Virtual War Memorial | William Henry James (Bill) GOURLEY

William Henry James (Bill) GOURLEY Update Details

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GOURLEY, William Henry James

Service Number:	402118
Enlisted:	27 May 1940
Last Rank:	Sergeant
Last Unit:	No. 76 Squadron (RAF)
Born:	Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia, 26 March 1918
Home Town:	Haberfield, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Commercial Traveller
Died:	Flying Battle, France, 24 July 1941, aged 23 years
Cemetery:	Pornic War Cemetery, Pays de la Loire, France 1. AB. 6. "OUR BILL" LOVED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS BY MUM AND SISTER KATH.
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Narromine Aviation Museum Memorial Wall

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Sergeant, 402118
27 May 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402118
10 Jun 1940:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 402118, No. 2 Initial Training School Bradfield Park
22 Jul 1940:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman
25 Jul 1940:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School Narromine
18 Sep 1940:	Embarked 2 Embarkation Depot
16 Jan 1941:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant
16 Feb 1941:	Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, Operational Training Units (RAF), 19 OTU, RAF Kinloss
5 May 1941:	Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 78 Squadron (RAF)
21 Jul 1941:	Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 76 Squadron (RAF)
24 Jul 1941:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402118, No. 76 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45, Flight Engineer in Halifax L9529. He successfully baled out after his plane was hit by flak and crashed during a raid on the German cruiser Scharnhorst near La Rochelle but apparently drowned before he could be recovered.

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