Philip William MATTHEWS

Philip William MATTHEWS Update Details

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MATTHEWS, Philip William

Service Number:	406080
Enlisted:	18 July 1940
Last Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit:	No. 23 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	Boulder, Western Australia, 2 November 1916
Home Town:	Nedlands, Nedlands, Western Australia
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Died:	Accidental (Aircraft accident), Philippines, 9 April 1946, aged 29 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 406080
18 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 406080, Aircrew Training Units
18 Jul 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406080
9 Apr 1946:	Involvement Flight Lieutenant, No. 23 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45

Help us honour Philip William Matthews's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Flight Lieutenant Philip William Matthews 406080 was killed when RAAF 23SQN B24 Liberator A72-348 crashed into the sea south of Zamboanga off Mindanao, Phillipines - his body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Labuan Memorial

The only other fatality from the 10 passengers and crew on board was an Australian who held a US Army commission in the Small Ships fleet - Captain J. Potter (NFI)

Two RAAF members were seriously injured but recovered -

Warrant Officer Colin James McKenzie 422241 (discharged from the RAAF in June 1947)

Corporal Edgar Edric Pye 34387 (discharged from the RAAF in December 1947)

The other 5 RAAF personnel on board plus another Australian Small Ships officer escaped without serious injury -

Wing Commander Handbury 395 AFC (Air Force Cross) (discharged from the RAAF in July 1971 - Group Captain O381)

Warrant Officer Nesbitt 433943 (discharged from the RAAF in March 1948)

Warrant Officer Smith 19667 (discharged from the RAAF in February 1948)

Warrant Officer Welsh 410769 (discharged from the RAAF in February 1948)

Flight Sergeant Norton 39721 (discharged from the RAAF in October 1946

Captain A. S. McFadden (NFI)

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia