CRADDOCK, Alan Fullerton
| Service Numbers: | 408799, 445428 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 November 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 2 July 1918 |
| Home Town: | Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Accidental Air Crash, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery Plot E, Row D, Grave 16 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 408799 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, 445428 | |
| 23 May 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 408799 | |
| 24 May 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 408799, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
Craddock Street
The name Craddock Street replaces Latrobe Street, North Geelong in Victoria 3215, on 14th November 1956,- As a dedication to this gentleman.
Submitted 15 May 2019 by sallyanne mckay
Biography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Born 02nd July 1918 in Geelong, Victoria
Father Charles Henry Craddock
(d. 26/1/1969 86 years of age, Geelong,
cremated in Geelong Western Public Cemetery, Niche Walls; Plot 061); and
Mother Adelaide Mary Craddock (d. 25/09/1986 98yrs Geelong,
cremated in Geelong Western Public Cemetery - Niche Walls),
lived at 12 Clarence Street, Geelong, Victoria
23/05/1941 enlisted into WWII RAAF in Melbourne, Victoria
Appointed Pilot Officer of 3 Operational Training Unit
***Note: Attestation Papers need to be ordered through National Archives of Australia***
RAAF PBY-5 Catalina, A24-39 (USN 0826), of 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines (3 OTU) crashed during a landing in rough seas opposite Wonderrabah Knob, Port Stephens, New South Wales at 0915 hours on 24 May 1943. The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in February 1942. The flight was part of an inspection of the Broken Bay and Port Stephens areas. F/Lt Higgins had flown to Port Stephens to see if the water was rough enough to carry out rough water landings as laid down in No. 3 OTU training. The OTU course had been extended by one week so that the pilots could get training in rough water landings. F/Lt Higgins had apparently decided that Broken Bay was not suitable for the training and proceed to Port Stephens where he crashed on landing.
Seven men were killed in the crash and two were injured as follows:-
Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins (400620) - Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Max Alexander Larkan (409842) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Sergeant Alan Fullerton Craddock (408799) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Norman John Brown (411992) W.A. Gunner - Killed
Corporal Thomas Henry Poole (19812) Fitter 2E - Killed
LAC Henry George Lovett (21419) - Fitter 2A - Killed
Sergeant John Johnson (411710) - W.A. Gunner - Seriously injured
Corporal Jaffre David James (8164) - Fitter 2E - Killed
AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow (72521) - Armourer - Slight Shock
Alan was buried in:
Sandgate War Cemetery, Sandgate, Newcastle, New South Wales
Plot E, Row D, Grave 16
His name is commemorated on Panel 112 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
His name is also commemorated on a plaque at 5a Lighthouse Road, Inner Light Maritime
Museum & Tea Rooms, Nelson Bay, NSW.
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 12/03/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.