HORNBROOK, James Hillman
| Service Number: | 432183 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 December 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
| Born: | Hurstville, New South Wales, Australia, 6 January 1924 |
| Home Town: | Strathfield, Strathfield, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Dentistry student |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Higgins Field, Queensland, Australia, North Queensland, Queensland, Australia, 5 May 1945, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia E.C.5., |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bamaga DC3 Aircraft Crash Memorial, Municipality of Strathfield WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 432183 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, Aircrew Training Units | |
| 5 Dec 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 432183 | |
| 5 Nov 1945: | Involvement Warrant Officer, RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Douglas C-49H (DC-3) VH-CXD / USAAF # 44-83228 was operated by Australian National Airways (A.N.A.) under charter for military purposes and utilising RAAF aircrew as required.
The aircraft was circling to land at Higgins Field in far north Queensland when it struck the top of a hill while landing in darkness. It crashed and the crew and passengers were incinerated.
RAAF Personnel of Number 4 Communications Unit, Archerfield - buried at Townsville War Cemetery:
Warrant Officer James Hillman Hornbrook 432183 (2nd pilot) - Son of Doctor John Hillman Hornbrook and Marjorie Lillian Hornbrook of Strathfield, NSW
Flight Sergeant Neville Tasman Browne 436542 (2nd pilot under instruction) - Son of Horace Stanley and Hilda Blanche Browne of Mount Lawley, WA
Warrant Officer Alfred Henry Gidley 415975 Wireless Operator (Aircraft) - Son of Alfred and Anne Gidley & Husband of Elizabeth Kelly Gidley of Wiluna, WA
William Ernest Clarke was an ANA Civilian pilot operating as a member of the RAAF Reserve (Civil Aircrew) - he was posthumously provided with the rank of Flying Officer and service number 277547
He was cremated at Mount Thompson Crematorium and his ashes were interred there - Son of Alice Henrietta Clarke & Husband of Sylvia Joan Clarke of Rose Bay, NSW
Also killed were Sergeant Henry E Doherty 32337697 & Corporal Rudolph M Kozen 16022995 of 322nd Troop Carrier Wing, US Military
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