CHRISTENSEN, Edward Manton
| Service Number: | 406559 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 February 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 100 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Northam, Western Australia, Australia, 1 July 1915 |
| Home Town: | Northam, Northam, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Northam School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Employed by Beovis Bros, Northam and Barnes Cash Stores in various positions. |
| Died: | Aircraft Accident , New Guinea, 23 January 1945, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lae War Cemetery (CWGC) Grave Reference Location ~ Plot TT. Row A. Grave 3. Personal Inscription ~ "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN...EVER REMEMBERED". |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial, Northam Fallen |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 406559 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406559, No. 100 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 23 Jan 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406559, No. 100 Squadron (RAAF) |
Help us honour Edward Manton Christensen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Edward Manton CHRISTENSEN was born in Northam, Western Australia on 15th July, 1915
His parents were Edward CHRISTENSEN & Annie May MANTON
He married Betty Doreen SMITH in Northam, WA on 28th May 1941 - one daughter Bethany
Edward died after a collison between two aircraft in Yaurang, New Guinea on 23rd January, 1945 and is buried in the Lae War Cemetery
Biography contributed by Geoff Tilley
Edward Manton Christensen, known as Ted, was born in Northam in July 1915, to Edward Christensen and Annie May Manton who were married in 1912 at Katanning He had two sisters Gladys and Effie.
Edward spent his formative years in Northam, where he attended school and became well known for his friendly, outgoing nature. A keen sportsman, he had a lifelong love of the outdoors, particularly motorcycle riding and camping. He also enjoyed playing the violin, and his strong Christian faith was reflected in his active involvement with the local Church of Christ.
Edward began his working life with the Northam grocery firm Beovis Brothers and Barnes Cash Stores. Starting as a shop assistant and counter hand, he progressed to salesman and eventually manager. His duties also included truck driving to support the company's grocery supply and delivery operations.
Edward enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1941 as a trainee airman. He quickly progressed through pilot training, which commenced in April 1941 and culminated in the award of his Flying Badge in August 1942. In October 1942, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer.
Edward married Betty in Northam in May 1941. During his training, Betty returned to her hometown of Geraldton, where their only child, a daughter named Bethany, was born in May 1942.
Over the next two years, Edward developed into an experienced military pilot. In September 1944, by then a Flight Lieutenant, he was posted to No. 100 Squadron at Tadji, New Guinea. He flew his first operational mission the day after arriving.
No. 100 Squadron operated Bristol Beaufort bombers, carrying out bombing and strike missions against Japanese military installations throughout New Guinea and the surrounding islands. Edward took part in 40 combat operations.
On 23 January 1945, Flight Lieutenant Christensen was captain of Beaufort A9-627 during an operation over Yaurang, New Guinea. While flying in poor visibility over the target area, his aircraft emerged from cloud at the same moment as another RAAF Beaufort, A9-626. The two aircraft collided in mid-air and crashed. Of the combined crews, only one airman survived.
Flight Lieutenant Edward Manton Christensen, Service No. 406559, of No. 100 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, was killed in action at Yaurang, New Guinea, on 23 January 1945. He was 29 years old.
Edward is buried alongside his crew at the Lae War Cemetery where he is remembered with honour.
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