Pilot F/Sgt Henry Harrington Gaunt, 406899 (MIA / KIA)
Navigator P/O Trevor John Jones, 425671 (KIA)
Crashed November 21, 1943
Mission History
One of six Beaufighters from 31 Squadron to depart Coomalie Airfield at 07:30, tasked with attacking Taberfane in co-operation with 6 Mitchells from 18 (NEI) Squadron.
The aircraft formed up in groups of three and upon reaching the target,
were intercepted by three Rufes - two of which were claimed as being shot down. A19-145 was not seen to suffer any damage due to enemy action.
On the return flight, all aircraft stopped to refuel at Millingimbi Airfield before departing individually (at short intervals) for the flight back to Coomalie. When A19-140 landed at Coomalie Airfield it was learnt that A19-145, which had taken off immediately before it, had not arrived and "overdue procedure" was immediately put into place.
Search
A four day air search, in which 31 Squadron took part, returned negative
results and both crew members were reported "Missing on 21 Nov 1943 as a result of a travel flight between Millingimbi and Coomalie".
Wreckage
The aircraft was later located approximately 10 miles from Junction Bay,
and the remains of P/O Jones were recovered.
Memorials
P/O Jones is now buried at the Adelaide River War Cemetery (Grave C.A.9) while F/Sgt Gaunt is listed on the Northern Territory Memorial as having "No Known Grave".
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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