GOODFELLOW, John Nicol
| Service Number: | 407894 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 February 1941, Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Manly, New South Wales, Australia, 6 January 1921 |
| Home Town: | Port Pirie, Port Pirie City and Dists, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Solomontown Primary School St. Peters College, St Marks University College, Adelaide University, Australia |
| Occupation: | Student |
| Died: | Accidental, Timor Area, Netherlands East Indies, 14 February 1942, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ambon War Cemetery, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia 11 D 5-16 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, City of Port Pirie WW2 Memorial Gates, Hackney St Peter's College WW2 Honour Roll, North Adelaide St. Mark's College WW2 Honour Roll, Port Pirie St Peters Congregation Honour Roll WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Feb 1941: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 407894 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 407894, Adelaide | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour John Nicol Goodfellow's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Only son of Mr and Mrs J.N. Goodfellow of Port Pirie
Educated at St. Peter's College, he was school prefect and captain of Wyatt and Allen Houses. Thence to St. Mark's Universtiy College and the Adelaide University where he completed his second year couse in engineering. Trained at Mt. Breckan, Parafield and Pt Cook, where he received his commission at Pilot Officer, then posted to the General Reconnaissance Course at Laverton, followed by ockheed-Hudson, a comversion course at Nhill. Left for overseas January 16th and was kiled near Koepang, Dutch East Indies on Febrary 14th, 1942 at the age of 21 years.
Biography contributed by Grace Neuhaus
John Nicol Goodfellow was born in Manly, NSW on the 6th of January 1921, the only son of
John and Thelma Goodfellow. He attended Solomontown Primary School in Port Pirie, South Australia, becoming the Dux during the Qualifying Certificate Examination. He then attended St Peters College, achieving his Intermediate, Leaving and Leaving Honours examinations. He was also House Captain and School Prefect during this time. After graduation, In 1939 Goodfellow went on to St Mark's College to study a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide. Passing his first and second year with 1st place and credit in maths and engineering in 1939 and 13th place and a credit in drawing in 1940. During his time at university, Goodfellow participated in football, swimming, rowing, boxing and sailing.
On the 3rd of February 1941, Goodfellow enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force. Initially undertaking flight training at No. 4 Training school in Victor Harbour, he scored a record number of marks in his course and ranked first place among his peers. Goodfellow went on to Point Cook, Victoria to undertake his advanced training and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer before transferring to Laverton to learn navigation and reconnaissance.
As one of only 12 specially selected pilots, Goodfellow was trained in the flight and management of Lockheed Hudson’s, passing his course with great credit. From January 1942, John was attached to 13 Squadron, patrolling the countries North.
At dawn on the 14th of February 1942, Lockheed Hudson A16-61 MK2 conducted a patrol flight from Penfoei, Netherland East Indies. Due to a severe storm approaching from the south, the aircraft turned in an attempt to return to the aerodrome but encountered heavy rain and fog. The flight crashed only 5 miles south of the aerodrome. It was deemed that Goodfellow had lost control of the plane due to low visibility and low altitude on approach, some unofficial accounts state the plane was struck by lightning.
Pilot Officer John Nicol Goodfellow is interred at the Ambon War Cemetery, Maluku, Indonesia.
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