MARKS, John Henry
| Service Number: | 33898 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 September 1940, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 11 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia , 19 October 1921 |
| Home Town: | Fassifern, Lake Macquarie Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Newcastle Technical College, Hunter Street Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer, Rifands Bros, Newcastle. |
| Died: | Flying Accident, Kavieng, New Ireland, New Guinea, 15 January 1942, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea Plot B. Row C. Grave 9. Inscription: "LOVED SON OF MR. & MRS. J. MARKS OF FENNELL BAY, N.S.W... S'LANG" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Catalina War Memorial (Rathmines R.A.A.F Memorial) |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 33898, 2 Recruit Depot (RAAF), Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jun 1941: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 13 Dec 1941: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 15 Jan 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 33898, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF), Killed In Action -- Flying Accident (Bomb exploded on take-off) -- Catalina A24-11 -- Nusa Harbour, Kavieng, New Ireland, New Guinea |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Bonald
Extract from Gillison, D.N. (Douglas Napier) (254475) Royal Australian Air Force 1939-1942, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 1962 – Page 321
The Catalinas of Nos. 11 and 20 Squadrons were now called on to attempt an attack on the Truk base. The pilots chosen for the operation were Squadron Leader Price (1), Squadron Leader Davies, Flight Lieutenant Hemsworth (260275), Flight Lieutenant Thompson (2), Flight Lieutenant Beaumont (260), and Lieutenant G. H. Hutchinson (3) of the United States Navy, then serving with No. 11 Squadron. On 15th January, Davies, Hutchinson and Beaumont took their aircraft to Kavieng for refuelling while the other three went to Lorengau. In taking off from Kavieng the Catalina piloted by Davies crashed. All the crew and the aircraft were lost. Hutchinson brought his aircraft down at the scene of the crash in a vain attempt to rescue the crew.
(1) Wing Commander Thomas MacBride Price (172) was discharged from the RAAF on 23 March 1945.
(2) Wing Commander Charles Frederick Thompson DFC (260286) was discharged from the RAAF on 5 October 1945.
(3) Lieutenant Hutchinson was the Captain of Catalina A24-9 (Pilot Officer Thomas Nicoll Rowe (400293) (Second Pilot)) shot down on 21 January 1942.
The crew members of A24-11 were:
Leading Aircraftman Frederick Henry Anthony (11085) (Wireless Operator)
Squadron Leader Thomas Henry Davies MID (163) (Pilot)
Flying Officer Russell Glentworth Hender (406105) (Second Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Leslie Thomas Hoare (20549) (Flight Mechanic)
Corporal Henry Wilmot Hornby (7118) (Fitter II Airframe)
Leading Aircraftman John Henry Marks (33898) (Fitter Armourer)
Leading Aircraftman Charles Ogilvie (32081) (Fitter II Airframe)
Leading Aircraftman Brian Charles James Wilcox (8137) (Wireless Operator)
Click images to start slideshow.