WHITEHEAD, Alexander Douglas
| Service Number: | 121592 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 November 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 24 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Tailem Bend, South Australia, 8 October 1924 |
| Home Town: | Mylor, Adelaide Hills, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Tailem Bend & Mylor Primary Schools, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Farm Labourer |
| Died: | Aircraft crashed during an Operational Mission, Vansittart Bay, Western Australia, Australia, 23 March 1945, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide River Northern Territory Memorial, Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mylor War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 11 Nov 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 121592 | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Nov 1942: | Involvement Sergeant, 121592 | |
| 11 Nov 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 11 May 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, Trainee Wireless Assistant | |
| 6 Jun 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman | |
| 21 Mar 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 21 Squadron (RAAF), 21.3.1944-A/Sgt. (Unpd.) 11.6.1944-A/Sgt. (Pd.) Keep rank on posting. | |
| 22 Feb 1945: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 24 Squadron (RAAF), Armourer Air Gunner onboard Liberator A72-80, nicknamed "Old Nick". | |
| 23 Mar 1945: | Wounded Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 121592, No. 24 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45, Missing, believed killed, air operations, Vansittart Bay, Aus. Presumed dead as a result of a flying accident at Truscott Airbase, W.A. | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Alexander Douglas Whitehead's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Rich Douglas Whitehead and Adelaide Mary Dodds Whitehead of Jervois, South Australia
Mr. D. Whitehead, of Jervois, has been notified that his son, Sgt. A. D. Whitehead, previously reported missing, believed killed on March 23, 1945. is now presumed to have died on that date. He was an armorer air gunner on a Liberator bomber which crashed into the sea on an operational flight.
RAAF Liberator aircraft A72-80 of 24 Squadron crashed into Vansittart Bay, WA shortly after take-off from Truscott airstrip on an Operational mission - all on board were killed:
Bodies not recovered, commemorated on the Northern Territory Memorial -
Flying Officer John Wilson Hursthouse 416215
Flying Officer Raymond Allenby Whiting 426733
Warrant Officer William Richard Flanagan 401748
Warrant Officer Herbert Gordon Parker 408591
Flight Sergeant Howey James Boyd 427775
Flight Sergeant Ronald Malcolm Morris 46563
Flight Sergeant John Richmond Ryan 422716
Sergeant Alexander Douglas Whitehead 121592
Corporal Douglas William Madden 36484
Bodies recovered, buried at Adelaide River War Cemetery -
Squadron Leader Nathaniel Ivan Straus 250759 (Mentioned in Despatches)
Flight Lieutenant Charles David Parry-Okeden 404485
Flight Sergeant William Anthony Jordan Rodgers 436889
Click images to start slideshow.