COWLEY, Jack Desborough
| Service Number: | 19598 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 November 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 20 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Northcote, Victoria, Australia., 21 January 1915 |
| Home Town: | Croydon, Maroondah, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Student of Civil Aviation |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Java, Netherlands East Indies, 21 May 1944, aged 29 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, Croydon Civic Centre War Memorial, Croydon RSL Memorial Honour Roll, Croydon War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 19598 | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 19598 | |
| 24 Sep 1943: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 20 Squadron (RAAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Bonald
Extract from Odgers, G.J. (George James) (VX127783) Air War Against Japan 1943-1945, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1957 – Page 230.
It was found that planning the Catalina mining operations against Surabaya harbour was difficult because of the lack of aerial reconnaissance and the fact that nothing was known of the positions of anti-aircraft and searchlight defences. In addition, the carrier aircraft and Liberator strikes of the 17th May meant that the air defences would be alert. The decision was made to sow a field in an area which had been sown on a previous mission. This decision proved unfortunate. Six Catalinas of Nos. 11 and 20 Squadrons took off from Yampi Sound on the night of 20th May and at Surabaya ran into heavy fire from light guns of all kinds. Two of the Catalinas retired and laid their mines successfully from a safer datum point. Enemy fire hit one of them, making holes in both petrol tanks. This Catalina, captained by Wing Commander Havyatt, signalled later, when 150 miles from the target, that it was losing petrol rapidly and making for a forced landing on the north coast of Lombok. No further word was heard from it.
The crew members of A24-73 were:
Sergeant Kenneth Harold John Clarke (21374) (Fitter II Airframe)
Sergeant Jack Desborough Cowley (19598) (Flight Engineer)
Warrant Officer Lionel Dellit (413837) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Norman Bruce Gill (413983) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant Howard William Hall (16069) (Flight Engineer)
Wing Commander Harry Geoffrey Havyatt MID (391) (Pilot)
Flight Lieutenant Frank William Jeffrey MID (401602) (Navigator)
Flying Officer John Ainslie George Maslin (410906) (Third Pilot)
Pilot Officer Francis Howard Russell (15576) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Charles Reginald Whincup (409865) (Navigator)
Click images to start slideshow.