KILLEN, Richard Lyle
| Service Number: | 402661 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 September 1940, Sydney, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAAF) |
| Born: | Forbes, New South Wales, Australia, 30 May 1920 |
| Home Town: | Carrathool, Carrathool, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Walaroi College Orange, Sydney Grammar School |
| Occupation: | Overseer |
| Died: | Flying Accident, Moray Firth, Scotland, Scotland, United Kingdom, 23 August 1941, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Kiltearn Parish Churchyard Sec. 1. Grave 55. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Griffith Cenotaph, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Orange Kinross Wolaroi School Old Boys WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 402661 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402661, Operational Training Units (RAAF), Sydney, NSW |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Edward Cecil Lyle Killen and Bessie Marie Killen, of Benerembah, New South Wales, Australia.
HE DIED FOR FREEDOM HONOUR HIS MEMORY
Sergeant Richard Lyle Killen 402661 was killed when Wellington R1622 of 20OTU was ditched roughly four miles out in the Moray Firth. The aircraft took off from RAF Lossiemouth detailed to carry out local night flying practice but due to incorrect flap settings the aircraft failed to climb and it grazed the top of a hangar leading to the ditching.
Sergeant Alan Thompson (Air Gunner) 1379144 RAF was also killed with Sergeant T H Bagnall (Captain - Pilot) RNZAF and Sergeant R F Lawrence RAF injured
The crewmen that were killed were buried in Kiltearn Parish Churchyard, Scotland
Enjoyed Football, Cricket, Tennis and Swimming.
Mr. E. C. L. Klllen, Warrawidgee Station, Benerembah, has received confirmation of the death of his son, Sergeant Pilot Richard Lyle Killen, due to the aircraft the crew of which he was a member, being forced down in the sea on the night of August 23. Two members of the crew were rescued, but Sergeant Pilot Killen and another went down with the machine which sank immediately. The bodies of the deceased were recovered, and were accorded an Air Force funeral on November 28 in Scotland.
Richard Lyle Killen, aged 21, son of Cr. E. Killen, of Warrawidgee Station. Sergt.-Pilot Killen did his preliminary training at Bradfleld and then went to Canada where he graduated as a Sergeant-Pilot. He arrived in England less than two months ago.
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