NICHOLLS, Philip Ernest
| Service Number: | SX6040 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 June 1940, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Croydon, South Australia, 14 November 1916 |
| Home Town: | Eden Hills, Mitcham, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental (Aircraft accident), Monto, Queensland Australia, 21 November 1943, aged 27 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bundaberg General Cemetery, Queensland Plot A Row B Collective Grave 1 - 5 / 10 - 16, Bundaberg General Cemetery, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Jun 1940: | Involvement Sergeant, SX6040 | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 21 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, SX6040 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Philip Ernest Nicholls'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 Arthur Philip and Mary Elizabeth Nicholls
Husband of Gwendollyne Inez Nicholls of Brighton, SA
Five Australian Army soldiers were travelling as passengers on Dakota C-47-DL, #41-18648, call sign VH-CGC "Star Duster" of the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Transport Group, USAAF when it was posted as missing.
The aircraft was lost on its final leg from Ward's airfield in New Guinea to Archerfield. It took on cargo in Townsville and mail in Rockhampton. After leaving Rockhampton the aircraft disappeared without trace. The wreckage was located in June 1948 in the Monto area, 65 miles west of Bundaberg
The American crew consisted of: 1st Lt Victor N Gibson, pilot / 2nd Lt Michael L Reitman, co-pilot / S/Sgt Everett L Ahmann, aerial engineer / Cpl John F Guigo (or Guigno), radio operator
American passengers were Technician 5th Grade Albert E. Peglow & T/Sgt T.G. Cucciaro
Australian Army Passengers:
Sergeant Hugh John McClean NX151913 of Australian Headquarters Moresby Base Sub Area
Sergeant Philip Ernest Nicholls SX6040 of Australian Army Pay Corps - 1 Corps Field Cash office / QLD L of C Accounts Office
Gunner Thomas Layton Vinecombe VX37247 of 2/3rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment / 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment
Sergeant Jack Ernest Kerr NX125184 of 165th General Transport Company, Australian Army Service Corps
Sergeant Albert William Lawrence WX16521 of 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RAA
RAAF passengers:
Flying Officer Frank McLaurin Bartlett 265197 of 25 Operational Base Unit
Leading Aircraftman Hector Richard Hore 126243 of 20 Squadron
Click images to start slideshow.