BASHFORD, Percival Valentine
| Service Number: | 414881 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 142 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Toowoomba, Qld., 14 February 1920 |
| Home Town: | Fairfield, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Toowoomba Grammar School, Central Technical School |
| Occupation: | Motor Mechanic |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Italy, 24 February 1944, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bari War Cemetery XV D 34, Bari War Cemetery, Bari, Apulia, Italy |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Toowoomba Grammar School WW2 Honour Board, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW2, Toowoomba WW2 Roll of Honour Book, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial) |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 414881 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 414881, No. 142 Squadron (RAF), Brisbane, Qld. | |
| 6 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 414881 |
Help us honour Percival Valentine Bashford's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of John Edward George and Martha Kitchenham Bashford.
Flight Sergeant Percival Bashford was the pilot and Captain of a No. 142 Squadron Royal Air Force Wellington bomber MK Z US that was detailed to attack the Daimler Puch aircraft works at Steyr in Austria. The aircraft took off at 6.06 p.m. on 24th February 1944 and no further news was received after take-off. The aircraft was lost whilst returning from the operation. A statement from the Rear-Gunner (Sergeant W.J. Borton) of the Royal Air Force stated that the aircraft developed engine trouble on the port motor before reaching the target and Flight Sergeant Bashford decided to return to base. The bomb load was jettisoned in the sea, and fifteen minutes before signal lights were seen, the aircraft broke cloud at 2,000 feet, and crashed a few seconds later.
BASHFORD.— A tribute of love to the memory of my precious Son, 414881 Flt. Sgt. Val Bashford, Acting Captain of a Wellington Bomber, attached to 142 Squadron, R.A.F., who paid the supreme sacrifice at Ariana, Italy, whilst returning from an air raid over Germany on February 24th. 1944, aged 24 years 10 days, interred at Foggia Cemetery, Italy.
He has but gone across the way
Where sunlight brighter shines, to know
the perfect day.
Alas! its easy to say so many things.
But parting with a loved one stinging
sorrow brings:
Oh, sad and aching heart of mine, take
comfort new.
In love we still are one, tho' he is
lost to view.
His loving mother.
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