CLARKE, William Ernest
| Service Number: | 277547 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 May 1945 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Reserve (Civil Aircrew) |
| Born: | White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia, 25 January 1904 |
| Home Town: | White Cliffs, Central Darling, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Pilot |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Higgins Field, Queensland, Australia, 5 May 1945, aged 41 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland Columbarium Wall 4 / Section 3 / Services Niche 290 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bamaga DC3 Aircraft Crash Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 277547 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 1943: | Honoured George Medal, Civil pilot during the evacuations at Salamaua | |
| 1 May 1945: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF Reserve (Civil Aircrew) | |
| 1 May 1945: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 277547 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Alice Henrietta Clarke & Husband of Sylvia Joan Clarke of Rose Bay, NSW
William Ernest Clarke was an ANA Civilian pilot operating as a member of the RAAF Reserve (Civil Aircrew) - he was posthumously provided with the rank of Flying Officer and service number 277547
Awarded the George Medal in July 1943 for his bravery as a Civil pilot during the evacuations at Salamaua
Cremated at Mount Thompson Crematorium and his ashes were interred there.
Douglas C-49H (DC-3) VH-CXD / USAAF # 44-83228 was operated by Australian National Airways (A.N.A.) under charter for military purposes and utilising RAAF aircrew as required.
The aircraft was circling to land at Higgins Field in far north Queensland when it struck the top of a hill while landing in darkness. It crashed and the crew and passengers were incinerated.
RAAF Personnel of Number 4 Communications Unit, Archerfield - buried at Townsville War Cemetery:
Warrant Officer James Hillman Hornbrook 432183 (2nd pilot) - Son of Doctor John Hillman Hornbrook and Marjorie Lillian Hornbrook of Strathfield, NSW
Flight Sergeant Neville Tasman Browne 436542 (2nd pilot under instruction) - Son of Horace Stanley and Hilda Blanche Browne of Mount Lawley, WA
Warrant Officer Alfred Henry Gidley 415975 Wireless Operator (Aircraft) - Son of Alfred and Anne Gidley & Husband of Elizabeth Kelly Gidley of Wiluna, WA
Also killed were Sergeant Henry E Doherty 32337697 & Corporal Rudolph M Kozen 16022995 of 322nd Troop Carrier Wing, US Military
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