RATCLIFFE, Charles Harry
| Service Number: | 119559 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 October 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | HQ North Eastern Area Command (RAAF) |
| Born: | Leicester, England, 24 January 1900 |
| Home Town: | Brighton-Le-Sands, Rockdale, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental (Aircraft accident), Cleveland Bay, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Cleveland Bay, Queensland, Australia, 7 September 1943, aged 43 years |
| Cemetery: |
Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia C.A.10., Townsville War Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 119559 | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, RAAF Ground Training Schools | |
| 12 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 119559 | |
| 7 Sep 1943: | Involvement Flying Officer, HQ North Eastern Area Command (RAAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Catalina A24-52 of Number 11 Squadron (original USN Serial No 08335) crashed in Cleveland Bay at Townsville while attempting to land in rough conditions. After touching down it travelled a short distance before it struck a large wave and sank by the bow. Thirteen of the nineteen RAAF passengers and crew were killed:
FLTLT Charles John Miles (Captain) 405317 - Husband of Patricia Betty Miles of Colac, Victoria
FLTLT William John Canterbury (2nd Pilot) 400037 - Son of Thomas and Winnifred Lillian Canterbury of Dandenong, Victoria
Flying Officer Ronald Irvine Ferguson (3rd Pilot) 402496 - Son of Robert Joseph and Florence Jane Ferguson of Northbridge, NSW
Flying Officer Gordon John Robert Hockey (Navigator) 411089 - Son of Reuben and Alice Elizabeth Hockey & Husband of Phillis Edna Hockey of Armidale, NSW
Flying Officer Reginald Albert Weeks (WO/AG) 420317 - Son of John Thomas Weeks and Ellen Louisa Weeks of Maroubra, NSW
Flight Sergeant Bernard Victor McInerney (WO/AG) 420585 - Son of John Thomas McInerney and Ellen McInerney of Albion Park, NSW
Corporal William Richard George Lobb (Fitter 11E - ground crewman) 61254 - Son of Richard Joseph and Florence Maud Lobb of Ultimo, NSW
SQNLDR Leo Mathew Hogan 281940 Mention in Despatches (MiD) (passenger) - Son of Mr and Mrs M. J. Hogan & Husband of Constance Edna Marie Hogan (nee Richards) of Townsville, Queensland
Flying Officer Charles Harry Ratcliffe 119559 (passenger - Personal Assistant to Air Commodore Cobby) - Son of William Harry and Lydia Ratcliffe & Husband of Stella Esme Ratcliffe of Kogarah, NSW
SQNLDR John Vernon Angus 252693 (passenger) - Son of William James Angus and Sydney Angus of Prospect, SA & Husband of Kathleen Angus of Adelaide, SA
FLTLT Frank Haighton Lord 252297 (from Number 6 Medical Receiving Station - Merauke) - Son of Doctor Percy Oswald Lord and Francisca Frederica Lord & Husband of Margaret Ethel Lord of South Caulfield, Victoria
FLTLT William Archie Wilkinson 3418 (Airman # 1300) (passenger from Number 12 Signals Unit) - Son of William and Mary Jane Wilkinson & Husband of Cornelia Elizabeth Wilkinson of Albert Park, Victoria
Pilot Officer Beresford Frederick Shearman 423181 (passenger from 43 Squadron) - Son of Stewart Frederick and Marie Millicent Shearman of Orange, NSW
Crash Survivors (all survived war):
Wing Commander Willem Lodewyk Bosschart Stephens 1175
Sergeant Maxwell Burnett Dore 23699 (Fitter 11E - ground crewman)
Corporal Ronald Colin Smith 22211 (Fitter 11A - ground crewman)
Corporal Albert Leslie Fowler 62546 (Armourer - ground crewman) - awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his actions following this crash
Wing Commander Bruce Panton MacFarlan 26010 - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby (post-WW2 Service Number O251334) Commander of the Order of the British Empire; received the George Medal for his efforts in saving others following this crash. He was the Air Officer Commanding North Eastern Area for much of WW2. Served in WW1 as a Captain with the Australian Flying Corps where he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross 3 times (DFC & 2 bars) and a Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
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