Douglas Poultney DEWHURST

Douglas Poultney DEWHURST Update Details

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DEWHURST, Douglas Poultney

Service Number:	403780
Enlisted:	3 March 1941, Sydney, NSW
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	No. 21 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 October 1919
Home Town:	Mascot, Botany Bay, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Clerk, Secretary's Branch, Sydney County Council, Sydney New South Wales, Australia
Died:	Flying Battle, Netherlands East Indies, 31 July 1945, aged 25 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials:	Ambon Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flying Officer, 403780
3 Mar 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 403780, No. 21 Squadron (RAAF), Sydney, NSW
Date unknown:	Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 403780

Biography contributed by Mari Walker

Son of Harry Anthony and Ivy Muriel Dewhurst, of Mascot, New South Wales, Australia.

F/O Douglas Dewhurst enlisted on 3 March 1941 and saw service in the Middle East and Africa before joining #21 Squadron.
On 31 July 1945 F/O Dewhurst was serving with 21 Squadron, flying in Liberator A72-66. The Liberator aircraft left Moratai at 8am local time on 31 July to attack anti-aircraft positions at Lolobata in the Halmaheras. No word was heard from the aircraft after take off and the weather encountered in the target area was bad with low clouds and heavy rain. The aircraft failed to return to base although the remaining aircraft on the mission returned to base at 1.35pm local time. Searches were made by other aircraft but no sign of the missing aircraft or crew was found and for official purposes, presumed to be deceased as of 31 July 1945.
The crew members of A72-66 were:
Flight Sergeant Aubrey Edward Burgess (443659) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Robert William Delahunt (439573) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Douglas Poultney Dewhurst (403780) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flying Officer Jack Bonfield Faviell (403916) (Pilot)
Warrant Officer Bruce Vaughton Paech (416188) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Neville Herbert Playford (Navigator) (439635)
Flight Sergeant Gordon Malcolm Scott (23277) (Flight Engineer)
Pilot Officer William Joseph Stubbs (418199) (Co-Pilot)
Sergeant Ronald Jack Walker (439333) (Navigator)

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