Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Beaufighter aircraft A19-77 from Number 5 Operational Training Unit crashed at Forest Hill in NSW killing Sergeant Moyle 418149 (Wagga Wagga War Cemetery) and Flight Lieutenant Edquist 406175 (Wagga Wagga General Cemetery)

Joseph Moyle was born on the 17th of September, 1922, at Tallangatta, Victoria. He was the youngest child of John Joseph and Mary Nichol (née Coulston) of Tallangatta and had five older siblings. Three of Joseph’s older brothers, John, Walter and Eric, would also enlist during the war. 

Joseph enlisted in the RAAF on Anzac Day, 1942. He was allocated the Service Number 418149. At the time, he was working as a bank clerk in North Fitzroy, Victoria.

No. 5 Operational Training Unit was formed at Wagga Wagga, NSW, in October of 1942. Its focus was to train pilots and navigators who had already formed up as a team in the operational techniques of flying Beaufighter and Beaufort aircraft.

On the 1st of July, 1943, Sergeant Joseph Moyle (navigator) and Flight Lieutenant John Edquist (pilot) took off from Forest Hill, NSW. They were flying a Beaufighter aircraft A19-77. The plane crashed and burned, killing both crew members. Both Joseph and John were buried in the Wagga Wagga General Cemetery.

Joseph is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour and the Tallangatta RSL War Memorial. For his service he was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal 1939-1945 and the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945.