Ronald Keith PITCHFORD

PITCHFORD, Ronald Keith

Service Numbers: 410850, V47293
Enlisted: 13 August 1940
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: Operational Base Units (RAAF)
Born: Canterbury, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 July 1915
Home Town: Canterbury, Boroondara, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Not yet discovered
Died: Accidental (Aircraft accident), Springsure, Queensland, Australia, 16 November 1943, aged 28 years
Cemetery: North Rockhampton Cemetery, Qld
Plot A. Row A. Grave 9, Rockhampton War Cemetery, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Sergeant, 410850
13 Aug 1940: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, V47293
27 Feb 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units
27 Feb 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 410850
16 Nov 1943: Involvement Sergeant, Operational Base Units (RAAF)

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Biography contributed by David Barlow

Sergeant Ronald Keith Pitchford (410850) of 55OBU

Son of Edwin and Edith Pitchford

Husband of Beryl Joan Pitchford of Hawthorn, Victoria

 

USAAC Dakota C-47A (C-47-20-DL, VH-CGK, #42-23420 possibly named Pushy Cat) of the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron of the 374th Troop Carrier Group left Batchelor airfield headed for Archerfield airfield in Brisbane. The aircraft broke up in mid-air during a violent storm over Rewan Station south of Springsure in Queensland killing all on board:

USAAC (Crew):

2nd Lieutenant Raymond E. Anglin (Pilot) (0-665501)

2nd Lieutenant Joseph W. Kennedy (Co-pilot) (0-680036)

Sergeant Frank J. Ropinski (Aerial Engineer)

Sergeant Harold L. Baumstein (Radio Operator)

Sergeant Robert L. Adkins (passenger)

 

Australian Army (passengers):

Lieutenant Harley Horace Lockie (NX151680)

Lieutenant Ross Rowsell (NX107453)

Sergeant Victor Frederick Bishop (NX82074)

Sergeant Thomas William Davey (VX69200)

Sergeant William Joseph Parker (NX133213)

Gunner William Howard Dorman (QX24775)

Private Andrew Henry Mildren (QX52001)

 

Royal Australian Air Force (passengers):

Flight Lieutenant Roy Edgar Abbot (264204)

Flight Lieutenant Albert Ernest Watkin (405265)

Sergeant Ronald Keith Pitchford (410850)

Corporal William Brady (35720)

Corporal Francis Paul Morris (71310)

LAC John Given Maxwell (21638)

LAC Stanley Kirk Sims (28071) 452 Sqn

 

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