HIGGINS, Brian Hartley
| Service Numbers: | 300189, 400620 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 June 1935 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
| Born: | Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia , 3 August 1914 |
| Home Town: | Wangaratta, Wangaratta, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Partner of Wangaratta Chronicle (newspaper) |
| Died: | Accidental Air Crash, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery Plot F, Row D, Grave 11, Perth War Cemetery and Annex, Perth, Western Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Wangaratta War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 10 Jun 1935: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 300189 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 400620 | |
| 18 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 400620, enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria | |
| 18 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 400620 | |
| 12 Jan 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 400620, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 1 Apr 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Acting Flight Lieutenant, 400620, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 18 Dec 1942: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 1 Apr 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines | |
| 24 May 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 400620, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
Help us honour Brian Hartley Higgins's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Julianne Ryan
Father William Thomas Higgins and Mother Katherine Eva Maud Higgins,
lived at Wangaratta, Victoria
June 1935 discharged from 58th Infantry Battalion, AIF to join RAAF
Described on enlisting into WWII as 26 years 1 month of age; single; 5' 5" tall;
184 lbs; fresh complexion; hazel eyes; dark-medium hair; Roman Catholic
18/09/1940 enlisted into WWII RAAF in Melbourne, Victoria
06/11/1941 promoted as Flying Officer
18/12/1942 Awarded the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' - London Gazette
for numerous flying operations over Tabuk, Rabual, Gasmata etc
01/04/1943 promoted to Flight Lieutenant
RAAF PBY-5 Catalina, A24-39 (USN 0826), of 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines (3 OTU) crashed during a landing in rough seas opposite Wonderrabah Knob, Port Stephens, New South Wales at 0915 hours on 24 May 1943. The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in February 1942. The flight was part of an inspection of the Broken Bay and Port Stephens areas. F/Lt Higgins had flown to Port Stephens to see if the water was rough enough to carry out rough water landings as laid down in No. 3 OTU training. The OTU course had been extended by one week so that the pilots could get training in rough water landings. F/Lt Higgins had apparently decided that Broken Bay was not suitable for the training and proceed to Port Stephens where he crashed on landing.
Seven men were killed in the crash and two were injured as follows:-
Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins (400620) - Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Max Alexander Larkan (409842) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Sergeant Alan Fullerton Craddock (408799) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Norman John Brown (411992) W.A. Gunner - Killed
Corporal Thomas Henry Poole (19812) Fitter 2E - Killed
LAC Henry George Lovett (21419) - Fitter 2A - Killed
Sergeant John Johnson (411710) - W.A. Gunner - Seriously injured
Corporal Jaffre David James (8164) - Fitter 2E - Killed
AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow (72521) - Armourer - Slight Shock
Brian was buried in:
Sandgate War Cemetery, Sandgate, Newcastle, New South Wales
Plot F, Row D, Grave 11
His name is commemorated on Panel 112 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
His name is also commemorated on a plaque at 5a Lighthouse Road, Inner Light Maritime
Museum & Tea Rooms, Nelson Bay, NSW.
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 12/03/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.