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Walter William Beresford GALE Update Details

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GALE, Walter William Beresford

Personal Details

Service Number:	406243
Enlisted:	7 October 1940
Last Rank:	Squadron Leader
Last Unit:	No. 451 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Geraldton, Western Australia, 14 July 1920
Home Town:	Geraldton, Western Australia
Schooling:	Geraldton & Guildford Grammar School, WA
Occupation:	Bank Manager
Died:	Flying Battle, Toscana, Italy, 17 July 1944, aged 24 years
Cemetery:	Florence War Cemetery, Italy I. J. 18. Memorial: Bunbury Cemetery Western Australia Methodist section A Grave 274.
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

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Service History

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Squadron Leader, 406243
7 Oct 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 406243, No. 451 Squadron (RAAF), Extract from Herington, J. (John) (406545) Air War Over Europe 1944-1945, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1963 – Page 256 Two aircraft were covering the Napoli-Pisa area and two the Florence-Pisa area independently. Squadron Leader Gale was presumably hit by anti-aircraft fire. The incident occurred at 0635 hours. Spitfire MK267 was seen from 2,000 feet by his No 2 Flight Sergeant Godfrey Massey Ball (404227) about 300 feet above the ground and pouring white smoke. Flight Sergeant Ball then lost sight of the aircraft momentarily while he was doing a tight turn. A few seconds after Ball saw fire on the ground, which he considered almost certainly to be an aircraft burning. Ball circled taking camera gun shots for about 8 seconds. These however were not successful. Ball was then forced to withdraw as the anti-aircraft fire was intense and accurate.
7 Oct 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 406243

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Biography contributed

Walter Wlliam Beresford GALE was born in Geraldton, Western Australia on 14th July, 1920

His parents were Edwin GALE & Alice Elizabeth BRITTAIN who married in Bunbury, WA in 1917

Walter Wlliam Beresford GALE was born in Geraldton, Western Australia on 14th July, 1920

His parents were Edwin GALE & Alice Elizabeth BRITTAIN who married in Bunbury, WA in 1917

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Links and Documents

• Research Links

• AWM WW2 Roll of Honour
• CWGC - Florence War Cemetery
• DVA WW2 Nominal Roll
• Find A Grave - Florence War Cemetery
• Honour Avenues Group Kings Park
• Memorial: Bunbury Cemetery
• NAA WW2 RAAF Records
• RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum
• RAF Commands

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