Francis BODLEY

BODLEY, Francis

Service Number: 440688
Enlisted: 11 February 1944
Last Rank: Flight Sergeant
Last Unit: No. 35 Squadron (RAAF) - WW2
Born: Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, 10 June 1913
Home Town: Bundaberg, Bundaberg, Queensland
Schooling: Christian Brothers College, Bundaberg, Queensland / Technical College Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Occupation: Industrial (Sugar) Chemist.
Died: Flying Accident, At sea (between Ambon and Darwin), 19 December 1945, aged 32 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials: Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bundaberg Civic Centre Memorial Portico
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Flight Sergeant, 440688
11 Feb 1944: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 440688
26 Oct 1945: Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, No. 35 Squadron (RAAF) - WW2

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Biography contributed by Mari Walker

Son of Francis Michael and Agnes Ada Bodley, of Tingalpa, Queensland, Australia.

Flight Sergeant Francis Bodley enlisted on 11 February 1944. He saw service in Australia, and in October 1945 transferred to 35 Squadron and then in June 1946 was posted to Air Force HQ.
Flt Sgt Bodley was educated at Christian Brothers’ High School, Bundaberg, Queensland from 1925 until 1929. His father was Irish, his mother Australian and he lived at Tingalpa via Brisbane. He enjoyed football, rowing, swimming and Surf Life Saving.
Flt Sgt Bodley was the Navigator on RAAF CIZ which left Ambon on 19 December carrying 21 medical evacuees for return to Darwin (other crew members were F Robinson, N Hazle, GR Connell). The aircraft was not heard of again and all on board were declared missing, with their date of death then given as 19 December 1945.

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