Hugh John MCCLEAN

MCCLEAN, Hugh John

Service Number: NX151913
Enlisted: 2 February 1943
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: Moresby Fixed Defences
Born: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 3 April 1913
Home Town: Thornleigh, Hornsby Shire, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Accidental (Aircraft accident), Monto, Queensland Australia, 21 November 1943, aged 30 years
Cemetery: Bundaberg General Cemetery, Queensland
Plot A Row B Collective Grave 1 - 5 / 10 - 16, Bundaberg General Cemetery, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
Show Relationships

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement NX151913
2 Feb 1943: Enlisted Sergeant, NX151913, Moresby Fixed Defences
2 Feb 1943: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, NX151913

Help us honour Hugh John McClean's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Son of George and Dorcas Jessie McClean of Thornleigh, NSW

Five Australian Army soldiers were travelling as passengers on Dakota C-47-DL, #41-18648, call sign VH-CGC "Star Duster" of the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Transport Group, USAAF when it was posted as missing.

The aircraft was lost on its final leg from Ward's airfield in New Guinea to Archerfield. It took on cargo in Townsville and mail in Rockhampton. After leaving Rockhampton the aircraft disappeared without trace. The wreckage was located in June 1948 in the Monto area, 65 miles west of Bundaberg

 

The American crew consisted of: 1st Lt Victor N Gibson, pilot / 2nd Lt Michael L Reitman, co-pilot / S/Sgt Everett L Ahmann, aerial engineer / Cpl John F Guigo (or Guigno), radio operator

 

American passengers were Technician 5th Grade Albert E. Peglow & T/Sgt T.G. Cucciaro

 

Australian Army Passengers:

Sergeant Hugh John McClean NX151913 of Australian Headquarters Moresby Base Sub Area

Sergeant Philip Ernest Nicholls SX6040 of Australian Army Pay Corps - 1 Corps Field Cash office / QLD L of C Accounts Office

Gunner Thomas Layton Vinecombe VX37247 of 2/3rd Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment / 2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment

Sergeant Jack Ernest Kerr NX125184 of 165th General Transport Company, Australian Army Service Corps

Sergeant Albert William Lawrence WX16521 of 2/4th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RAA

 

RAAF passengers:

Flying Officer Frank McLaurin Bartlett 265197 of 25 Operational Base Unit

Leading Aircraftman Hector Richard Hore 126243 of 20 Squadron

Read more...