Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Beaufort A9-377 of Number 7 Squadron crashed 2 miles east of Higgins Field - the aircraft dived into the ground at a sharp angle from about 300 feet, having completed a normal turn down wind after take-off.  The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in July 1943.  All crew were killed in the loss:

Flight Sergeant John William Bracken - Pilot (423608) - Son of Richard Thomas Bracken and Agnes Elizabeth Bracken of Roseville, NSW

Flight Sergeant Andrew Frank (427618) - Son of Joseph Henry and Alice Frank & Husband of Eva Grace Frank of Narrogin, WA

Flying Officer Thomas Albert Charles Daymond (429762) - Son of William Albert and Evelyn May Daymond of Kalgoorlie, WA

Flight Sergeant Lionel Ernest James Parkes (413323) - Son of Ernest Stanmore Parkes and Anorah Marcella Parkes of Armidale, NSW

Higgins Field, previously known as Jacky Jacky and sometimes called Red Point, was located near the tip of Cape York Peninsula. On 3 June 1943, Lieutenant General Kenney renamed it Higgins Field in honour of Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins 400620, killed on air operations on 25 May 1943.

Son of Richard Thomas Bracken and Agnes Elizabeth Bracken, of Roseville, New South Wales.

FLT.-SGT. BRACKEN
KILLED IN
PLANE ACCIDENT
Advice was received in Lismore yesterday that Plight Sergeant John William Bracken (R.A.A.F.), eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Bracken, of the Commercial Hotel, Lismore. had been killed in an accident while on an operational flight in a northern battle area on Sunday. In addition to his parents he is survived by a younger brother, L.A/c. Keith Richard Bracken, an air crew trainee. Flt./Sgt. Bracken was 20 years of age and had seen 2 1/2 years' service in the R.A.A.F.  On one occasion the wing of the plane he was piloting was shot off by the enemy, and the plane and crew were forced  down into the sea. After being in the water for some time Flt./Sgt. Bracken was rescued by the crew of a Catalena. On another flight and during a low level bombing attack over New Guinea, Flight- Sergeant Bracken's plane was riddled with bullets.
After a flight of 300 miles. 200 over enemy territory, Flt./Sgt. Bracken brought the plane back to the base. For this action he was recommended for promotion to commissioned rank. Prior to his  enlistment Flt./Sgt. Bracken was on the staff of the Castlereagh Street Sydney, branch of the Bank of Australasia. He received his education at the Melbourne Grammar School and the Southport  Church of England Grammar School. At one time he was a member of the choir at St. Peter's Church of England, Brighton Beach, Victoria. While at Southport school Fit./ Sgt. Bracken won the open  championship cup for debating. He was a keen sportsman and won the junior tennis championship in Lismore about three years ago. He was also associated with swimming, cricket and football. Flt./Sgt. Bracken was buried at the operational base yesterday afternoon.

LATE PILOT-OFFICER JOHN
WILLIAM BRACKEN 

Advice Has been received by Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Bracken, of the Commercial Hotel, Lismore, that their son, the late Pilot Officer John William Bracken, has been mentioned in despatches. The advice was received from the Minister for Air. who stated that the mention in despatches was announced by the Governor General of Australia, the Duke of Gloucester. The advice added that the Minister for Air  and the Air Board honed that this recosnition of Pilot Officer Bracken's gallant service would be some consolation to Mr. and Mrs. Bracken. Pilot Officer Bracken enlisted at the age of 18 years and completed his training at Narrandera and Point Cook and was posted to operation stations in the north. He lost his life at 20 in a plane accident during an operational flight. A second son, L.A/c. Keith Bracken has completed his initial training course as a pilot and is now waiting his posting to a senior flying school.