MILNE, Francis Debenham
| Service Number: | 33516 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 August 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | 21 Base Wing |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 9 February 1917 |
| Home Town: | Bankstown, Bankstown, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not known |
| Occupation: | Railway Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, New Guinea, 26 November 1942, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Arlington National Cemetery Section 34, Collective Grave 4754, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 30 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 33516, Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 33516 | |
| 26 Nov 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 33516, 21 Base Wing | |
| 26 Nov 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 33516, 21 Base Wing, With 6 troop carrier squadron 1 Admin Wing USAAF at the time |
Help us honour Francis Debenham Milne's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Francis Debenham MILNE was born in Sydney on 9th February, 1917
His parents were Francis Rupert MILNE and Mignonette DEBENHAM
He enlisted in Sydney on 30th August, 1940
He married Nance May PICKELS in Temora, NSW in 1942
Francis died in a Flying Battle in New Guinea on 26th November, 1942 & is buried in Arlington National Cemetery - his name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial & the Roll of Honour in Brisbane, Queensland - he is the only Australian buried in that cemetery
See attached links for further details about his Service Details, Promotions & his Story
Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Contributed by Ian Gully
Pilot Officer Milne
Attached to 6 Transport Carrier Squadron, 1 Administration Wing, USAAF.
Buried Section 34, Coll. Grave 4754, Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, USA.
Was the co-pilot of a Douglas C-47 aircraft, nicknamed ‘Swamp Rat’, taking part in operations between Wanigela airfield and Dobodura airfield in New Guinea (near Popondetta). Shortly after take-off from Dobodura airfield bound for Wards Drome - 5-Mile (Port Moresby) the plane was intercepted, at low level, by Japanese Zero fighter aircraft and shot down. The C-47 was seen to burst into flames before hitting the ground. US ground troops reached the crash site and recovered some remains of crew.
In 1990 the remains of PO Milne and Technical Sergeant Joseph PAUL, USAAF, were discovered at the crash site. Both remains were unidentifiable separately. As a result both Milne and Paul were buried together in the same casket at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Click images to start slideshow.