O'CONNELL, John Bonaventure
| Service Number: | 425201 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 January 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 458 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Toowoomba Queensland Australia , 22 July 1915 |
| Home Town: | Southbrook, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Southbrook State School, Nudgee College, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Dairy Farmer |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Sardinia, Italy, 27 September 1944, aged 29 years |
| Cemetery: |
Cagliari (St. Michele) Communal Cemetery Cagliari Italy Plot 1. Row A. Grave 8. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Maryborough No. 3 Wireless Air Gunners' School Memorial Wall, Southbrook & District Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Warrant Officer, 425201 | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 425201 | |
| 31 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 425201 | |
| 27 Sep 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Warrant Officer, 425201, No. 458 Squadron (RAAF), Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Thomas Virgilius and Emily Georgina O'Connell, of Southbrook, Queensland, Australia.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
Advice has been received by Mrs. E. O'Connell, of Southbrook, that her son, Warrant-Oficer J.B. (Bon) O'Connell, has been seriously injured whilst engaged in air operations agains the enemy in the Mediteranian area.
The official advice received by Mrs. O'Connell states that when a Wellington-bomber, of, which Warrant-Officer O'Connell was a member of the crew, was returning from operations against the enemy, an undischarged bomb is believed to have exploded when the aircraft was landing at its base. Warrant-Officer O’Connell was admitted to an Australian field hospital suffering from serious second-degree burns to both hands and trunk, and severe shock.
They sympathy of residents of the district is expressed to the O'Connell family, with the hope that more favourable news will be received soon.
O'CONNELL.—In loving memory of Warrant Officer John Bonaventure O'Connell, who died of wounds September 27th, 1944, attached 458 Squadron. B.N.A.F., Overseas.
R.I.P.
Inserted by his loving Fiancee, Marie Morrison
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