Wallace James COWEY

Wallace James COWEY Update Details

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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

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)

Biography 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)

Virtual
War Memorial
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