OFFORD, Ronald Elliss
| Service Numbers: | A52902, 52902 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 January 1953, Point Cook |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 78 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Subiaco, WA, 27 January 1935 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Perth Boys High School 1948-1950, Perth Modern School 1951-1952 |
| Occupation: | Student |
| Died: | Aircraft Accident Birdstrike on takeoff from Butterworth in Sabre A94-958. , Butterworth, Malaya, 11 September 1962, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Penang (Western Road) Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Subiaco Perth Modern School Post WW2 Conflicts Honour Board, Western Australian Garden of Remembrance |
Malaysia / Indonesia Confrontation Service
| 28 Jan 1953: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, A52902, Point Cook | |
|---|---|---|
| Date unknown: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 52902, No. 78 Squadron (RAAF) |
Help us honour Ronald Elliss Offord's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Edward Ellis & Sarah Elizabeth OFFORD, 28 Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale, Perth, WA
Husband of Helen Ann OFFORD, 6 Jesselton Avenue, Penang
Ron enjoyed Photography, Areomedlling, Swimming, Tennis Badmington and Shooting. He was a member of the Perth Boy's High School Rifle Team, as was in the Soccer Team. He also played with the Perth Modern School Club Soccer Team.
Died when aircraft crashed after Birdstrike on takeoff from Butterworth in Sabre A94-958. Ejected, chute did not fully deploy in time, killed on impact with ground.
Immediately after takeoff for Singapore-Changi on the afternoon of 11th September 1962, Ron's 3SQN Sabre Mk32 (A94-958) received multiple bird strikes . He ejected at very low level (not within the design capabilities of his seat, RAAF Ejection #20), meaning that his parachute did not have time to deploy and was killed on impact. Ron was married with two young children and had been living with his family on Penang Island. According to 3SQN operational records, the purpose of this flight was to position the aircraft in Singapore for a public "static display" for Air Force Week. Ron was buried on Penang Island, in the Western Road CWGC Cemetery.
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