Thomas Henry DAVIES

Thomas Henry DAVIES Update Details

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DAVIES, Thomas Henry

Service Number:	163
Enlisted:	15 July 1935, Point Cook, Victoria
Last Rank:	Squadron Leader
Last Unit:	No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia , 22 February 1917
Home Town:	Kensington, Randwick, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Student / Wireless Engineer
Died:	Flying Accident, Kavieng, New Ireland, New Guinea, 15 January 1942, aged 24 years
Cemetery:	Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea Plot B, Row C, Grave 8. Personal Inscription: "KILLED IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY".
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Catalina War Memorial (Rathmines R.A.A.F Memorial)

Non Warlike Service

15 Jul 1935:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Air Cadet, 163, Point Cook, Victoria

World War 2 Service

15 Jan 1942:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 163, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF), Killed In Action -- Flying Accident (Bomb exploded on take-off) -- Catalina A24-11 -- Nusa Harbour, Kavieng, New Ireland, New Guinea

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Biography contributed by Steve Larkins

Thomas Henry Davies (1917-1942)

Squadron Leader Thomas Davies was a 24 yo Catalina Flying Boat captain with No. 11 Squadron RAAF operating out of Kavieng on the northernmost tip of New Ireland, in the lead up to Japanse attacks on Rabaul.

Flying Catalina A24.11 on 15 Jan 1942, his was one of two aircraft assigned to attack Japanese shipping at Truk Lagoon. The other aircraft A24.14, was piloted by US Navy Lieutenant George Hutchinson, seconded to the RAAF from US Patrol Wing 10.

Hutchinson took off first and gained altitude despite a heavy swell running. Davies followed but before he could get airborne, the swell dislodged one of the underwing 250lb bombs and it detonated, destroying the aircraft and killing all on board. Hutchinson descended to render assistance but nothing could be done.

Hutchinson and all but one of his crew were later lost, on 21 January 1942 in Catalina A24.13 flying Salamua to Port Moresby when they were bounced by Zeros. See this entry:

Source:

1. Claringbold M.J. and Ingman, P. (2017) South Pacific Air War Vol 1 The Fall of Rabaul December 1941-March 1942, Avonmore Books ISBN 978-0-9945889-4-4 pp46

2. ADF Serials - http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a24.htm (www.adf-serials.com.au)

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