471225 - Unaccounted Airmen - 25-12-1947

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

471225 - Unaccounted Airmen - 25-12-1947

From Henk's List -

SRI LANKA
ANSETT, Frank Gilbert - AC1c - 3078804 - RAFVR.
MELLOWS, Colin Derek Rex - Cpl - 2285943 - RAFVR.
Both the above Airmen rest in Colombo (Liveramentu ) Cemetery, Sri Lanka.

UK
WILLIAMS, Walter Travis Swire - Sqdn/Ldr - 74396 - RAFVR - DFC.
Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire.

From CWGC -

AUSTRALIA
DEAN,Albert Frederick - Wng/Cdr - 1327 - RAAF - MM.
Williamstown General Cemetery, Victoria, Australia.

Alex

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

AUSTRALIA.

1327 (594) A/W/C Albert Frederick DEAN MM RAAF.

1327 (594) A/W/C Albert Frederick DEAN MM, of HQ, Southern Area, passed away in the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, of a Coronary Occlusion on Christmas Day, 1947. A/W/C Albert Frederick Dean MM, was one of the early members of the original RAAF (hence the No.594). He had won his Military Medal in the Great War - https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=76232

Col.

[dennis_burke]

Alex, you have it nearly done, six more days and you will have run through the unaccounted airmen

Your raised the idea of continuing in July 2013, a year after Henk's passing, and starting at Mid September 1943 i think, you carried on through over four years of names. Six years of effort, I don't think you have gotten the credit due to you for that.

The overall figures for those last six days of 1947 are interesting
Served with
United Kingdom (103)
Indian (35)
South African (10)
Canadian (8)
Australian (6)
German (4)
Polish (3)
New Zealand (1)
Served in
Army (126)
Air Force (14)
Navy (13)
Miscellaneous (10)
Merchant Navy (4)
Civilian War Dead 1939-1945 (3)

[wwrsimon]

Hello

Firstly let me echo Dennis' post - oustanding stuff Alex.

SRI LANKA
ANSETT, Frank Gilbert - AC1c - 3078804 - Katukurunda.

MELLOWS, Colin Derek Rex - Cpl - 2285943 - the North Devon Journal of January 1st 198 reported that his family received notification that he had been killed in a traffic accident. He was a P.T. Instructor stationed in Ceylon. Could Ansett be connected?

UK
WILLIAMS, Walter Travis Swire - Sqdn/Ldr - 74396 - the National Probate Calendar recrods that he died at The R.A.F. Hospital, Isle of Ely. It records him as having a D.S.C., rather than a D.F.C.
The Western Mail of January 1st 1948 reported that he died after an operation. The article records that he was responsible for the formation of the R.A.F. Film Production Unit, and well known for his production of films such as 'Target for Tonight' and 'Coastal Command.' He was awarded the D.S.C. at Gallipoli in 1917.

Regards

Simon

[Alex Smart]

Hello Dennis & Simon,
Thanks for the kind words, but without the help of fellow members such as yourselves and Col, I would have found great difficulty at times to complete some entries. Thank you all.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Re: Walter Travis Swire WILLIAMS DSC.

https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archiv...lot.uid=309954

I believe Williams held Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 1749. Could someone check that on Ancestry?

ATTENTION: Hugh Halliday. Incidental information in the above reference to Canadian, Flight Sub-Lieutenant J. R. S. DEVLIN, D.S.C., R.N.A.S.

Col.

[CZ_RAF]

Thank you Alex, well done! I am glad I am able to help time to time with some bits and pieces in the huge project.

Pavel

[wwrsimon]

Col

Ancestry.co.uk has a copy of Walter Travis Swire WILLIAMS' R.A.C. Certificate. Details as follows:

Certificate No. 1749
Address: 9, Holywell Street, St. Albans, Herts.
Born: May 31st 1897 at Portmadoc, N. Wales
Rank or profession: Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N.A.S.
Certificate taken on: Caudron Biplane
At: Royal Naval Flying School, Eastchurch
Date: 7th September, 1915.

Regards

Simon

[COL BRUGGY]

Simon,

Thanks for that.

Col.

[paulmcmillan]

Alex

Yes many many thanks for your efforts over the last 6 years and continuing Henks work

All we need to do now is go back and fill the gaps, and do 1919-1939 and post 1947 :-)


Paul