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Son of Theodor Emil and Marie Antonia Beinke, of Prospect, South Australia.

HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE

Dudley enjoyced Tennis, Cricket, Football, Swimming and general Atheltics.

FAREWELL AT THEVENARD

DUDLEY BEINKE ENLISTS IN R.A.A.F.

On Monday evening, February 12, Thevenard Hall was packed when Dudley Beinke [ Dudley Raymond Beinke ], who has enlisted in the R.A.A.F., was tendered a farewell. Dudley is the first to be called  up from those who have enlisted from the district, and we are sure he will do us credit, as he is a lad of sterling character, a sportsman of far above-average ability and has a very attractive personality. Mr. J. Mason, after making an appropriate speech, presented the guest with a beautiful wallet containing a substantial sum of money. Dudley rose, amid cheers, to respond, and thanked  everyone for the gift and the honour bestowed on him by the remarks and the attendance of those present. Excellent music for the dancing was supplied by Mrs. J. Alexander and Mr. L. Fannigan. Mr. J. Powe carried out the duties of M.C. in a very capable manner.

‒ from page 1 of “The West Coast Sentinel” (Streaky Bay, SA) of 23 February 1940

WANTS TO GET INTO ACTION - THE BOYS WRITE HOME

SGT. DUDLEY BEINKE, R.A.A.F., LOOKS FORWARD TO HUN BY CHRISTMAS

From Sgt. Dudley Beinke [ Dudley Raymond Beinke ], R.A.A.F., England, to his parents.

“Here goes for a bit more news. “I suppose you are anxious to get my letters. “It’s terrible, isn’t it, having to wait so long before they turn up? “We have been in England now for over three weeks, and  haven’t got any mail yet, but I suppose it will turn up any time. “We have had a lovely time since being in England, and the people have been very nice to us, but for all that, I wouldn’t like to live over  here. “Give me dear old Aussie any day. I always thought England was modern, but I am quite convinced now that Australia is miles ahead and our cities are a lot better. “We got some leave before  starting work, and spent it at Bournemouth, which is one of England’s most popular seaside resorts. “It is really a lovely place, and the beach is very nice, but nothing compared with Bondi and Manly. “Our blue uniforms created a sensation down there. People at first thought we were free Frenchmen until we got the Australia bands on our arms, and then they couldn’t do enough for us. “It  still being summertime here, we did quite a lot of swimming and sunbathing. “Gosh, it was incredible to think that the enemy was only about a quarter of an hour away by air! “The morale of the  British people in England is simply marvellous. “They do not seem to care about air raids anymore; they just keep on working for victory. “Honestly, I don’t think England would ever fail until the last  person was killed. “The womenfolk are marvellous the way they have taken over men’s work. “There are thousands of girls in uniform, and, believe me, they do a great job. “...We had quite a long bus  ride through London, and so bad quite a few of the famous places pointed out to us, such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and so on… “We have seen quite a  lot of bombed areas. Gee, it's terrible the damage that has been done. But Southampton seems to have had the worst of all. “Where we are is a very big station. It has its own cinema, dance hall,  beautiful, tiled swimming pool ‒ in fact, it is nice ail round, with plenty of tennis courts and sporting facilities. We have got quite a lot of advanced wireless to do, but it won't take very long. “Jack,  Graham, and I ‒ as well as the other boys who came over with us‒ have been put into the senior class, and will be the first lot to pass out to on operational squadron. I am looking forward to getting into action, and by Christmas time ‒ well, who knows ‒ I hope to have at least one Hun to my credit. “With a bit of luck, we should be out in about three weeks’ time.

“Thank goodness, as I’m sick of swotting. “…Remember me to all my friends and tell them to keep up the V sign for Victory.”

‒ from page 3 of “The West Coast Sentinel” (Streaky Bay, SA) of 31 October 1941.

SGT. D. BEINKE POSTED MISSING

On Tuesday, Mr. H.G. Watson, of Ceduna, received a telegram from Mrs. Beinke saying that her son, Sgt. Dudley Beinke [ Dudley Raymond Beinke ], RAAF, was reported missing in air operations on June 1. Dudley who is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Beinke, of Adelaide and Thevenard, was one of the first boys in the district to enlist in the RAAF. He was tendered a farewell at Thevenard on  February 12, 1940. He did most of his training in Victoria and New South Wales, and was then transferred to England. Sgt. Beinke was one of the most popular and most highly respected lads in tire  district. Everyone is hoping that he is missing only temporarily and will turn up shortly.

‒ from page 1 of “The West Coast Sentinel” (Streaky Bay, SA) of 12 June 1942.

LATE SGT. BEINKE - OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEATH

The following letter from the Department of Air to Mr. T.E. Beinke, of Prospect, gives some details of the death of his son, Sgt. Dudley Raymond Beinke. He lived at Thevenard with his parents up to the  time of his enlistment, and was one of the first to go from that town. As he was a most popular boy, his many friends will be interested in the letter. He was reported missing, believed killed, last June:‒

“A copy of a report obtained from Flight Lieut. A.J. Holland, of the Royal Air Force, through the International Red Cross Committee, has been received in this department from overseas headquarters, London.

“Flight Lieut. Holland, who was the captain of your son’s crew on the night of the 1st-2nd June, 1942, states that the aircraft crashed into the sea as a result of an encounter with the enemy at a low altitude, during which it was badly damaged. Flight Lieut. Holland believes that the aircraft must have broken up on hitting the water, as part of it sank immediately, while other parts were above the  surface. “With your son and three other members of the crew, Flight-Lieut. Holland managed to swim to open water, but the rear gunner was trapped in the aircraft and went down with it. “An enemy  ship arrived on the scene fifteen minutes after the crash, but I deeply regret to say that your son died as he was being taken out of the water.” “The survivors were taken to hospital at Bergenopoom, where they were given medical attention. “All were badly injured and one of them died six weeks later. Flight Lieut. Holland believes that the remaining members are now quite recovered. “Official information received from Germany states that the bodies of your son and the rear gunner were recovered from the sea, but no information has yet. been received regarding the place of their burial.

“This information will he passed on to you immediately it becomes available.”

‒ from page 1 of “The West Coast Sentinel” (Streaky Bay, SA) of 22 April 1942.

MISSING AIRMAN'S COMRADE WRITES

“NEVER EXPECT TO FLY WITH ANOTHER LIKE SGT. BEINKE”

A young pilot in England has written Mr. and Mrs. Beinke of his companionship with their son Dudley [ Dudley Raymond Beinke ], who has been reported missing following air operations over the continent. The pilot is an Australian named Sgt. Pilot H.H. Hurditch, and his quiet testimonial speaks of a great friendship. He writes:‒

“No doubt you will have heard that Dudley is missing. “To say that I am very sorry seems so very inappropriate, but I'm afraid I can think of nothing else. "I was unable to take Dudley and the others  on their last 'op' to Essen on Monday night, the first and second of June, as I went into hospital after our trip the previous Saturday to Cologne. “I would have loved to have gone, though, as we had  done 13 trips together, and knew each other really well. “I think I will miss Dudley more than the others. “We were the same age and were so much together. He was a splendid chap, and a marvellous  wireless operator. “I never expect to fly with another like him. “Of course, it is extremely likely that they could have bailed out over the Continent, in which case we will hear from them in about five  weeks’ time. “Should we do so, I'll cable you as soon as I have something definite. “Please excuse such a poor attempt at writing a most difficult letter.”

‒ from page 1 of “The West Coast Sentinel” (Streaky Bay, SA) of 28 August 1942, pg1.

The adopted son of Theodor Emil and Marie Antonia Beinke, of Prospect, South Australia.

Born Dudley Raymond KLOEDEN to Maria Lina KLOEDEN at Ceduna, South Australia. His Father is "believed" to have been Fred KING. Lina and Fred did marry afterwards and had other children.

Lina is burried in the Ceduna Cemetery, SA; and Theodor Emil and Marie Antonia Beinke are buried in the Salisbury Memorial Park, Salisbury, SA.

Dudley was part of the crew (an air gunner) of Wellington Z1344.  

Aircraft was Wellington Z 1344 of 460 squadron.  Piloted by F/O Holland, (RAFVR but Australian born) Z1344 took off from RAF Breighton in Yorkshire on 1 June 1942 to take part in the second "Thousand Bomber Raid" on the Ruhr, but only 956 of the target total could be mustered; over half were Wellingtons.  35 aircraft were lost 140 aircrew killed and 47 injured.  460 Squadron lost a second Wellington, shot down by a night fighter with the loss of all the crew.

Holland reported that, approaching the Dutch cost and flying close to sea level they were hit by anti-aircraft fire which set the aircraft on fire.  Five or six seconds later it hit the sea and sank in pieces almost immediately.  All but Watkins, the Rear Gunner, made it to the surface.  They were picked by a German Anti Aircraft ship.  Bienke died as after being taken on board, from extensive injuries.  SGT Cheese later died of his wounds.  The remainder became PoW.

The raid 

See Aircrew Remembered link