Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  Bristol Mark VIc Beaufighter Serial Number A19-118  
RAAF
No. 31 Squadron

Pilot  F/O Barrie William Gillespie, 406842 (MIA / KIA) Beverley, WA
Navigator  F/O Alexander John Cameron, 1424 (MIA / KIA) Red Hill, QLD
Crashed  July 24, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Bristol. RAF serial number JL826. Shipped overseas to Australia arriving in April 1943.

Wartime History
Delivered to the RAAF as Beaufighter Mark VIc serial number A19-118. On April 17, 1943 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) and reassembled. On May 24, 1943 assigned to No. 31 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On July 24, 1943 took off from Darwin piloted by F/O Barrie William Gillespie with navigator F/O Alexander John Cameron for an attack on Taberfane Seaplane Base. This aircraft was last seen over the target area during the attack but was later found to be missing. Several of the other aircraft were also damaged by anti-aircraft fire.

Search
In 1946, RAAF Searcher Team led by F/Lt O'Shea reported:
"Native states that in Aug or Sept 43 Australian aircraft crashed in dense jungle SE of Taberfane - Japs searched for wreckage but could not find it. Possibly Beaufighter A19-60 or Beaufighter A19-118 - No definate news obtained for either of these aircraft."

Memorials
The crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are listed on the Ambon Memorial as having "No Known Grave" on column 8.

References
ADF Serials - Beaufighter A19-118

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
July 23, 2022

Tech Info
Beaufighter

MIA
MIA
2 Missing
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram