Desmond James DRAKE-BROCKMAN

Desmond James DRAKE-BROCKMAN Update Details

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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:	Nairobi War Cemetery, Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi (Forest Road) Cemetery Block 16 Grave 26
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

Help us honour Desmond James Drake-Brockman's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography 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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