FREES, John Robert
| Service Numbers: | Q137643, 429404 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 April 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 186 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 8 May 1918 |
| Home Town: | Monto, North Burnett, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | School Teacher |
| Died: | AIrcraft shot down by night fighter on raid to Stuttgart Germany, Luneville , NW France, Germany, 20 October 1944, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
Choloy War Cemetery, France Grave 2.B.4 , |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Shire of Monto War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 9 Apr 1942: | Involvement Private, Q137643, to RAAF 429404 (15/9/1942-d/d 20/10/1944) | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q137643, General Details Depot | |
| 8 Sep 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q137643, General Details Depot | |
| 15 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 429404, Aircrew Training Units | |
| 15 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 429404 | |
| 20 Oct 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 429404, No. 186 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Killed with all of the crew of Lancaster NG 176 on a raid to Stuttgart Squadron Code 'AP H' near Luneville in NE France |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
John Robert FREES (1918-1944)
Son of William Robert and Charlotte Evelyn FREES of Monto Queensland.
Husband of Monica Amelia Sophia FREES of Redcliffe Brisbane
The Bomb Aimer of Lancaster NG 176 code AP-H of No 186 Squadron assigned to a raid on Stuttgart 19/20 October 1944.
Taking off from RAF Tuddenham Suffolk it was part of a second wave of aircraft.
The aircraft was claimed by Lt Clemens Ostroitzki of 1/NJG6, fluinga Messerchmitt Bf110G night fighter, south west of Stuttagrt at approximately 20:50. 3rd victory for Ostrowki but he was killed when he waas shot down on 23/24 December 1944, although his two cew members survived.
The Lancaster is believed to have crashed south of Luneville. Six Lancasters were lost on the raid; 37 killed, 7 PoW and 7 injured in a crasj landing of a seventh Lancaster on return to its base.
All seven crew of the Lancaster were killed. They are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery in NE France.
Biography contributed by Robert Kearney
Enlisted and served in the Army as FRIIS, JOHN ROBERT (Note his father's thrid name below)
Detail Source Ancestry Birth registration details
Name: John robert Frees
Birth Date: 8 May 1918
Birth Place: Queensland
Registration Year: 1918
Registration Place: Queensland, Australia
Father: William robert friis Frees
Mother: Charlotte evelyn may Roberts
Registration Number: B051880
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