William John CANTERBURY

William John CANTERBURY Update Details

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CANTERBURY, William John

Service Number:	400037
Enlisted:	29 April 1940
Last Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit:	No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 28 May 1913
Home Town:	Dandenong, Greater Dandenong, Victoria
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Died:	Accidental (Aircraft accident), Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 7 September 1943, aged 30 years
Cemetery:	Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia C.B.4., Townsville War Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Dandenong Shire Roll of Honour

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 400037
29 Apr 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units
29 Apr 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 400037, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
7 Sep 1943:	Involvement Flight Lieutenant, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Catalina A24-52 of Number 11 Squadron (original USN Serial No 08335) crashed in Cleveland Bay at Townsville while attempting to land in rough conditions. After touching down it travelled a short distance before it struck a large wave and sank by the bow. Thirteen of the nineteen RAAF passengers and crew were killed:

FLTLT Charles John Miles (Captain) 405317 - Husband of Patricia Betty Miles of Colac, Victoria

FLTLT William John Canterbury (2nd Pilot) 400037 - Son of Thomas and Winnifred Lillian Canterbury of Dandenong, Victoria

Flying Officer Ronald Irvine Ferguson (3rd Pilot) 402496 - Son of Robert Joseph and Florence Jane Ferguson of Northbridge, NSW

Flying Officer Gordon John Robert Hockey (Navigator) 411089 - Son of Reuben and Alice Elizabeth Hockey & Husband of Phillis Edna Hockey of Armidale, NSW

Flying Officer Reginald Albert Weeks (WO/AG) 420317 - Son of John Thomas Weeks and Ellen Louisa Weeks of Maroubra, NSW

Flight Sergeant Bernard Victor McInerney (WO/AG) 420585 - Son of John Thomas McInerney and Ellen McInerney of Albion Park, NSW

Corporal William Richard George Lobb (Fitter 11E - ground crewman) 61254 - Son of Richard Joseph and Florence Maud Lobb of Ultimo, NSW

SQNLDR Leo Mathew Hogan 281940 Mention in Despatches (MiD) (passenger) - Son of Mr and Mrs M. J. Hogan & Husband of Constance Edna Marie Hogan (nee Richards) of Townsville, Queensland

Flying Officer Charles Harry Ratcliffe 119559 (passenger - Personal Assistant to Air Commodore Cobby) - Son of William Harry and Lydia Ratcliffe & Husband of Stella Esme Ratcliffe of Kogarah, NSW

SQNLDR John Vernon Angus 252693 (passenger) - Son of William James Angus and Sydney Angus of Prospect, SA & Husband of Kathleen Angus of Adelaide, SA

FLTLT Frank Haighton Lord 252297 (from Number 6 Medical Receiving Station - Merauke) - Son of Doctor Percy Oswald Lord and Francisca Frederica Lord & Husband of Margaret Ethel Lord of South Caulfield, Victoria

FLTLT William Archie Wilkinson 3418 (Airman # 1300) (passenger from Number 12 Signals Unit) - Son of William and Mary Jane Wilkinson & Husband of Cornelia Elizabeth Wilkinson of Albert Park, Victoria

Pilot Officer Beresford Frederick Shearman 423181 (passenger from 43 Squadron) - Son of Stewart Frederick and Marie Millicent Shearman of Orange, NSW

Crash Survivors (all survived war):

Wing Commander Willem Lodewyk Bosschart Stephens 1175

Sergeant Maxwell Burnett Dore 23699 (Fitter 11E - ground crewman)

Corporal Ronald Colin Smith 22211 (Fitter 11A - ground crewman)

Corporal Albert Leslie Fowler 62546 (Armourer - ground crewman) - awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his actions following this crash

Wing Commander Bruce Panton MacFarlan 26010 - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby (post-WW2 Service Number O251334) Commander of the Order of the British Empire; received the George Medal for his efforts in saving others following this crash. He was the Air Officer Commanding North Eastern Area for much of WW2. Served in WW1 as a Captain with the Australian Flying Corps where he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross 3 times (DFC & 2 bars) and a Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

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