COWEY, Wallace James
| Service Number: | 430644 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 February 1943 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Auburn, Victoria, Australia, 6 December 1924 |
| Home Town: | The Patch, Yarra Ranges, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Upwey Higher Elementary School (Intermediate Level), .Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Junior Clerk, Victorian Railways. |
| Died: | Flying Battle, New Guinea, 18 May 1944, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Commemorated ~ (CWGC) Official Commemoration- Column 9, Ambon Memorial, Ambon, Maluku, Indonesia. |
| Memorials: | Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 430644 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Feb 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 430644 | |
| 7 May 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 18 (Netherlands East Indies) Squadron (RAAF) |
Help us honour Wallace James Cowey's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Bonald
Extract from Aviation Heritage Museum.
On 18 May 1944, N5-177 was one of six No. 18 Squadron Mitchell aircraft tasked on an offensive sweep of Saumlaki in the Tanimbar Islands. Over Saumlaki, N5-177 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and one engine burst into flames. The aircraft turned over and crashed into the village with a large explosion followed by a fierce fire. All six crew members were killed.
The crew members of N5-177 were:
Sergeant F Belling (NEIAF) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant Wallace James Cowey (430644) (Tail Gunner)
Lieutenant J Geerke (NEIAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant L Heijs (NEIAF) (Top Gunner)
Lieutenant E Soute (NEIAF) (Bombardier)
Sergeant P Wallaard (NEIAF) (Wireless Operator)
Click images to start slideshow.