Byron Veitch MACLEAN BEM

Byron Veitch MACLEAN BEM Update Details

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MACLEAN, Byron Veitch

Service Number:	414053
Enlisted:	20 July 1941
Last Rank:	Flight Sergeant
Last Unit:	No. 8 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 2 April 1921
Home Town:	Baralaba, Banana, Queensland
Schooling:	Baralaba State School / Scot's College Warwick, Queensland, Australia
Occupation:	Jackeroo (Wongaroo Station, Queensland)
Died:	Flying Battle, Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, 15 November 1943, aged 22 years
Cemetery:	Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea (CWGC) Grave Reference, Location ~ Plot W. Row B. Grave 6. Personal Inscription ~ "HE GAVE THE LIFE HE TREASURED SO OTHERS MAY BE FREE".
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Baralaba & District Honour Board

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flight Sergeant, 414053
20 Jul 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force
20 Jul 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 414053
3 May 1943:	Honoured British Empire Medal
15 Nov 1943:	Involvement No. 8 Squadron (RAAF)

Help us honour Byron Veitch Maclean's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Sergeant Bryon Veitch MacLean BEM 414053 was Killed in Action over Rabaul with 8 Squadron

In May 1943 he survived the crash of 8SQN Beaufort A9-258 at Canberra Aerodrome which killed Sergeant (Pilot) Leonard Grist 415138 & Flying Officer (Observer) Owens McAlister Howden 408845

The aircraft overshot the runway whilst attempting a forced landing due to engine failure. A re-take-off was attempted but the aircraft stalled, crashed and burnt. Sergeant MacLean and Sergeant Daly 405903 were awarded with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their actions following the crash in rescuing a crewmate from the blazing wreckage (Corporal George Leonard Morris 19803 - discharged 20 Nov 1945 from Number 1 Operational Training Unit)

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