DRAKE-BROCKMAN, Desmond James
| Service Number: | 406553 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 February 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAF) |
| Born: | Toodyay, Western Australia , 27 May 1922 |
| Home Town: | Toodyay, Toodyay, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer & Grazier |
| Died: | Landing Accident on training flight, Nairobi Kenya East Africa, 5 June 1942, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 406553, No. 5 Initial Training School Pearce | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 406553 | |
| 23 Apr 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 406553, Operational Training Units (RAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
Sergeant Desmond James Drake-Brockman was the son of Robert James Drake-Brockman and Rose Ita Drake-Brockman, of Toodyay, Western Australia.
On the 5th June 1942, Blenheim light bomber NR6223 with Sergeant Desmond James on board in his role as Wireless Air Gunner took off on a training flight to Nairobi Kenya, and crashed at approximately 1630 hours at Bagathi near Nairobi, Kenya.
All the crew were killed. Instructions were given to the crew that the aircraft was to return if difficulties were encountered due to cloud.
On approaching Nairobi the aircraft ran into a heavy cloud formation, but instead of returning an attempt was made to find Nairobi. The aircraft descended through cloud with the undercarriage lowered and at reduced speed, but it struck the ground with considerable force.
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