BAIRNSFATHER, Ralph McPherson
| Service Number: | 417440 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 May 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 49 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Penong, South Australia, 24 October 1921 |
| Home Town: | Wayville, Unley, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Goodwood Public & High Schools, SA, Australian School of Arts & Crafts & School of Mines & Industries |
| Occupation: | Junior Technician |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Germany, 7 March 1945, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany Plot 27, Row D, Grave 11 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Scots Church WW II Honour Board, Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Goodwood St George Anglican Church Memorial Tower, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Penong Honour Roll WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 23 May 1942: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 417440 | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 May 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide | |
| 23 May 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 417440 | |
| 7 Mar 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 417440, No. 49 Squadron (RAF), Death | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Ralph McPherson Bairnsfather's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Ralph McPherson BAIRNSFATHER was born on 24th October, 1921 in Penola, South Australia
His parents were John William Stenhouse BAIRNSFATHER and Florence REID
He enlisted with the RAAF on 23rd May, 1942 in Adelaide & trained with the Empire Air Training Scheme in Victor Harbour, South Australia
He died in an aircraft accident in a Lancaster Bomber (PB 537) whilst on a mission to bomb Harbourg near Hamburg, their plane crashed, killing four crew members. The remaining three crew members were taken prisoner of war by the Germans He is buried in Becklington War Cemetery in Germany
The inscription reads
"WE HAVE YOU IN OUR MEMORY, GOD HAS YOU IN HIS CARE'
His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial & the Roll of Honour in Unley, SA and Camden NSW
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Ralphs father John William Stenhouse BAIRNSFATHER served in WW1 (SN3632) as a Driver with the 7th Field Ambulance - he was born in Glasgow and returned to Australia in 1919 after the war
His brothers Hugh ( SN SX13785) served in WW2 (Army) and Bruce Clifford (SN437385) was in the RAAF - both survived WW2
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OBITUARY
Mr. & Mrs. J.W.S. Bairnsfather of Joslin St, Wayville have been informed that their 2nd son, WO Ralph McPherson Bairnsfather, 23, died from injuries and was buried at Sandbostel in Germany. He was a member of the crew of a a Lancaster engaged in operations over Harbourg, near Hamburg. W.O. Bairsnfather was educated at Goodwood and Adelaide High Schools and was attached to the staff at the Physics Department Adelaide University, when he joined the RAAF in 1942. His fiancee is Miss Marjorie McKee, younger daughter of Mrs. C McKee of Prospect.
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HEROES OF THE EMPIRE -
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them"
BAIRNSFATHER Ralph McPherson, W.O. RAAF
"Fragrant memories of dear Ralph called to higher service on March 7, 1945"
"A tribute of tender affection from his loving family "
"Memories of dear Ralph, called home March 7, 1945"
"So bright a gleam, so dear to dream, so few the happy years"
Click images to start slideshow.