41901 Age 21 Force
Flying ERNEST OWEN Royal New
13 August 1944
NZ20 Officer WALTER 4. C. 16 Zealand Air -
Age 26
428820 McCONNEL Force

Flying Royal New

CLAUDE CYRIL 07 May 1944
NZ21 Officer 9. B. 16 Zealand Air -
McCORMACK Age 22
421282 Force

RANCHI WAR CEMETERY

UNTIL THE DAY
Flight 12 September Joint Royal
JAMES JOHN BREAK, AND
A55 Sergeant 1944 grave 8. Australian
BISHOP THE SHADOWS
419406 Age 21 B 1-2 Air Force
FLEE AWAY

27
 ADORED
REGINALD HUSBAND OF
Warrant 12 September Royal
AUGUST VERONICA. HIS
A56 Officer 1944 8. N. 6 Australian
PETERSON COURAGE
409896 Age 31 Air Force
CROWLEY NEVER FAILED
HIM
DEARLY LOVED,
Pilot Royal SADLY MISSED.
04 August 1944
A57 Officer JOHN BEEBAR 5. E. 1 Australian WE CARRY YOU
Age 22
403252 Air Force IN A LOCKET OF
GOLD
HE THAT
BELIEVETH IN
Flying DAVID Royal
04 August 1944 ME, THOUGH HE
A58 Officer CRAWFORD 5. E. 5 Australian
Age 23 WERE DEAD,
400366 FORMAN Air Force
YET SHALL HE
LIVE
WELL DONE,
Warrant FREDERICK Royal
04 August 1944 THOU GOOD
A59 Officer WALTER 5. E. 6 Australian
Age 30 AND FAITHFUL
401375 HANDLEY Air Force
SERVANT
Flying Royal
ALLAN HENRY 01 January 1943
A60 Officer 8. G. 4 Australian -
HALEY Age 25
402054 Air Force
HIS DUTY
Flight FELIX Royal
28 October 1944 NOBLY DONE
A61 Lieutenant ANDREW 9. N. 8 Australian
Age 24 EVER
420481 McCORMICK Air Force
REMEMBERED
NO WORK
JOHN Royal
Sergeant 04 January 1943 BEGUN SHALL
A62 DRUMMOND 9. H. 4 Australian
402573 Age 31 EVER PAUSE
MAY Air Force
FOR DEATH
DEATH DOTH
Pilot PHILIP Royal
05 August 1943 3. K. 4- HIDE, BUT NOT
A63 Officer HAROLD Australian
Age 22 7 DIVIDE. UNITED
407522 MORPHETT Air Force
STILL ARE WE
WELL DONE
Flying PAUL WALTER Royal
24 August 1944 8. K. GOOD AND
A64 Officer WALLACE Australian
Age 26 1-6 FAITHFUL
401051 RICHARDSON Air Force
SERVANT. R.I.P
THEY SHALL
Warrant HAROLD Royal GROW NOT OLD,
21 April 1943
A65 Officer ELSDON 1. E. 12 Australian AS WE THAT
Age 24
402419 THORPE Air Force ARE LEFT GROW
OLD
Flying ALLAN Royal New
20 October 1944
NZ22 Officer EDWARD 2. H. 1 Zealand Air -
Age 23
405316 PARKER Force
Flight 11 September Royal New
JOHN HARPER
NZ23 Lieutenant 1944 2. G. 3 Zealand Air -
REEVES
415360 Age 24 Force

28
 Warrant Royal New
JOHN FRANCIS 12 August 1943
NZ24 Officer 9. K. 5 Zealand Air -
SIMMONS Age 26
404100 Force
Warrant ALEXANDER 03 November Royal New
NZ25 Officer GEORGE 1943 8. E. 3 Zealand Air -
412762 SUTHERLAND Age 25 Force
Pilot DAVID 20 September Royal New
NZ26 Officer WESTON 1943 2. B. 12 Zealand Air -
405347 WACHER Age 23 Force

29
 CALCUTTA (BHOWANIPORE) CEMETERY, KOLKATA

Conflict First and Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 713
Australians named 4
New Zealanders Inscribed 2

The Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata, was established in 1864 to service

military personnel and their dependants from the nearby Fort William garrison. During
the Second World War, various units important to the war effort were posted to the
area, including the No. 47 General Hospital from 1943 to 1945.

Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata, contains 95 Commonwealth graves from

the First World War, including the remains of one soldier who was reinterred from the
Fort Chingrikhali Cemetery in 1934. There are 617 Second World War graves. The
Commonwealth War Graves Commission also has responsibility for the maintenance
of 233 non-war burials in the cemetery.

In 1954, church authorities decided to reorder the mingled war and civilian plots.
Outlying graves were moved to a specific war service section containing only military
graves.

30
A6. Flight Sergeant Lawrence Keith Day

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 404924
Date of Birth & Place 1 June 1916; Richmond, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 3 December 1942; Dum Dum, West Bengal
Units No. 79 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata

Age: 26

Lawrence Day was born on 1 June 1916 in Richmond, Victoria, to Ernest Mervyn and
Mary Margaret Day of Lewisham, New South Wales, Australia. He was the fourth of
five children.

Lawrence completed technical schooling and in his early twenties moved to

Queensland to work on cattle stations, mainly repairing windmills. He also took flying
lessons, eventually accumulating 10 hours of solo piloting.

In December 1940, Lawrence enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and
commenced flying training at Narrandera, New South Wales. He continued his training
in Canada and after gaining his brevet joined the Royal Air Force in Southern England.

Flight Sergeant Day was transferred to 79 Squadron in India where he flew Hurricane
aircraft. He and one other Hurricane pilot were practising low-level dummy attacks on
an Indian Army gun position at Dum Dum, West Bengal, to exercise the unit’s anti-
aircraft defences. During the exercise, Flight Sergeant Day’s aircraft struck the ground,
killing him instantly.

31
A7. Warrant Officer James Peter Foody

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 30293
Date of Birth & Place 13 November 1917; Perth, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 1 December 1945; Dhubalia, West Bengal
Units No. 62 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata

Age: 28

James Peter Foody was born on 13 November 1917 in Perth, Western Australia to
John and Margaret Marion Foody, of Jolimont, Western Australia.

On 1 December 1945, while serving in 62 Squadron at Dhubalia, West Bengal,

Warrant Officer James Peter Foody died of acute nephritis at the Station Military
Hospital. He was buried at the Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata.

32
A8. Squadron Leader David William McCormack DFC

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400232
Date of Birth & Place 27 November 1917; Seddon, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 10 August 1944; Burma border (Myanmar)
Units No. 615 'County of Surrey' Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar

Age: 26

David William McCormack was born on 27 November 1917 in Seddon, Victoria, to

David Ralph and Mary Josephine McCormack. David worked as a clerk, a salesman,
and an electrical mechanic with the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

David enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force under the Empire Air Training
Scheme on 21 July 1940. He was commissioned in February 1941 and completed his
flight training at 55 Operational Training Unit. After being posted to 615 Squadron, he
took part in hazardous, low-level attacks in Belgium and northern France, as well as
against enemy shipping in the North Sea. In February 1942 he was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). His citation noted his determination in the face of
enemy fire and the inspiring example he set for others.

In March 1942 Squadron Leader McCormack deployed with his squadron to India, to
challenge the Japanese forces by carrying out long-distance sorties over inhospitable
terrain to the Arakan region of Burma (Myanmar). For his bravery he was awarded a
Bar to his DFC in 1943 and mentioned in dispatches in 1945. His second DFC Citation
read, “FLTLT McCormack has been actively engaged on operations in India since
October 1942. He has achieved excellent results on long distance sorties over difficult
country. As a pilot and Flight Commander, his cool courage and skill have been
invaluable to his Squadron. In attacks on Mandalay and Akyab (Sittwe), despite

33
considerable opposition, he allowed no obstacle to deter him from completing his tasks
successfully”.

Detached to training duties in April 1943, he took command of 615 Squadron in

February 1944 and was promoted to Squadron Leader on 1 July.

On 10 August 1944, Squadron Leader McCormack led sixteen Spitfire MH-640s in

formation from Palel, Imphal, to the squadron's new base at Baigachi, near Calcutta
(Kolkata). En route, they encountered the most violent type of monsoonal storm. His
aircraft was one of eight that crashed. Squadron Leader David McCormack was killed
in the crash and was buried in Calcutta (Bhowanipore) War Cemetery, Kolkata.

Squadron Leader McCormack was the epitome of an aggressive single-seat fighter and
ground-attack pilot from the Second World War.

34
A9. Flying Officer Malcolm Arthur McRae

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400817
Date of Birth & Place 17 February 1914; Yea, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 7 January 1943; Dum Dum, West Bengal
Units No. 135 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata

Age: 28

Malcolm Arthur McRae was born on 17 February 1914, in Yea, Victoria, to Farquhar
and Laura Mabel McRae of Caulfield, Victoria.

Flying Officer McRae was flying a Hurricane bomber, which caught fire mid-flight
and crash-landed at Dum Dum, West Bengal. He was buried at the Calcutta
(Bhowanipore) Cemetery in Kolkata.

35
NZ2. Sergeant Charles Thomas Kronk

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 41514
Date of Birth & Place 28 July 1918; Kohuratahi, Manawatu-Whanganui
Date of Death & Place 28 May 1942; Alipore, West Bengal
Units No. 67 Squadron, No. 5 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata

Age: 23

Charles Kronk was born at Kohuratahi on 28 July 1918, to Walter and Mary Kronk.
After studying at the Napier Boy’s High School, he worked in the port of Napier as a
clerk.

Charles joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 18 January 1941, and after pilot
training he posted to Singapore in July. He served with distinction in several Buffalo
fighter squadrons defending Singapore and participated in the first destruction of a
Japanese aircraft over the city.

In February 1942 Sergeant Kronk was injured in a collision during combat and
evacuated to India. He was posted to 67 Squadron in April 1942, following his recovery
and service in 5 Squadron.

On 28 May 1942, Sergeant Kronk was killed when his Hurricane aircraft crashed while
flying at low altitude near Alipore, Kolkata.

36
NZ3. Pilot Officer Eric Edward Pedersen

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 403984
Date of Birth & Place 2 March 1916; Taihape
Date of Death & Place 18 March 1943; Alipore, West Bengal
Units No. 243 Squadron, No. 67 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata

Age: 27

Eric Pedersen was born at Taihape on 2 March 1916, to Samuel and Eleanor Pedersen.
After attending Hastings High School, Eric worked in an orchard and was a member
of the Hawkes Bay & East Coast Aero Club and the Royal New Zealand Air Force
Reserve. He was married to Pearl Peace Pedersen.

Eric joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot on 27 October 1940, and after
training in New Zealand embarked for Singapore, in April 1941. He flew Buffalo
fighters with 243 Squadrons, and 67 Squadron before its transfer to Burma in October
1941. He received his commission as an officer in February 1943.

On 18 March 1943, Pilot Officer Pedersen was engaged in a dogfight training exercise
with another pilot, when his Hurricane was lost from sight. The wreckage of his aircraft
was later found ten miles east of the village of Mathurapur, West Bengal. His remains
were recovered and interred at the Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata.

37
 DELHI WAR CEMETERY & DELHI 1914-18 MEMORIAL

Conflict First and Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 1,154
Australians Inscribed 10
New Zealanders Inscribed 5

The Delhi War Cemetery was established in 1951 to accommodate the remains of
combatants from several cantonment cemeteries including Allahabad, Kanpur
(Cawnpore), Dehra Dun, and Lucknow, to ensure the maintenance of their graves.
There are now 1,022 Commonwealth casualties from the Second World War buried at
the cemetery or commemorated by the Delhi 1914-18 Memorial. There are war graves
from various nationalities including many Dutch soldiers. In 1966, remains from 99
First World War burials were transferred to the cemetery from the Nicholson
Cemetery, New Delhi.

Delhi War Cemetery also contains the Delhi 1914-18 Memorial, which was built to
commemorate 153 casualties buried in the Meerut Cantonment Cemetery, whose
graves could no longer be maintained.

38
A10. Flying Officer Edward Keith Hender

Centre profile back row

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 407855
Date of Birth & Place 12 February 1911; Mount Barker, South Australia
Date of Death & Place 31 July 1944; Juna, Gujarat
Units No. 21 Ferry Control, No. 308 Maintenance Unit
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 33

Edward Keith Hender was born on 12 February 1911, at Mount Barker, South Australia
to Edward Job and Eliza Hender of North Walkerville.

A stock agent by trade, Edward enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 1
February 1941. Following training in Western Australia, he served in England and the
Middle East.

On 31 July 1944, Flying Officer Hender was flying in formation with another Mosquito
HP 882 as part of a transfer flight from 21 Ferry Control Unit to 308 Maintenance Unit.
During take-off he entered a cloud between 100 and 200 feet above ground level. While
in the cloud, he entered the slipstream of the other Mosquito and was unable to recover
control of his aircraft before it crashed to the ground. Flying Officer Hender was killed
in the accident.

39
A11. Warrant Officer Bowyer Frederick Pearce

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406168
Date of Birth & Place 14 August 1914; Mount Lawley, Western
Australia
Date of Death & Place 11 October 1942; Asansol, West Bengal
Units No. 113 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 28

Bowyer Frederick Pearce was born on 14 August 1914, at Mount Lawley, Western
Australia. He was the son of Percy William Edward and Dora Ellen Pearce.

Bowyer enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 20 August 1940. In July 1941,
following training in Australia, he embarked for Egypt from Perth to serve with the
Royal Air Force. He saw service in the Middle East and Kenya before serving with 113
Squadron, RAF.

On 11 October 1942, Warrant Officer Pearce crewed a Blenheim IV (Z9598) on an

Army co-operation flight from Dokahani Road, Asansol. His aircraft struck a tree while
flying at low height and crashed, inverted, about 300 yards away. All members of the
crew were killed in the accident.

40
A.12 Flying Officer John Heywood Rowe

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400375
Date of Birth & Place 20 July 1914; Hawthorn, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 29 August 1942; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 28

John Heywood Rowe was born on 20 July 1914, in Hawthorn, Victoria, to Arthur
Heywood and Olivia Louisa Rowe. John worked for Alfred Barrow Pty Ltd as a
secretary and accountant prior to enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force on 18
August 1940.

Flying Officer Rowe was serving with 45 Squadron when he was killed in a flying
accident on 29 August 1942, at Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh.

41
A13. Flying Officer William John Tolliday

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 410793
Date of Birth & Place 16 March 1922; Darling, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 13 June 1945; Patna, Bihar
Units No. 96 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 23

William John Tolliday was born on 16 March 1922, in Darling, Victoria. He was the
son of Leslie Harris and Mary Bruce Tolliday of Clunes, Victoria.

William enlisted with the Victorian Scottish Regiment at the age of 18 and a year later,
transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force. In 1943, he was attached to a Lancaster
Squadron in England and completed operations over Germany and occupied territories.
He then served as an instructor in England before being posted to the Coastal Command
and subsequently the South East Asia Command.

On 13 June 1945, Flying Officer Tolliday was the wireless operator of a Dakota
(KN468) transport plane which crashed due to engine failure during a daytime flight
near Dinawa, Patna. He was killed in the crash.

The flight’s navigator and fellow Australian, Flight Lieutenant James Jeffery Allen,
also died from his injuries two days after the crash.

42
A14. Flight Lieutenant James Jeffery Allen DFC

Flight Lieutenant James Allen with his wife

and daughter after receiving a DFC from
King George VI during an investiture at Buckingham Palace

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 411723
Date of Birth & Place 5 April 1915; Sydney, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 15 June 1945; Patna, Bihar
Units No. 466 Squadron, No. 96 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross

Age: 30

James Jeffery Allen was born on 5 April 1917, in Sydney, New South Wales, to James
William and Irene Mary Allen. James married Nancy Allen and together they had a
daughter, Josephine. His father was the general secretary of the Graziers Association.

James enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 May 1941, and he undertook
training in Canada and England before being assigned to 466 Squadron. In 1943, he
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for “skill and fortitude in
operations against the enemy”.

Flight Lieutenant Allen was posted to 96 Squadron in India in January 1945. On 13

June 1945, he was the navigator of a Dakota (KN468) transport plane, which crashed
due to engine failure during a daytime flight near Dinawa, Patna. Flight Lieutenant
Allen died from his injuries two days after the crash.

The flight’s wireless operator and fellow Australian, Flying Officer William John
Tolliday, was also killed in the crash.

43
A15. Flying Officer Jack Trenberth

Centre, middle row

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 407756
Date of Birth & Place 13 January 1915; Bondi, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 13 July 1942; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 308 Maintenance Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 27

Jack Trenberth was born on 13 January 1915, in Bondi, New South Wales. He was the
son of Harold Herbert and Jessie Trenberth, and husband of Dorothy Kathleen
Trenberth.

Jack enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 4 January 1941. He was deployed
to Egypt in September 1941 to serve in the Royal Air Force Headquarters, Middle East.
In March 1942 he was transferred to Air Headquarters India and later 308 Maintenance
Unit, where he served as a test pilot.

During a test flight near Allahabad on 13 July 1942, Flying Officer Trenberth’s
Blenheim (V5528) aircraft hit the ground and was destroyed. The probable cause of
the crash was a structural failure as the aircraft made no attempt to recover from the
dive. Flying Officer Trenberth was killed in the crash.

Fellow Australian, Flight Sergeant Frederick Leonard Ellers, was also killed in the
crash.

44
A16. Flight Sergeant Frederick Leonard Ellers

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406142
Date of Birth & Place 22 June 1920; Perth, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 13 July 1942; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 308 Maintenance Unit, No. 34 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 22

Frederick Leonard Ellers was born on 22 June 1920 in Perth, Western Australia to
Fredrick and Violet May Ellers of Claremont, Western Australia.

Frederick enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 15 August 1940. He had two
brothers who also served in the Air Force – John Henry Ellers and Lyall Garnet Ellers
– both of whom survived the war.

During a test flight near Allahabad on 13 July 1942, Flight Sergeant Ellers’ Blenheim
(V5528) aircraft hit the ground and was destroyed. The probable cause of the crash was
a structural failure as the aircraft made no attempt to recover from the dive. Flight
Sergeant Ellers was killed in the crash.

Fellow Australian, Flying Officer Jack Trenberth, was also killed in the crash.

45
A17. Pilot Officer Norman Frederick Westhoff

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 35271
Date of Birth & Place 14 September 1911; Newtown, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 26 January 1944; Gaya, Bihar
Units No. 22 Ferry Control, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 32

Norman Westhoff was born on 14 September 1911, in Newtown, New South Wales,
to Harry and Jessica Westhoff. Norman married Dorothy May Westhoff and had two
daughters, Anne Marie and Barbara Jessica Westhoff.

Norman enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 27 February 1941. He attended
training in Australia, Canada and England before serving in India with the Royal Air
Force.

On 26 January 1944, Pilot Officer Westhoff was attached to 22 Ferry Control Unit,
carrying out low flying aerobatic manoeuvres in a Tiger Moth aircraft at Gaya Airfield
in Bihar. During one such manoeuvre he was left with insufficient space for a full
recovery, and his aircraft hit the ground and immediately caught fire. Pilot Officer
Westhoff was killed in the accident.

46
A18. Flight Sergeant Ansell Edward Britten-Jones

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 416016
Date of Birth & Place 28 May 1921; Melbourne, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 15 April 1943; Palam, Delhi
Units No. 353 Squadron, No. 194 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 21

Ansell Edward Britten-Jones was born on 28 May 1921 in Melbourne, Victoria. He

was the only son of Ansell and Kathleen Mary Britten-Jones.

Ansell enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and completed training in Australia
and England. In December 1942 he was posted to 353 Squadron, and in March 1943
he posted to 194 Squadron.

On 15 April 1943, Flight Sergeant Britten-Jones was piloting a Hudson VI (FK411)

aircraft when it crashed during take-off from Palam Airfield in New Delhi. He was
killed in the accident and buried at the Delhi War Cemetery.

47
A19. Flight Lieutenant William James Corbett

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400527
Date of Birth & Place 24 September 1919; West Brunswick, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 07 May 1944; Digri, West Bengal
Units No. 357 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 24

William James Corbett was born on 24 September 1919, in West Brunswick, Victoria,
to Major William James and Sylvia May Corbett. He married Irene Margaret Corbett.

William enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 15 September 1940, and after
training he was posted to 357 Squadron in India. On 6 May 1944, his Liberator III (BZ
923) aircraft took off from Digri Airfield on a special operation. The next morning,
reports suggested he had crashed 20 minutes from the base, half a mile west of
Burdwan Railway Station, north-west of Kolkata. Flight Lieutenant Corbett was killed
in the crash. The pilots from other aircraft on the same flight blamed severe weather
for the crash.

48
NZ4. Sergeant Harold Kay

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 404377
Date of Birth & Place 26 October 1920; Wellington
Date of Death & Place 12 May 1942; Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar
Pradesh
Units No. 21 Squadron, 34 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 21

Harold Kay was born in Wellington on 26 October 1920, to Dorothy Kay. He attended
Takapuna Grammar School and Seddon Memorial Technical College in Auckland,
before becoming a postman with the Postal and Telegraph Department. He learned to
fly in 1938 with the Auckland Aero Club.

Harold joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot under training on 24
November 1940. He was posted to Britain in May 1941, and in October, after gaining
experience on Blenheim bombers, joined 21 Squadron on a flight to Malta. He then
ferried a Blenheim bomber to Singapore, arriving as the city fell to the Japanese. He
was posted to 34 Squadron as they were evacuating to Sumatra, and later India, where
they reformed.

On 12 May 1942, Sergeant Kay flew a Blenheim bomber on a test flight from
Allahabad (Prayagraj). During the flight the aircraft had an engine failure and made a
crash landing. All three crew members were badly injured. Sergeant Kay died the
following day in hospital.

Sergeant Kay was initially buried in Allahabad and later reinterred at the Delhi War
Cemetery.

49
NZ5. Flight Sergeant Sidney Beverley Murphy

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 412260
Date of Birth & Place 24 September 1918; Gisborne, Poverty Bay
Date of Death & Place 7 April 1944; New Delhi, Delhi
Units No. 10 Aircraft Delivery Unit, No. 21 Ferry
Control, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 25

Sidney Beverley Murphy was born in Gisborne on 24 September 1918, to Ralph and
Muriel Murphy. Sidney attended the Whanganui Collegiate School, which he
represented in rugby. After graduation he worked for his father as a shepherd on the
family’s sheep station at Panikau.

Sidney joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot under training on 12 April
1941 and obtained his pilot’s brevet on 29 November 1941. He arrived in Britain in
March 1942 and trained at the Coastal Command on Beaufort torpedo bombers. He
then served with 10 Aircraft Delivery Unit and flew a Beaufort aircraft to India as a
ferry flight in June 1943. He then joined 21 Ferry Control Unit in Mauripur.

Flight Sergeant Murphy died from polio on 7 April 1944, a few days after he was
admitted to a New Delhi hospital.

50
NZ6. Lieutenant Barrie John Patten

Service New Zealand Military Forces (Army)

Service number 618193 and 2/56/1306
Date of Birth & Place 20 November 1907; Liverpool, England
Date of Death & Place 4 April 1945; Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal
Units 17 Battery NZ Artillery, Royal Engineers
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Burial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 37

Barrie John Patten was born in Liverpool, England, to James Latham and Alice
Elizabeth (née Keeble) Patten. Barrie attended Petone West Primary School and
Wellington Technical High School and after graduation qualified as a Draughtsman.

Between 1938 and 1942, Barrie spent one and a half years constructing airfields and
flying bases in New Zealand and the Central and South Pacific, including Fiji. He was
also engaged in airfield construction projects for the American forces.

Barrie was later employed as the deputy and assistant to the Director of Works in the
Air Department of the Department of Works. He also served in the Territorial Force as
a Non-Commissioned Officer from 1923 to 1933 with 17 Battery, NZ Artillery, and he
was a member of various Unit Bands.

Lieutenant Patten enlisted for active service on 22 September 1944, and embarked for
India five days later, arriving on 4 December 1944.

On 4 April 1945, whilst on active service, Lieutenant Patten died as the result of a road
accident near Calcutta (Kolkata).

51
NZ7. Sergeant William Alexander Shannon

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 405328
Date of Birth & Place 26 May 1917; Wellington
Date of Death & Place 16 June 1942; Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 34 Squadron, No. 60 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 25 years

William Alexander Shannon was born in Feilding on 26 May 1917, to William and
Jean Shannon. After attending Wanganui Collegiate School, William became the
manager of his father’s sheep station near Halcombe.

William joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 21 December 1940, and he
received his pilot’s brevet on 5 May 1941. He arrived in Singapore in August 1941 to
bolster the local defences by flying Blenheim bombers with 34 Squadron and later 60
Squadron. When Malaya fell to the Japanese he evacuated with the squadron to India.

On 16 June 1942, Sergeant Shannon was ferrying a Blenheim bomber from Allahabad
to Asansol when, after one circuit, the aircraft descended and crashed behind trees. It
was believed he had fainted in the hot climate after a long wait on the runway to take
off.

52
NZ8. Flying Officer Noel Buchanan Daniel

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 414262
Date of Birth & Place 21 November 1917; Christchurch, Canterbury
Date of Death & Place 29 March 1943; border area, India-Burma
(Myanmar)
Units No. 62 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Delhi War Cemetery

Age: 25 years

Noel Buchanan Daniel was born in Christchurch on 30 November 1917, to Arnold and
Matilda Daniel of Fendalton. Noel attended West Christchurch District High School
before working in Papanui as a carpenter for his father.

Noel joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot under training on 27 June
1941, and he embarked for Britain in January 1942. He trained on Lockheed Hudson
aircraft with the Coastal Command and embarked for India in August 1942. In
December 1942 he was posted to 62 Squadron in Jessore.

On 29 March 1943, Flying Officer Daniel and his crew took part in a raid on Meiktila
in Burma (Myanmar). On the return trip, his Hudson ran low on fuel and, in searching
for a place to land, crashed into hills near the village of Jitpur, north of Calcutta
(Kolkata). Flying Officer Daniel and two others died in the crash, and the injured
navigator died shortly afterwards.

53
 GAUHATI WAR CEMETERY

Conflict Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 486
Australians Inscribed 4
New Zealanders Inscribed 1

The Gauhati War Cemetery was established during the Second World War to service
several military hospitals in the area. Gauhati (Guwahati) is the capital city of the state
of Assam in North East India and is situated on the Eastern side of the Brahmaputra
river. The war cemetery lies within the residential area of Silpukhuri on Navagraha
Road, near the Navagraha Hindu Temple.

Since the war, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has brought the remains
of combatants to cemetery from the Amari Bari Military Cemetery, Sylhet Military
Cemetery, Mohachara Cemetery, Nowgong Civil Cemetery and Gauhati Civil
Cemetery, to ensure the permanent maintenance of their graves.

Further remains were brought to the cemetery in 1952 from isolated sites in the Lushai
Hills, and from civil cemeteries in Badarpur, Cooch Bahar, Darjeeling, Dhubri,
Dibrugarh, Dinjan, Katapahar, Lebong, Lumding, Shillong and Silchar.

There are now 486 Commonwealth service personnel from the Second World War
buried or commemorated within the cemetery, 25 of which remain unidentified. The
cemetery also accommodates 24 Chinese war graves and two non-war graves.

A caretaker residing on site keeps a register of the graves in their bungalow.

54
A20. Pilot Officer Mervyn Leslie Cecil DFC

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406517
Date of Birth & Place 27 December 1919; Subiaco, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 30 July 1944; Silchar, Assam
Units 3rd Tactical Air Force, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Gauhati War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross

Age: 24

Mervyn Leslie Cecil was born at Herdsman Road, Subiaco, in December 1919, to
Leslie and Winifred Cecil. After graduating from Perth Boys School, Mervyn joined
the Australian Broadcasting Commission as a clerk.

Mervyn enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1941 at the age of 19 and
trained at Pearce before posting to South Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). He was
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and his citation read, “He flew a large
proportion of the total casualties, operating for nine hours per day, in open cockpit,
over dense cloud, and always liable to encounter enemy fighters or ground fire. On
numerous occasions, he took off and landed without incident from short landing strips,
once flying fitters and spare parts to a strip 310 yards long, in order to rescue a fellow
pilot and aircraft. This mission was accomplished under enemy fire and both aircraft
took off only half an hour before the enemy occupied the landing ground. Warrant
Officer Cecil displayed a high degree of courage and devotion to duty in all
operations.” His Commanding Officer, in a letter to Mervyn’s parents, said he was “He
has been instrumental in saving the lives of hundreds of wounded soldiers out here,
flying them from under the noses of the enemy”.

On 30 July 1944, Pilot Officer Cecil was killed when his Proctor LZ753 aircraft
struck telephone wires in Silchar, Assam, and crashed.

55
A21. Warrant Officer Gordon Roger Jeffreys

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406358
Date of Birth & Place 25 September 1918; Fremantle, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 15 March 1943; Khumbirgram, Assam
Units No. 34 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Gauhati War Cemetery

Age: 24

Gordon Roger Jeffreys was born on 25 September 1918, to Robert Stanley and Rosa
Jeffreys of Fremantle, Western Australia.

Gordon enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and was awarded his brevet in 1941.

On 15 March 1943, Warrant Officer Jeffereys was flying a Blenheim (BA617) aircraft
from Silchar Aerodrome to Khumbirgram Aerodrome in Assam when, at 1530 hours,
the aircraft crashed. The wreckage was found 25 miles east of the Khumbirgram. No
bombs were carried on board the aircraft. Witnesses suggested the aircraft had stalled
while carrying out a turn at very low speed, with its undercarriage and flaps down.

All crew members of the sortie, including Warrant Officer Jeffereys, were killed in the
crash.

56
A22. Warrant Officer Garnet Pratt

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 429155
Date of Birth & Place 22 October 1914; Temora, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 2 June 1945; Karim, Assam
Units No. 215 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Gauhati War Cemetery

Age: 31

Garnet Pratt was born on 22 October 1914, at Temora, New South Wales. He was the
son of Albert Ernest and Mary Jane Pratt of Manly, New South Wales.

On 2 June 1945, Warrant Officer Pratt was flying a Dakota IV (KN 283) aircraft with
five other crew on a non-operational flight. At 0700 hours, nine miles south of East
Karim (Karin), the aircraft encountered violent turbulence while flying through
cumulus clouds. The aircraft was stressed beyond its design limits and disintegrated in
mid-air. All on board were killed in the crash.

Warrant Officer Pratt was initially buried at Silchar Cemetery (Military Section), Grave
413, on 4 June 1945, and later reinterred at Gauhati War Cemetery.

57
A23. Flying Officer Edward Andrew Thynne

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 414103
Date of Birth & Place 13 May 1913; Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 19 February 1945; Silchar, Assam
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Gauhati War Cemetery

Age: 31

Edward Andrew Thynne was born on 13 May 1913, in Brisbane, Queensland. He was
the son of Edward Thomas Francis and Elizabeth Anne Thynne, of Maleny,
Queensland.

On 19 February 1945, Flying Officer Thynne was conducting a night take-off from
Kumbhirgram Aerodrome in Assam, when his de Havilland DH98 Mosquito FB Mk
VI aircraft crashed into the ground, killing both crew members.

58
NZ9. Warrant Officer John Sawers McQueen

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 412248
Date of Birth & Place 4 January 1919; Invercargill, Southland
Date of Death & Place 3 January 1945; Burma (Myanmar)
Units No. 488 (NZ) Squadron, No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Gauhati War Cemetery

Age: 25

John Sawers McQueen was born on 4 January 1919, in Invercargill, Southland. He was
the son of David Warwick and Agnes McKay McQueen Sawers. John attended
Southland Boy’s High School and worked as a factory assistant at the Kennington Co-
op Dairy Factory.

John joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 13 April 1941, and he proceeded to
Canada for training as a pilot. He qualified in November 1941 and received further
training on Beaufighter aircraft in England. In July 1942 he joined 488 (NZ) Squadron,
and in January 1943 he undertook conversion training to Mosquito aircraft. He then
ferried a Mosquito to India in October 1944, where he joined 45 Squadron and
completed many operations.

On 3 January 1945, Warrant Officer McQueen took off on a sortie to Thazi in Burma
(Myanmar). His Mosquito suffered engine failure during take-off and crashed in the
jungle, killing both crew members.

59
 IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY

Conflict Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 1,600
Australians Inscribed 5
New Zealanders Inscribed 3

Imphal is the capital of the state of Manipur in India’s far north east, on the border with
Myanmar. The Imphal War Cemetery was established during the Second World War
to accommodate around 950 war graves. After hostilities ceased, the remains of other
Commonwealth military members were transferred to the cemetery from two smaller
cemeteries in Imphal, and other isolated locations in the surrounding region. The
cemetery now contains 1,462 identified Commonwealth burials from the Second
World War.

Battle of Imphal

In May 1942, as the Japanese approached Rangoon (Yangon), Commonwealth forces

retreated to India via the Chindwin tracks to Imphal. In their wake came 400,000
civilian refugees, many of whom died on the arduous journey under ceaseless rain.
Defending India and retaining the main route to re-enter Burma became a strategic
imperative.

In response, 23 Indian Division was formed in Manipur, and new airfields and hospitals
were constructed. Army and air force reinforcements were beckoned. By November
1944, a considerable Commonwealth fighting force had concentrated around Imphal.
On 12 March 1944, the Japanese launched their invasion of India with 150,000 troops,
aimed at Imphal and nearby Kohima. There was fierce fighting. The Japanese seized a
significant section of the Imphal-Kohima Road and held it for over three months. The
14th Army led by Field Marshal William Slim retaliated, inflicting the heaviest
Japanese defeat of the war till that time. Victories at the Battle of Imphal and Battle of
Kohima marked the turning point of the Burma campaign and the South-East Asian
theatre of war.

60
A24. Flight Lieutenant George Ashmore Leeton Evatt

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 412808
Date of Birth & Place 10 September 1922; Leeton, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 1 January 1945; Tamu, Manipur
Units No. 28 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 22

George Ashmore Leeton Evatt was born on 10 September 1922, in Leeton, New South
Wales to George Joseph and Stella Raymond Evatt of New South Wales. He was a
public service clerk prior to enlisting on 20 July 1941.

George completed his initial training and progressed to the Pilots Intermediate and
Advanced Training Course (9 February to 25 June 1942) at 7 Service Flying Training
School, RAAF Station Deniliquin, New South Wales. In September 1942 he embarked
in Sydney for service in Britain. He was later posted to 28 Squadron.

On 1 January 1945, Flight Lieutenant Evatt was flying a Hawker Hurricane fighter
bomber when the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Tamu, Manipur. He was buried at
the Imphal War Cemetery.

61
A25. Warrant Officer Joseph Albert Hopper

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 37259
Date of Birth & Place 28 November 1920; Marrickville, New South
Wales
Date of Death & Place 17 August 1944; Palel, Manipur
Units No. 34 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 23

Joseph Albert Hopper was born on 28 November 1920, at Marrickville, New South
Wales, to Joseph Claude and Violet Hopper of Dulwich Hill, New South Wales.

After enlistment, Joseph was posted to India where he flew Hurricane fighter-bomber
aircraft. He was fortunate to survive baling out of Hurricane aircraft on two occasions.

On 17 August 1944, Warrant Officer Hopper took off in a Hurricane from Palel,
Manipur, on a test flight. After 25 minutes airborne, the Hurricane made a steep turn
and entered a spin. It crashed into the ground and burst into flames.

Warrant Officer Hopper died from multiple injuries received in the crash and was
buried at the Imphal War Cemetery, Manipur.

62
A26. Flying Officer James Maxwell Levey

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 408855
Date of Birth & Place 7 September 1917; Hawthorn, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 17 December 1944; Yazagyo, Burma (Myanmar)
Units No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 27

James Maxwell Levey was born on 7 September 1917, at Hawthorn, Victoria, to James
Edgar Roy and Florence Levey of Kew, Victoria.

James was posted to 45 Squadron, which relocated from Egypt to Burma in February
1942 to confront the Japanese forces. After being reequipped with de Havilland
Mosquito VI aircraft, the squadron undertook conversion training from February to
September 1944. They quickly resumed active missions and gained a reputation for
being bridge-busters.

On 17 December 1944, Flying Officer Levey was piloting a Mosquito FB (VIHR 453)
aircraft when it crashed in Yazagyo, Burma (Myanmar). He was killed in the crash and
buried at the Imphal War Cemetery in Manipur.

The aircraft’s observer and fellow Australian, Flying Officer Harry James Scutchings
Cargill, was also killed in the crash.

63
A27. Flying Officer Harry James Scutchings Cargill

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406193
Date of Birth & Place 20 March 1919; Perth, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 17 December 1944; Burma (Myanmar)
Units No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 25

Harry James Scutchings Cargill was born on 20 March 1919, in Perth, to David and
Annie Cargill of Mount Lawley, Western Australia. He had one brother.

Harry enlisted in Perth in September 1940 and was immediately posted to Victoria for
flying training, and subsequently other training facilities on the eastern coast of
Australia.

Before being posted to 45 Squadron of the Royal Air Force in March 1944, Harry
participated in air operations with 11, 2 and 240 Squadrons. In February 1943 he was
promoted to the rank of Flying Officer and posted to 45 Squadron, which relocated
from Egypt to Burma in February 1942 to confront the Japanese forces. After being
reequipped with de Havilland Mosquito VI aircraft, the squadron undertook conversion
training from February to September 1944. They quickly resumed active missions and
gained a reputation for being bridge-busters.

On 17 December 1944, Flying Officer Cargill was the observer of a Mosquito FB VI

HR 453 aircraft when it crashed in Yazagyo, Burma (Myanmar). He was killed in the
crash and buried at the Imphal War Cemetery, Manipur.

The pilot of the aircraft and fellow Australian, Flying Officer James Maxwell Levey,
was also killed in the crash.

64
A28. Warrant Officer Bernard Michael Pritchard

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 413660
Date of Birth & Place 18 June 1923; Flemington, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 30 April 1944; Palel, Manipur
Units No. 60 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 20

Bernard Michael Pritchard was born on 18 June 1923 in Flemington, New South Wales
to George Albert and Nanona Pritchard of Tottenham, New South Wales.

Bernard enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force and after training was attached to
60 Squadron in India. On 30 April 1944, he piloted one of twelve Hurricane aircraft
that took off to attack enemy positions on the Palel-Tamu Road. During the flight, His
aircraft was seen to dive almost vertically from 7,000 feet towards the ground, bursting
into flames upon impact.

A parachute was seen above the crash site. The other aircraft from the flight circled the
chute as it descended. Warrant Officer Pritchard was alive and apparently unhurt. He
was last seen endeavouring to return to Allied lines. Unfortunately, he was spotted at
dawn by a Ghurkha patrol who mistook him for a Japanese soldier and opened fire,
killing him.

He was buried at the Imphal War Cemetery, Manipur.

65
NZ10. Squadron Leader Mervyn Robert Bruce Ingram DFC

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 402190 (previously A402190)
Date of Birth & Place 13 December 1921; Dunedin, Otago
Date of Death & Place 11 July 1944; Manipur
Units No. 232 Squadron, No. 152 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross

Age: 22

Mervyn Robert Bruce Ingram was born on 13 December 1921, in Dunedin, to Charles
William Nepean and Jemima Moir Webster Ingram. Prior to the war, Mervyn worked
as a clerk with Shell Oil in Dunedin.

After joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in July 1940, Mervyn completed basic
pilot’s training and then travelled to Europe where he served with several fighter
squadrons based in England and Malta between April and June 1942. He later served
in North Africa until August 1942, when he suffered an injury in an air accident. He
was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 6 October 1942.

After serving as an instructor for nearly a year, he returned to 232 Squadron in Malta
to take part in the invasion of Sicily. In August 1943, he took command of 152
Squadron and led it to India.

While landing on 21 June 1944, following an escort mission where he destroyed eight
enemy aircraft, Squadron Leader Ingram’s Spitfire force-landed just short of the
runway. He suffered facial injuries in the accident and subsequently contracted tetanus.
He died from the infection several weeks later, on 11 July 1944.

66
NZ11. Flight Sergeant Sidney Ernest Sadler

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 428047
Date of Birth & Place 19 April 1917; Nelson, Tasman
Date of Death & Place 23 January 1945; Imphal, Manipur
Units No. 11 Operational Training Unit, No. 358
Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 27

Sidney Ernest Sadler was born in Nelson on 19 April 1917, to Jesse and Ethel Sadler.
He was married to Lillian Emily Sadler. Prior to the war, Sidney lived in the suburb of
Kilbirnie and worked as a tram conductor for the Wellington City Corporation.

Sidney joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 1 August 1942 and after basic
training mustered as a wireless operator/air gunner. From April 1943, he trained in
Canada and the following year posted to 11 Operational Training Unit in Britain.

In October 1944, Flight Sergeant Sadler was posted to 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit in
Worli, India. The unit became operational with Liberator aircraft as 358 Squadron on
November 1944.

On the night of 22 January 1945, Flight Sergeant Sadler’s Liberator aircraft failed to
return from an air-drop resupply mission in French Indochina, in support of the Special
Operations Executive. His aircraft had crashed in bad weather, and the wreckage and
remains of the crew were found several weeks later. They were interred at the Imphal
War Cemetery.

67
NZ12. Second Lieutenant Eric Gascoyne Cecil Todd

Service New Zealand Military Forces (Army)

Service number 40457 and 2/1/47
Date of Birth & Place 21 November 1918; Invercargill
Date of Death & Place 23 June 1942; India
Units 2 Battalion, 19 Hyderabad Regiment, Indian Army
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Imphal War Cemetery

Age: 23

Eric Gascoyne Cecil Todd was born on 21 November 1918, in Invercargill, to Robert
Nicholas and Elsie Catherine Todd.

Eric enlisted on 9 July 1940, and he commenced service with the Infantry on 7 January
1941. He served in the Territorial Forces, rising to the rank of Sergeant in 1 Battalion,
the Wellington Regiment. On 18 April 1941, he received his commission upon
graduation from the Officer Cadet Training Unit (7th intake), Army School of
Instruction in Trentham, New Zealand.

On 27 June 1941, Second Lieutenant Todd embarked in His Majesty’s NZ Troopship

at Wellington bound for Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). He died of malaria on 23
June 1942.

68
 KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY

Conflict First and Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 1,668
Australians Inscribed 9
New Zealanders Inscribed 4

The Kirkee War Cemetery was created to receive Second World War graves from
minor civil and cantonment cemeteries in the western and central parts of India where
their permanent maintenance could not be assured. The cemetery contains 1,668
Commonwealth, 1 Polish and 1 American service personnel from the Second World
War, and 7 non-war burials.

In 1962, the remains of 629 First World War service personnel were brought to the
cemetery from the Sewri Cemetery in Mumbai and reinterred in the grassed area
between the Memorial and the Cross of Sacrifice. They are commemorated by name
on the Kirkee War Memorial (see First World War section).

69
A29. Flight Sergeant James Frederick Allen

No Image Available

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 405616
Date of Birth & Place 28 August 1921; Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 1 September 1943; Pune, Maharashtra
Units Attached Royal Air Force Station Poona
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 22

James Frederick Allen was born on 28 August 1921, in Brisbane, to Robert George
Cary Allen and Selena Lucelle Allen of Greenslopes, Queensland.

James joined the Royal Australian Air Force and was posted to India as a Navigator
and Bomb Aimer.

On 1 September 1943, while on a recreational trip to Poona (Pune), Flight Sergeant

Allen was hit by a car while riding his bycycle. He died of internal bleeding as result
of the accident.

70
A30. Petty Officer Charlie William Percy Barker

Service Royal Australian Navy

Service number 19052
Date of Birth & Place 24 August 1908; Croydon, England
Date of Death & Place 10 December 1939; Bombay (Mumbai)
Final Rank Petty officer
Units HMAS Hobart
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 31

Charlie William Percy Barker was born on 24 August 1908, in Croydon, England.
Charlie was married to Thelma Barker of Sydney, New South Wales.

Charlie enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy and was serving in HMAS Hobart on 8
November 1939, when it joined the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle and the destroyer HMS
Wescott as part of an convoy escort to Colombo.

On 2 December 1939, HMAS Hobart escorted the troop ship HMS Akbar from
Bombay (Mumbai) to Aden to pick up HMS Ettrick for its return voyage to Bombay.
Petty Officer Barker became seriously ill during the voyage and required urgent
medical attention. Consequently, HMAS Hobart left HMS Ettrick and proceeded to
Bombay at full speed. Petty Officer Barker died in a Bombay hospital the day after his
arrival.

71
A31. Lance Corporal Robert Thomas James Crouch

Service Australian Army

Service number WX5667
Date of Birth & Place 7 August 1912; Albany, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 7 February 1942; Arabian Sea, (Mumbai)
Final Rank Lance Corporal
Units 2/16 Australian Infantry Battalion
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 29

Robert Thomas James Crouch was born on 7 August 1912, in Albany, to Robert and
Charlotte Amelia Crouch of Frankland River, Western Australia. Robert was married
to Winifred Adeline Crouch.

Lance Corporal Crouch’s battalion was on a return voyage from Lebanon to Australia,
following Japan’s entry into the war, when he became ill and died of disease.

72
A32. Lieutenant William Hargreaves Deans

No Image Available

Service Royal Australian Naval Reserve

Service number
Date of Birth & Place 14 November 1900; Glasgow, Scotland
Date of Death & Place 24 September 1943; Indian Ocean (Mumbai)
Units HMAS Tamworth
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 42

William Hargreaves Deans was born on 14 November 1900 in Glasgow, Scotland, to

David and Mary Deans of Newcastle, New South Wales. William was married to Clara
Catherine Deans.

Lieutenant Deans commanded the warship HMAS Tamworth from 5 August 1942 to
24 September 1943. He became ill and died in his ship while transiting the Indian
Ocean.

73
A33. Flight Lieutenant Harold Edgar Hayter

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 257620
Date of Birth & Place 2 February 1903; Dulwich, South Australia
Date of Death & Place 16 August 1943; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units No. 227 Group, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 40

Harold Edgar Hayter was born on 2 February 1903 in Dulwich, South Australia, to
William George Hayter. Harold was married to Jean Mary Hayter.

Flight Lieutenant Hayter was posted to 227 RAF Training Group when he died of
illness at the Bombay Military Hospital. He was buried at the Kirkee War Cemetery.

74
A34. Leading Seaman Hector Wallace Ladd

Service Royal Australian Naval Reserve

Service number S/3774
Date of Birth & Place 11 November 1896; Sydney, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 19 January 1942; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units HMS President III, HMAS Armadale
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 48

Hector Wallace Ladd was born on 11 November 1896, to Albert and Rose Margaret
Ladd of Bankstown, New South Wales. Hector was married to Pearl Eva Ladd.

Leading Seaman Ladd was serving in HMAS Armadale. Due to serious illness, he
disembarked from the ship and was admitted to St George Hospital, Bombay
(Mumbai), where he died on 19 January 1942.

75
A35. Warrant Officer Joseph Patrick Shanahan

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 418186
Date of Birth & Place 8 February 1922; Sale, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 17 August 1945; Dahanu, Maharashtra
Units No. 353 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 23

Joseph Patrick Shanahan was born on 8 February 1922, to Daniel Joseph and Elizabeth
Dora Shanahan of Orbost, Victoria.

On 17 August 1945, Warrant Officer Shanahan navigated a Dakota (FL603) transport

plane on a routine transport flight from Bombay (Mumbai) to Karachi (Karachi). After
half an hour airborne the Dakota’s port wing began to detach, which caused the loss of
the port engine. The aircraft crashed near the village of Dahanu.

All crew and passengers, including Warrant Officer Shanahan, were killed in the crash
and buried at the Kirkee War Cemetery.

76
A36. Warrant Officer Robert Hawkins Strachan

Front row: Eighth from left: Warrant

Officer Robert Hawkins

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 413040
Date of Birth & Place 15 July 1918; Lawson, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 16 January 1945; Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
Units No. 3 Squadron, No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit,
RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 26

Robert Hawkins Strachan was born on 15 July 1918 in Lawson, New South Wales. He
was son of Alexander Copeland and Grace Strachan of Lane Cove, New South Wales.

Warrant Officer Strachan was operating a Beau fighter TFX (NE650) aircraft on 16
January 1945, when he was killed in a flying accident. First reported as missing, his
body was later recovered from a lake near Ahmednagar and buried at the Kirkee War
Cemetery.

77
A37. Flight Sergeant Douglas Arthur Whitehurst

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 421779
Date of Birth & Place 7 August 1923; Ashfield, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 16 May 1944; Pune, Maharashtra
Units No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 20

Douglas Arthur Whitehurst was born on 7 August 1923 to Arthur Stephen and Agnes
Stella Whitehurst of Ashfield, New South Wales.

His father, Squadron Leader Arthur Whitehurst, was also an air force pilot and
commanded a squadron at RAF Great Ashfield from 1941 to 1946.

Flight Sergeant Whitehurst was posted to 3 Refresher Flying Unit in Poona (Pune),
when, during a flight, his Harvard IIB (FE718) hit a tree and crashed near Hinganaon,
Maharashtra. He and his navigator were both killed in the accident.

Flight Sergeant Whitehurst was originally buried in St. Sepulchres Cemetery, Poona,
but was later reinterred at the Kirkee War Cemetery, Maharashtra.

78
NZ13. Flying Officer Frederick Hornby Ever-Swindell

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 413906
Date of Birth & Place 24 February 1919; Lower Hutt, Wellington
Date of Death & Place 6 September 1943; Bombay (Mumbai),
Maharashtra
Units No. 20 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 24

Frederick Evers-Swindell was born in Lower Hutt, on 24 February 1919. He was the
son of Arthur and Octavia Evers-Swindell. Frederick attended New Plymouth Boy’s
High School before pursuing a career in Wellington as an insurance clerk with the
General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Company.

On 6 June 1941, Frederick joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and gained his
pilot’s brevet on 8 November 1941. He arrived in Britain in March 1942 to train as a
fighter pilot and subsequently embarked for India in May 1942. After arriving in
September, he posted to 20 Squadron and flew Hurricane fighter-bombers.

On 6 September 1943, Flying Officer Evers-Swindell’s Hurricane spun into a tidal

creek while performing a mock ground attack. He was killed upon impact and buried
near Bombay (Mumbai), but he was later reinterred at the Kirkee War Cemetery.

79
NZ14. Corporal Keith Charles Murray

Service New Zealand Military Forces (Army)

Service number 15023
Date of Birth & Place 31 December 1907; Christchurch, Canterbury
Date of Death & Place 21 March 1941; Deolali, Maharashtra
Units 20 Battalion, 2 NZ Expeditionary Force
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 33

Keith Charles Murray was born on 31 December 1907, to Arthur Howard Murray and
E.F.M. (Nellie) Murray of Christchurch, Canterbury.

Prior to enlistment, Keith served for five years with the School Cadets and two years
in the New Zealand Territorial Force.

After being promoted, Corporal Murray embarked in His Majesty’s Troopship 24

(HMT 24), on 1 February 1941, as a member of the 4th Reinforcements. He
disembarked at Bombay (Mumbai) and transferred to the Deolali Camp on 25
February 1941. He became ill and remained in Deolali while the rest of his unit sailed
from India, on 14 March 1941.

Corporal Murray died of meningitis in Deolali Hospital, Maharashtra, on 21 March

1941.

80
NZ15. Warrant Officer Harold Wilson Webster

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 428172
Date of Birth & Place 18 February 1922; Dunedin, Otago
Date of Death & Place 18 April 1945; Pune, Maharashtra
Units No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age: 23

Harold Webster was born in Dunedin on 18 February 1922, the son of Alexander and
Ethel Webster. After attending Whanganui Technical College, Harold became a clerk
at the Public Trust Office, Whanganui.

Harold joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as an aircraft hand on 11 July 1942,
but later that year he re-mustered as a pilot. He proceeded to England in August 1943
and trained as a Spitfire pilot. After arriving in India in December 1944, he was posted
to 3 Refresher Flying Unit in Poona (Pune).

On 18 April 1945, while Warrant Officer Webster was practicing aerobatics, an oil leak
caused him to make a forced landing. He landed the aircraft with only one wheel down,
and without control the aircraft hit a wall. He was fatally injured in the crash.

81
NZ16. Stoker 2nd Class Francis Norman Harold Taylor

Service New Zealand Division (Royal Navy)

Service number 2074
Date of Birth & Place 1921; Penrose, Auckland
Date of Death & Place 1 April 1941; Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra
Units HMS Leander
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kirkee War Cemetery

Age 20

Francis Norman Harold Taylor was born in 1921 to Francis Joseph and Mercy
Elizabeth Taylor (née Williams), of Penrose, Auckland.

Stoker 2nd Class Taylor was serving in HMS Leander, a cruiser, in the Indian Ocean
when he fell ill. His vessel berthed, and he was admitted to a hospital in Bombay
(Mumbai), where he died on 1 April 1941.

82
 KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY

Conflict Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 1,420
Australians Inscribed 3
New Zealanders Inscribed 0

The Kohima War Cemetery, designed by Colin St Claire Oakes, lies on the
battleground of Garrison Hill, a long-wooded spur on a high ridge. It contains 1,420
Commonwealth burials from the Second World War and one non-war burial.

At the cemetery’s highest point stands the Kohima Cremation Memorial

commemorating the 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers whose remains were cremated in
accordance with their faith. The cemetery also contains a memorial to the 2nd
Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment and several other regimental memorials which have
been erected near Garrison Hill. At the lower end of the cemetery, near the entrance, is
a memorial to the 2nd Division. It bears the inscription; "When you go home tell them
of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."

Kohima was the scene of the most bitter fighting of the Burma campaign, where allied
forces held out against repeated attacks by a Japanese Division. The Japanese advance
into India was halted at Kohima in April 1944 when they were driven off the ridge,
thus re-opening the road to Imphal.

The fiercest hand to hand fighting took place in the garden of the Deputy
Commissioner's bungalow, around the tennis court. No trace remains of the bungalow,
which was destroyed in the fighting. White concrete lines now mark the location of the
tennis court.

83
A38. Flying Officer Neville William Barton Brady DFC

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 4143720
Date of Birth & Place 8 June 1923; Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 11 June 1944; Karimganj (Silchar), Assam
Units No. 215 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kohima War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross

Age 21

Neville William Barton Brady was born on 8 June 1923, in Brisbane, Queensland to
Victor Neville Brady and Margarita Frances Penelope Horan. Neville received a
scholarship to the Brisbane Boys' College. Neville's father, Private Victor Brady,
served in the First World War with the 3rd and 4th Light Horse Brigades and the
Second World War with the Volunteer Defence Corps.

Neville completed his initial flying training under the Empire Air Training Scheme at
Bradfield Park New South Wales. He gained his brevet on 25 September 1942, with
the Royal Canadian Air Force at Brandon, Manitoba. He then posted to the United
Kingdom in November to complete his conversion training to larger aircraft.

Flying Officer Brady was piloting a Wellington Bomber on Easter Sunday 1943 when
his plane was severely shot-up over Rangoon (Yangon). He managed to crash land the
plane at Chittagong airfield, saving the lives of his crew.

On 28 May 1943, he was transferred to India, and on 5 December, was commissioned

for General Duties with 215 Squadron of the RAF Intelligence Branch.

On 11 June 1944, he was piloting a Dakota III FZ aircraft with three other crew,
transporting 24 Army reinforcements to Imphal. His aircraft exploded in mid-air,
whilst flying at low altitude, and wing roots fell off.
84
The crashed aircraft was found in the Karimganj (Silchar) area, in Assam. All on board
had died in the crash. They were buried in a common grave near the crash site and later
reinterred in the Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland.

On 8 March 1946, Flying Officer Brady was posthumously awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC), which was presented to his father by the Governor General of
Queensland.

Fellow Australian, Warrant Officer Henry James Deester, was also killed in the
accident.

85
A39. Warrant Officer Henry James Deester

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 414340
Date of Birth & Place 1 January 1916; Charters Towers, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 11 June 1944; Karinganj (Silchar), Assam
Units No. 62 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kohima War Cemetery

Age: 28

Henry James Deester was born on 1 January 1916, at Charters Towers, Queensland, to
Henry James and Edith Deester. Henry married Doris Lilian Deester of West
Rockhampton, Queensland.

On 11 June 1944, Warrant Officer Deester crewed a Dakota III FZ aircraft flying Army
reinforcements to Imphal. The aircraft exploded in mid-air, whilst flying at low
altitude, and its wing roots fell off.

The crashed aircraft was found in the Karinganj (Silchar) area, in Assam. All crew
members and 24 Army passengers on board were killed in the crash. They were buried
in a common grave near the crash site and later reinterred in the Kohima War Cemetery
in Nagaland.

Fellow Australian, Flying Officer Neville William Barton Brady, was also killed in the
accident.

86
A40. Warrant Officer Walter Douglas Pearce

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 413791
Date of Birth & Place 24 August 1919; Lewisham, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 19 June 1944; Kohima, Nagaland
Units No. 194 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Kohima War Cemetery

Age: 24

Walter Douglas Pearce was born in Lewisham, New South Wales, to Roland Henry
and Myra Lavina Pearce of Dulwich Hill, New South Wales.

Warrant Officer Pearce was a crew member of a Dakota FZ (600) flight from Agartala,
transporting supplies to the Kohima garrison. During bad weather, his aircraft crashed
into a cloud-covered hill.

Warrant Officer Pearce was originally buried at crash site and later reinterred at the
Kohima War Cemetery.

87
 MADRAS WAR CEMETERY

Conflict First and Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 856
Australians Inscribed 14
New Zealanders Inscribed 5

The Madras War Cemetery, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, was created to collocate war
graves from the many minor civil and cantonment cemeteries in the south and east of
India. The cemetery contains 856 Commonwealth burials from the Second World War.

The Madras 1914-1918 Memorial is situated at the rear of the cemetery. It bears the
names of more than 1,000 service members who died during the First World War,
whose remains lie in civil and cantonment cemeteries in various parts of India.

88
A41. Pilot Officer Victor Abel

Pilot Officer Victor Abel (right) and Flying Officer William Clarke Tufnell (left). Tufnell is
wearing pilot’s brevet and Abel a navigator’s brevet.

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 422089
Date of Birth & Place 31 December 1920; Tallinn, Estonia
Date of Death & Place 13 September 1944; Kolar, Karnataka
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 23

Victor Abel was born on 31 December 1920, in Tallinn, Estonia, to Fritz August
Alexander and Julie Abel of Neutral Bay, New South Wales.

On 13 September 1944, Pilot Officer Abel, serving with 82 Squadron, was returning
from a successful operation against the Japanese in Burma (Myanmar) in a Mosquito
(HP886) when his aircraft crashed at Kolar, Karnataka.

Fellow Australian, Flying Officer William Clarke Tufnell, was also killed in the crash.

89
A42. Flying Officer William Clarke Tufnell

Flying Officer William Clarke Tufnell (left) and Pilot Officer Victor Abel (right). Tufnell is
wearing pilot’s brevet and Abel a navigator’s brevet

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 415700
Date of Birth & Place 1 May 1922; Katanning, Western Australia
Date of Death & Place 13 September 1944; Kolar, Karnataka
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 22

William Clarke Tufnell was born on 1 May 1922 in Katanning, Western Australia, to
John Harold and Ellenor Mary Tufnell of Tenterden, Western Australia.

On 13 September 1944, Flying Officer Tufnell, serving with 82 Squadron, was

returning from a successful operation against the Japanese in Burma (Myanmar) in a
Mosquito (HP886) when his aircraft crashed at Kolar, Karnataka.

Fellow Australian, Pilot Officer Victor Abel, was also killed in the crash.

90
A43. Pilot Officer Paul John Blumer

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 402027
Date of Birth & Place 4 May 1920; Glebe Point, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 5 May 1944; Rasgovindpur, West Bengal
Units No. 355 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 21

Paul John Blumer was born on 4 May 1920, in Glebe Point, to Paul Wilfrid and Nancy
Lillian Blumer of Griffith, New South Wales.

Paul joined the Royal Australian Air Force and became a waist gunner with 355
Squadron.

On 4 May 1944, Pilot Officer Blumer was delivering an American Liberator 62, on
loan to the Advanced Flying Training Unit, to RAF Station Amarda Road
(Rasgovindpur), Bengal. The Liberator was landing when, about 80 feet from the
ground, it collided in mid-air with a Harvard aircraft, and crashed in flames.

The Harvard aircraft was only slightly damaged in the collision and neither of its pilots
were injured, however, the Liberator was destroyed. Two crew members were injured
and four were killed in the crash, including Pilot Officer Blumer.

91
A44. Flight Sergeant Robert Thomas Hewetson

No Image Available

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 413997
Date of Birth & Place 26 September 1922; Casino, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 7 February 1944; Cuttack, Orissa (Odisha)
Units No. 1572 Gunnery Flight, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 21

Robert Thomas Hewetson was born on 7 February 1944 in Casino, New South Wales,
to William James and Isabella Constance Hewetson of Newport Beach, New South
Wales.

On 7 February 1944, Flight Sergeant Hewetson was killed in a flying accident in a

Vengeance MK near Cuttack, Orissa (Odisha).

92
A45. Warrant Officer Keith Jack Knodler

The funeral for Warrant Officer Keith Knodler in

Bangalore, India.

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 420211
Date of Birth & Place 13 May 1923; Brisbane, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 14 August 1944; Bangalore, Karnataka
Units No. 30 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 21

Keith Jack Knodler was born on 13 May 1923, in Brisbane, Queensland, to Reginald
John and Rosalind Grace Knodler of Cammeray, New South Wales.

In August 1944, Warrant Officer Knodler’s squadron conducted conversion training

from Hurricane bombers to the new Thunderbolt (HB995) fighter-bombers. As an
experienced pilot, he was instructed to perform a test climb in the Thunderbolt - a
straight climb to 30,000 feet before cooling-off the engine, and then continuing up to
37,000 feet. The Thunderbolt failed during the ascent and crashed near Bidare,
Bangalore.

93
A46. Flying Officer John Denis McClure

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 402384
Date of Birth & Place 7 December 1919; Mosman, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 11 May 1944; Orissa (Odisha)
Units No. 70 Squadron, Air Firing Training Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 24

John Denis McClure was born on 7 December 1919, in Mosman, to Ernest Charles and
Helen Winifred McClure of Wahroonga, New South Wales.

John was a member of 70 Squadron Royal Air Force and attached to the Air Firing
Training Unit (AFTU) in India, where he topped his Fighter Training Course.

On 17 May 1944, Flying Officer McClure was flying Hawker Hurricane BE571
aircraft, when it hit trees during a forced landing at Amarda Road, airstrip. He was
killed in the crash.

He was originally buried in the RAF Cemetery at Amarda Road. His remains were later
transferred to Balasore New Cemetery, Orissa (Odisha), and finally reinterred in the
Madras War Cemetery.

Flying Officer McClure's older brother, Flying Officer Charles Miller McClure, was
also killed during the war on 4 May 1943, whilst serving with 69 Squadron.

94
A47. Flight Lieutenant Walter James McKerracher DFM

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 406099
Date of Birth & Place 5 November 1909; Mitcham, England
Date of Death & Place 13 May 1944; Orissa (Odisha)
Units No. 615 Squadron, 22 Armament Practice Camp,
No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Medal

Age: 34

Walter James McKerracher was born on 5 November 1909, in Mitcham, England, to

Walter and Alice Maud Gertrude McKerracher of Cottesloe, Western Australia. Before
he enlisted, he was an accountant at Cottesloe.

In late 1942 Flight Lieutenant McKerracher, as a member of 615 Squadron, was

awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for a successful attack against
Japanese shipping at Akyab (Sittwe), Burma (Myanmar). He was among the crew
killed when a de Havilland Mosquito HP939 broke up while recovering from roll. The
commander of 45 Squadron, Wing Commander Harley Charles Stumm DFC, was
flying the aircraft.

Flight Lieutenant McKerracher was buried at the Royal Air Force cemetery at Amarda
Road, Orissa (Odisha), and later reinterred at the Madras War Cemetery, Chennai.

95
A48. Flight Sergeant Forbes Porter

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 425353
Date of Birth & Place 5 January 1921; Warwick, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 23 November 1944; Kolar, Karnataka
Units No. 358 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 28

Forbes Porter was born on 5 January 1921, in Warwick, Queensland to John Malcolm
and Georgiena Elizabeth Porter.

Flight Sergeant (Skipper) Porter was crewed a Liberator (EV846) aircraft training with
the 6 Refresher Flying Unit. During a flight on 23 November 1944, his aircraft lost
altitude due to engine failure and crashed near Kolar, Karnataka. He was killed in the
crash.

Fellow Australian, Flight Sergeant John William White, also died in the crash along
with three other members of the crew. All were buried in the Madras War Cemetery.

96
A49. Flight Sergeant John William White

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 430197
Date of Birth & Place 29 November 1924; South Melbourne, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 23 November 1944; Kolar, Karnataka
Units No. 358 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 19

John William White was born on 29 November 1924, to John Joseph and Georgina
White of South Melbourne, Victoria.

Flight Sergeant White was a crew member of a Liberator (EV846) aircraft training with
the 6 Refresher Flying Unit. During a flight on 23 November 1944, his aircraft lost
altitude due to engine failure and crashed near Kolar, Karnataka. He was killed in the
crash.

Fellow Australian, Flight Sergeant Forbes (Skipper) Porter, also died in the crash along
with three other members of the crew. All were buried in the Madras War Cemetery.

97
A50. Squadron Leader Samuel George Proudfoot

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 403006
Date of Birth & Place 5 January 1915; Gunnedah, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 13 September 1943; Madras (Chennai), Tamil
Nadu
Units No. 11 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 28

Samuel George Proudfoot was born on 5 January 1915, in Gunnedah, to Hector

Thomas and Leah Rose Proudfoot of Scone, New South Wales.

Samuel was working as a school teacher at the outbreak of the Second World War and
enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 11 November 1940. He was given his
pilot’s brevet after training in New South Wales and Queensland.

Shortly after graduating from Air Training School, Samuel embarked for Kenya for
further training. He saw active service in Egypt as a pilot of Blenheim Bombers against
the Italian forces, and he later transferred to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Squadron Leader Proudfoot was killed in an aircraft accident on 13 September 1943,

while serving in India. He was buried at the Madras War Cemetery in Chennai, Tamil
Nadu.

Samuel’s brothers, Lance Corporal Bruce Proudfoot and Sapper Douglas Proudfoot,
served in the Army during the war. His sister, Rose Proudfoot, also served, in a military
hospital in New South Wales.

98
A51. Flying Officer Edward Loughry Reis

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400291
Date of Birth & Place 14 February 1918; Albury, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 27 October 1942; Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF, 1 Embarkation Depot
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 24

Edward Loughry Reis was born on 14 February 1918, in Albury, New South Wales to
George Christopher and Annie Regina Reis, also of Albury.

Flying Officer Reis was fourth in a formation of six Vultee Vengeance aircraft flying
from Begumpet Aerodrome bound for Madras (Chennai). His Vengeance (AN944)
gathered speed for take-off on the runway but drifted onto grass before becoming
airborne. Once airborne, he flew slowly towards an elevated floodlight, which he
struck, causing the aircraft to invert and crash to the ground, killing him. His gunner,
Sergeant Charles Marklew, was pulled from the wreckage, grievously injured, and died
a few minutes later.

Flying Officer Reis was originally buried in the Catholic Mornington Cemetery,
Trimulglerry, and later reinterred by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at
the Madras War Cemetery.

99
A52. Flying Officer Colin James Stower

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 404369
Date of Birth & Place 9 December 1913; Roma, Queensland
Date of Death & Place 21 November 1942; Bangalore, Karnataka
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 28

Colin James Stower was born on 9 December 1913, in Roma, Queensland, to James
and Rose Mary Ann Kathleen Stower of Wallumbilla, Queensland.

Flying Officer Stower was flying a Vultee Vengeance (AN942) when he conducted a
forced landing due to engine failure near Whitefield, Bangalore. The aircraft crash-
landed, and he and his observer, Flight Lieutenant Stephenson, were killed. Flying
Officer Stower was buried in the Madras War Cemetery.

100
A53. Flight Lieutenant James Thomson

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 425391
Date of Birth & Place 9 June 1916; Ba, Fiji
Date of Death & Place 1 April 1945; Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu
Units No. 27 Squadron, RAF, 231 GM ACSGA
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 28

James Thomson was born on 9 June 1916, in Ba, Fiji, to Reginald Francis and Amy
Attwood Thomson, of Artarmon, New South Wales.

Flight Lieutenant Thomson was killed in an aircraft accident at St. Thomas Mount,
Madras (Chennai), while attempting to land his Beaufighter (TFX NE710) in adverse
weather conditions. Flight Lieutenant Thomson was buried at the Madras War
Cemetery.

British Flight Lieutenant Dominick O’Brien, the flight navigator, was also killed in the
crash.

101
A54. Warrant Officer Berry Lemington Ulrick

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 413048
Date of Birth & Place 17 April 1922; Nyngan, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 5 June 1944; Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu
Units No. 146 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 22

Berry Lemington Ulrick was born on 17 April 1922, in Nyngan, New South Wales, to
Lemington Keatley and Vera Isabell Ulrick of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

Warrant Officer Ulrick was the pilot of a Hurricane (LB714) conducting a non-
operational flight from Yellahanka to Madras (Chennai) when his controls jammed and
the aircraft dived into the ground. Warrant Officer Ulrick was killed in the crash.

He was originally buried at Bangalore Hosur Cemetery and later reinterred at the
Madras War Cemetery.

102
NZ17. Pilot Officer Raymond Maurice Bullen DFC

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 425880
Date of Birth & Place 8 January 1918; Christchurch, Canterbury
Date of Death & Place 26 July 1945; Orissa (Odisha)
Units No. 358 Squadron, RAF, Tactical & Weapons
Development Unit
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery
Honours Distinguished Flying Cross

Age: 27

Raymond Bullen was born in Christchurch on 8 January 1918, to William Edward and
Flora McLean Bullen. He attended Christchurch Technical College before joining local
firm Paynter & Hamilton as a carpenter and joiner.

Raymond joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 30 May 1942, and initially
served with an Aerodrome Defence Unit in Nelson. He mustered as a pilot and after
initial training in New Zealand, embarked for Britain, in June 1943. He trained on
Wellington bombers and deployed to India in May 1944, where he completed
conversion training to Liberator aircraft. In August he joined the newly formed 358
Squadron. He completed twenty-nine operations, mostly dropping supplies in support
of covert anti-Japanese operations. In June 1945 he joined the Tactical & Weapons
Development Unit.

On 26 July 1945, Pilot Officer Bullen was flying as second pilot in a Liberator when
another aircraft from his formation emerged from a monsoon cloud. The two aircraft
collided, caught fire and crashed. Bullen was posthumously awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross (DFC) for his operational service on 1 October 1945.

103
NZ18. Lieutenant Terence Charles Robert Fenwick

Service Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

Service number N/A
Date of Birth & Place 26 April 1917; Gisborne, Poverty Bay
Date of Death & Place 19 September 1944; Kandani village, Tamil Nadu
Units No. 789 Squadron, No. 796 Squadron, No. 803
Squadron, No. 797 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 27

Terence Fenwick was born in Gisborne on 26 April 1917, to Charles and Iris Fenwick.
After attending New Plymouth Boy’s High School, he found employment as a clerk at
the Westfield Freezing Company in Otahuhu.

Terence enlisted with the Royal Navy in the Fleet Air Arm and left for Britain, arriving
in September 1940. After shore training, he trained as a pilot with the RAF in Britain
and Canada. He was commissioned and received his pilot’s brevet in October 1941
before returning to Britain, where he attended the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. In
February 1942 he deployed to South Africa, serving at Wingfield with 789 and 796
Squadrons and later 803 Squadron. After a brief period of leave in New Zealand, he
embarked for Ceylon, joining 797 Squadron in February 1944.

On 19 September 1944, the Martinet target tug aircraft Lieutenant Fenwick was flying,
shed a wing mid-flight, and crashed. The wreckage was found at Kandani, three days
later. Lieutenant Fenwick was killed in the accident and buried at Madura, and later
reinterred at the Madras War Cemetery.

104
NZ19. Flight Sergeant Ronald Hargreaves

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 41901
Date of Birth & Place 18 May 1921; Glossop, Derbyshire, United
Kingdom
Date of Death & Place 21 September 1942; Cuttack, Odisha
Units No. 353 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 21

Ronald Hargreaves was born in England on 18 May 1921, to Thomas and Lily
Hargreaves. Ronald’s family migrated to New Zealand where he attended Christchurch
Technical College. After graduation he was employed with New Zealand Railways.

Ronald joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in February 1941 as a trainee pilot
and received his flying brevet on 15 June. In September he travelled to Britain for
training on Blenheim bombers. In October 1941 he survived a crash-landing, and in
February 1942 he was uninjured in a forced bale out after becoming lost in bad weather.

In May 1942 Flight Sergeant Hargreaves was posted to 10 Aircraft Delivery Unit and
flew a Hudson aircraft to India via the Middle East. He was posted to 353 Squadron
and had a further crash on take-off in August 1942, but he was again uninjured.

On 21 September 1942, during a cross-country flight from Asansol to Cuttack, Flight

Sergeant Hargreaves’s Hudson aircraft collided with an approaching Hurricane. All the
Hudson crew perished, but the Hurricane pilot survived. He and his crew were buried
at Cuttack and later reinterred at the Madras War Cemetery.

105
NZ20. Flying Officer Ernest Owen Walter McConnel

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 428820
Date of Birth & Place 25 August 1918; Ngaruawahia, Waikato
Date of Death & Place 13/14 August 1944; Kolar, Karnataka
Units No. 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 25

Ernest McConnel was born at Ngaruawahia on 25 August 1918, to Ernest and Rachel
McConnel. After attending Hamilton Technical College, he established his own
business as a farmer and mechanic, and he served with the 4 (Waikato) Mounted Rifles.
During this period Ernest married Margery McConnel.

Ernest joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 27 July 1942, as an airman pilot
and received his pilot’s brevet on 13 February 1943. After bomber training in England,
he was posted to India, arriving on 1 June 1944 for conversion to Liberators at 1673
Heavy Conversion Unit in Kolar.

On the night of 13-14 August 1944, Flying Officer McConnel was flying a Liberator,
piloted by an instructor, when immediately after take-off, it lost height and crashed into
a tree. All six on board the aircraft were killed. Initially buried in the American Mission
Station cemetery at Kolar, they were later reinterred at the Madras War Cemetery.

106
NZ21. Flying Officer Claude Cyril McCormack

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 421282
Date of Birth & Place 22 January 1922; Hamilton, Waikato
Date of Death & Place 7 May 1944; Cuttack, Odisha
Units No. 354 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Madras War Cemetery

Age: 22

Claude McCormack was born in Hamilton on 22 January 1922, to Reginald and Olive
McCormack. After attending Te Kuiti District High School, Claude worked as a men’s
outfitter at H. Connell in Te Kuiti.

Claude joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 25 February 1942. In April, he
embarked for Canada to train as a wireless operator/air gunner and received his air
gunner’s brevet the following February, then posted to the Bahamas for further
training. In June 1943, he returned to Canada to crew a Liberator flying to India, via
Newfoundland, Britain, Gibraltar and the Middle East. He was then posted to 354
Squadron at Cuttack on 21 September, where he participated in twenty operations.

On 7 May 1944, Flying Officer McCormack’s aircraft was on patrol when it signalled
the need for an early return. Ninety minutes later, the aircraft was spotted circling over
Shortt’s Island Lighthouse, with bursts of fire from its waist guns. It then dived towards
the sea and exploded, killing all on board.

Flying Officer McCormack’s body was recovered, washed up near the lighthouse. He
was buried at Cuttack and later reinterred at the Madras War Cemetery.

107
 RANCHI WAR CEMETERY

Conflict Second World War

Commonwealth Casualties Inscribed 704
Australians Inscribed 11
New Zealanders Inscribed 5

On 1 June 1942, Commonwealth forces established the Ranchi War Cemetery in the
state of Jharkhand. 704 Second World War Commonwealth service members are
buried or commemorated in the cemetery, including more than 200 graves from twelve
isolated and smaller inaccessible civil cemeteries that were reinterred in Ranchi in
1952.

After the fall of Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar), in March 1942 there was a high
probability that the Japanese would capture the whole country. This constituted a grave
threat to India of a Japanese invasion. In March and April 1942, 100,000 tons of
Commonwealth shipping were sunk in the Bay of Bengal. There were only seven non-
coastal divisions aside from those deployed on the frontier, and those lacked ancillary
troops and equipment. The threat from the Japanese was augmented by domestic unrest
in India, especially nearby Bihar.

Ranchi became an important air base to challenge sea-borne attacks against

Commonwealth ships in the Bay of Bengal and as a strategic reserve to support the
forces in Assam and Bengal. The 70th Division, less one brigade in Ceylon (Sri Lanka),
was posted to Ranchi.

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A55. Flight Sergeant James John Bishop

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 419406
Date of Birth & Place 13 October 1922; Norton Summit, South Australia
Date of Death & Place 12 September 1944; Digri, West Bengal
Units No. 159 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 21

James John Bishop was born on 13 October 1922, in Norton Summit, to Sydney Wells
and Irvina Gladys Bishop of Ashton, South Australia.

On 12 September 1944, Flight Sergeant Bishop as the Air Gunner on a Liberator (EV
845) on an operational flight from 0600 hours. The aircraft crashed into the adjoining
Digri airfield at 0620 hours.

All crew members including fellow Australian Warrant Officer Reginald August
Peterson Crowley, the pilot of the aircraft, were killed in the crash.

109
A56. Warrant Officer Reginald August Peterson Crowley

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 409896
Date of Birth & Place 4 April 1913; Warrnambool, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 12 September 1944; Digri, West Bengal
Units No. 159 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 31

Reginald August Peterson Crowley was born on 4 April 1913, in Warrnambool,

Victoria, to John and Ellen Mary Crowley of East Malvern, Victoria. He was married
to Veronica Lillian Crowley.

On 12 September 1944, Warrant Officer Crowley piloted a Liberator (EV 845) on an

operational flight from 0600 hours. The aircraft crashed into the adjoining Digri airfield
at 0620 hours.

All crew members including fellow Australian Flight Sergeant James John Bishop, the
Air Gunner on the flight, were killed in the crash.

110
A57. Pilot Officer John Beebar

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 403252
Date of Birth & Place 27 August 1921; Paddington, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 4 August 1944; Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 353 Squadron, RAF, BPO Bombay
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 22

John Beebar was born on 27 August 1921, in Paddington, New South Wales. He was
the son of John A. Beebar and Barbara Beebar of Kingsford, New South Wales.

On 4 August 1944, Pilot Officer John Beebar was the Wireless Air Gunner in a Dakota
(FZ587) when it encountered difficulty during a heavy storm. The aircraft dived into
the ground killing all on board.

Fellow Australians Flying Officer David Crawford Forman AFC, the pilot of the
aircraft, and Warrant Officer Frederick Walter Handley, the navigator bomb aimer,
were also killed in the crash.

111
A59. Flying Officer David Crawford Forman AFC

Far left

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 400366
Date of Birth & Place 2 December 1920; East Malvern, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 4 August 1944; Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 353 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery
Honours Air Force Cross

Age: 23

David Crawford Forman was born on 2 December 1920, in East Malvern, to George
and Florence May Forman of Glen Iris, Victoria.

On 4 August 1944, Flying Officer Forman was piloting a Dakota (FZ587) when it
encountered difficulty during a heavy storm. The aircraft dived into the ground killing
all on board.

Fellow Australians Pilot Officer John Beebar, the wireless air gunner, and Warrant
Officer Frederick Walter Handley, the navigator bomb aimer, were also killed in the
crash.

Flying Officer Forman was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC).

112
A59. Warrant Officer Frederic Walter Handley

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 401375
Date of Birth & Place 21 June 1914; Melbourne, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 4 August 1944; Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh
Units No. 353 Squadron, RAF, 222 Group
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 30

Frederic Walter Handley was born on 21 June 1914, in Melbourne to Walter and Amy
Beatrice Handley of East Malvern, Victoria.

On 4 August 1944, Warrant Officer Handley was the navigator bomb aimer on a
Dakota (FZ587) when it encountered difficulty during a heavy storm. The aircraft
dived into the ground killing all on board.

Fellow Australians Flying Officer David Crawford Forman AFC, the pilot, and Pilot
Officer John Beebar, the wireless air gunner, were also killed in the crash.

113
A60. Flying Officer Allan Henry Haley

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 402054
Date of Birth & Place 2 March 1917; Randwick, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 1 January 1943; Manwa, Bihar
Units No. 155 Squadron, RAF, ARC Karachi
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 25

Allan Henry Haley was born on 2 March 1917, in Randwick, New South Wales. He
was son of British Thomas Adolphus and Nance Haley of Coogee, New South Wales.

On 1 January 1943, Flying Officer Haley, flying a Mohawk (BK 584) aircraft in
formation, conducted four attack runs against enemy ships in rivers in Burma
(Myanmar). After the mission, the lead aircraft accompanied by Flying Officer Haley’s
aircraft, broke away and flew towards Manwa. After attacking several small boats
along the river, the pilot of the leading aircraft lost sight of Haley’s aircraft.

Flying Officer Haley was last seen flying near Manwa and was classified as missing,
presumed to have been killed in a flying battle.

After 18 months, a search party found his body in a local grave. His remains were later
reinterred at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

114
A61. Flight Lieutenant Felix Andrew McCormick

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 420481
Date of Birth & Place 20 January 1920; Willoughby, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 28 October 1944; Salbani, West Bengal
Units No. 356 Squadron, RAF, 15 Operational Training Unit
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 24

Felix Andrew McCormick was born on 20 January 1920, in Willoughby, New South
Wales, to Patrick Joseph and Mary Ellen McCormick, also of Willoughby.

On 20 January 1920, Flight Lieutenant McCormick was piloting a Liberator aircraft on

a mission to bomb the Hnong Pladuk railway in Siam (Thailand). During take-off from
Salbani Aerodrome, the aircraft was observed venting an unusual amount of smoke
from the port wing. McCormick conducted a flat turn to return to base and jettisoned
his bombs. He was in the act of retracting the aircraft’sundercarriage when the engine
of the inner wing stalled violently. The aircraft crashed killing all eight crew on board.

The crew members were buried at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

115
A62. Sergeant John Drummond May

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 402573
Date of Birth & Place 8 January 1911; Mount Druitt, New South Wales
Date of Death & Place 5 January 1943; Digri, West Bengal
Units No. 99 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 31

John Drummond May was born on 8 January 1911, in Mount Druitt, New South Wales,
to Robert Williams and Ellen Elizabeth May of Strathfield, New South Wales.

On 5 January 1943, Sergeant May was navigating a Wellington (HD 977) aircraft
returning to Digri after successfully completing a mission. During the landing, a bomb
was inadvertently released from the aircraft. It struck the ground, bounced nine feet in
the air and exploded under the centre section of the aircraft.

The Wellington aircraft landed but Sergeant May and the other two crew members
were trapped in the burning aircraft. They escaped but died subsequently from their
injuries in a military hospital in Calcutta (Kolkata).

116
A63. Pilot Officer Philip Harold Morphett

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 407522
Date of Birth & Place 3 July 1921; Adelaide, South Australia
Date of Death & Place 5 August 1943; Digri, West Bengal
Units No. 11 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 22

Philip Harold Morphett was born on 3 July 1921 in Adelaide, South Australia, to
Norman Harold and Anna Elizabeth May Morphett of Fullarton, South Australia.

On 5 August 1945, Pilot Officer Morphett was flying his Blenheim (Z7977) aircraft on
a routine flight to Nagpur, after successfully completing several missions in the
forward area. The flight encountered heavy rain and low cloud before it dived suddenly
towards the ground at high speed, exploding on impact. All on board were killed in the
crash.

Pilot Officer Morphett was buried with his crewmates in a field grave near the crash
site beside the village of Kandrujana, ten kilometres south of Barabhum, Bengal. The
crew were subsequently reinterred at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

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A64. Flying Officer Paul Walter Wallace Richardson

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 401051
Date of Birth & Place 4 April 1918; Bristol, England
Date of Death & Place 24 August 1944; Khamasan, Burma (Myanmar)
Units No. 194 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 26

Paul Walter Wallace Richardson was born on 4 April 1918, in Bristol, England to
Reverend Walter Wallace and Sarah Jane Richardson of Ballarat, Victoria.

Flying Officer Richardson and his crew were engaged in operations in Burma
(Myanmar), air dropping supplies and maps to Army forces from a Douglas Dakota III
(FZ644).

On 24 August 1944, his aircraft took off at 1600 hours and immediately encountered
monsoonal weather. The crew persevered but when the aircraft arrived over the
designated drop zone, they found it covered by thick low-lying cloud. The crew stayed
on site until 1900 hours, when conditions allowed them to drop the supplies and maps.

Flying Officer Richardson was returning from the mission over difficult mountainous
terrain in darkness and dense cloud, when his aircraft crashed into a hillside near
Khamasan, Burma. All on board were killed in the crash.

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 A65. Warrant Officer Harold Elsdon Thorpe

Service Royal Australian Air Force

Service number 402419
Date of Birth & Place 27 January 1919; Elwood, Victoria
Date of Death & Place 21 April 1943; Ranchi, Jharkhand
Units No. 110 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 24

Harold Elsdon Thorpe was born on 27 January 1919 in Elwood, Victoria, to Frank
Gordon and Elsie Rebecca Thorpe. His father, Frank, was Chairman of the Public
Service Board of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

Harold was educated at Camberwell Grammar School and Telopea Park where he
completed his intermediate certificate in 1933. He was also a scout in the 3rd Canberra
St. John's Troop. Harold commenced a career in the Department of Trade and Customs
in March 1936 and was studying economics part-time at the Canberra University
College when he enlisted with the RAAF, in August 1940.

Harold trained at Bradfield Park and Mascot before qualifying as a pilot at Wagga
Wagga. He embarked for England from Sydney, sailing from 8 April to 1 August 1941.
He served in several bomber squadrons in England and India before posting to 110
Squadron on 24 November 1941. After the squadron moved from RAF Station
Aylshaw to Ranchi in March 1942, it converted to Vultee Vengeance aircraft.

On 21 April 1943, Warrant Officer Thorpe was flying into formation when his aircraft
collided with another plane from his squadron. He was killed in the crash.

119
NZ22. Flying Officer Allan Edward Parker

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 405316
Date of Birth & Place 28 March 1921; Motueka, Nelson
Date of Death & Place 20 October 1944; Ranchi, Jharkhand
Units No. 82 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 23

Allan Parker was born in Motueka on 28 March 1921, to Allan and Ethel Parker. After
attending Motueka District High School, Allan was employed as a cadet with the Post
and Telegraph Department at Hanmer Springs. He also spent two years with the New
Zealand Army Territorials.

Allan joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot under training on 22 December
1940 and received his pilot’s brevet on 5 May 1941. He proceeded to Britain in July
and after further training, was posted to 82 Squadron in September to fly Blenheim
bombers. The squadron moved to India in December 1941. Flying Officer Parker
completed 120 operations in Vultee Vengeance and Mosquito aircraft.

On 20 October 1944, Flying Officer Parker took off from Ranchi to conduct bombing
practice. During a shallow dive his starboard wing broke off and the aircraft crashed.

120
NZ23. Flight Lieutenant John Harper Reeves

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 415360
Date of Birth & Place 24 February 1920; Hororata, Canterbury
Date of Death & Place 11 September 1944; Ranchi, Jharkhand
Units No. 45 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 24

John Reeves was born at Hororata on 24 February 1920, to Hugh Maud and Emily
Reeves of Sumner, Christchurch. John attended Christ’s College in Christchurch,
Canterbury University and Lincoln Agricultural College. He was nominated for a
Rhodes scholarship and was a talented sportsman.

John joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 30 September 1941 and completed
basic flying training. He proceeded to Canada in January 1942 and, upon completion
of his training as a pilot, embarked for Britain in October 1943. He undertook Mosquito
aircraft conversion training until 6 February 1944, when he flew a Mosquito to India
via Gibraltar and North Africa. On 9 March 1944, he arrived in India to join 45
Squadron at Ranchi.

On 19 August 1944, Flight Lieutenant Reeves was practising air to ground firing when
he lost control of his aircraft during a steep climbing turn at low level, possibly due to
a structural failure of the airframe. Flight Lieutenant Reeves was killed in the crash.

121
NZ24. Warrant Officer John Francis Simmons

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 404100
Date of Birth & Place 10 May 1916; Dunedin, Otago
Date of Death & Place 12 August 1943; Salbani, West Bengal
Units No. 159 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 27

John Simmons was born on 10 May 1916, in Dunedin, to Alfred and Agnes Simmons.
Following his education at Dunedin Technical College, John found employment as a
Bridgeman with New Zealand Railways in his home city.

On the 27 October 1940, John enlisted as an air gunner under training in the Royal
New Zealand Air Force and embarked for Canada in December 1940. He re-mustered
as a wireless operator/air gunner, before heading for Britain in July 1941. Following
further training, he was involved in ferrying a Wellington aircraft to Egypt via Gibraltar
in May 1942, before returning to Britain.

In August 1942, he completed Liberator aircraft conversion training and the following
March ferried a Liberator to India via the Middle East. He was posted to 159 Squadron
at Salbani, West Bengal on 27 July 1943.

During his fourth operation, on 12 August 1943, Warrant Officer Simmons’ Liberator
experienced engine failure after take-off and attempted to land back at base. His aircraft
failed to climb away, overshot the runway and crashed into a paddy field. Warrant
Officer Simmons and the rest of the crew, save for one survivor, were killed in the
crash and buried at Midnapore, and later reinterred at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

122
NZ25. Warrant Officer Alexander George Sutherland

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 412762
Date of Birth & Place 15 December 1917; Te Kuiti, Waikato
Date of Death & Place 3 November 1943; Nawadwip, West Bengal
Units No. 326 Maintenance Unit, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 25

Alexander Sutherland was born in Te Kuiti on 15 December 1917, to Alexander John

and Alberta Gorton Sutherland. After attending Te Kuiti District High School and
Massey Agricultural College, he worked for his father on the family’s sheep farm at
Rangitoto. He also served for eighteen months with the Territorial Army.

Alexander joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on 4 May 1941. In November,
after he completed his pilot’s training in New Zealand, he embarked for Britain. From
June to August 1942 he served with the RAF Aircraft Delivery Unit on the Gold Coast
in West Africa, until he joined 1 Middle East Training School in Egypt. After a period
as a ferry pilot in Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, he joined 326 Maintenance
Unit in Asansol, West Bengal, in May 1943.

On 3 November 1943, during a transfer flight, Warrant Officer Sutherland’s Beau

fighter aircraft suffered engine failure and was forced to belly-land. The aircraft flipped
over during the landing and burst into flames. Though he and his navigator escaped the
wreckage, they were badly burned. Locals took Warrant Officer Sutherland to
Nabadwip Hospital, where he succumbed that afternoon. Initially buried at Krishnagar,
he was reinterred at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

123
NZ26. Pilot Officer David Weston Wacher

Service Royal New Zealand Air Force

Service number 405347
Place & Date of Birth 26 April 1920; Christchurch, Canterbury
Death Date & Place 20 September 1943; Ranchi, Jharkhand
Units No. 84 Squadron, RAF
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Memorial Ranchi War Cemetery

Age: 23

David Wacher was born in Christchurch on 26 April 1920, to Bertram Charles and
Emily Sarah Wacher. He was educated at Napier, Otago and Christchurch Boy’s High
Schools, which he represented in rugby. He was later employed as a brewer for
Dunedin Brewery Company.

David learned to fly prior to the war and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on
22 December 1940, before he embarked for Britain in July 1941. After training on
Blenheim bombers, he joined 84 Squadron then travelled with the unit to the Dutch
East Indies in January 1942. Shortly after he arrived, he evacuated to India with the
unit. He returned to England in April 1942 then ferried a Blenheim back to India. Over
the same period, 84 Squadron converted to Vultee Vengeance aircraft.

On 20 September 1943, Pilot Officer Wacher was conducting dive-bombing practice

when his Vultee Vengeance crashed. He and his observer were killed in the crash and
buried at the Ranchi War Cemetery.

124
 COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has constructed approximately 2,500

war cemeteries to commemorate 1,686,455 war dead in 139 different countries.

62,342 Commonwealth casualties are commemorated in India, of which 9,358 have

graves in known locations. The remaining 52,984 are commemorated on memorials
only, either because their bodies have been cremated or their resting place is unknown.
Anzacs are buried at nine Commonwealth War Cemeteries in India: Delhi, Deolali,
Kirkee, Madras, Calcutta, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kohima and Imphal.

125
 NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL

The National War Memorial of India was opened in 2019 to honour the Indian Armed
Forces. It is located on the eastern side of India Gate in New Delhi. The memorial walls
are inscribed with the names of Indian Armed Forces personnel killed during post-
partition conflicts including the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Annexation of Goa
(1961), Sino-Indian War (1962), Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of
1971 (Bangladesh Liberation War), Siachen Conflict (1987), Sri Lanka Civil War
(1987-88), Kargil War (1999), and other military actions such as Operation Rakshak.

The Memorial comprises a central obelisk, an 'eternal flame' representing the Amar
Jawan (immortal soldier) and four concentric circles designed in a Chakravyuh - an
ancient Indian war formation:
• Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality)
• Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery)
• Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice)
• Rakshak Chakra (Circle of Protection)

The Veerta Chakra is a covered gallery with bronze murals depicting the key battles
of Gangasagar, Longewala, Tithwal, Rizangla, Operation Meghdoot and Operation
Trident.

Separately, the Param Yodha Sthal garden walk, houses the busts of the 21 recipients
of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest military honour.

126
 They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

127