Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born  13 April 1918, Narrogin, Western Australia

Father Pultney Malcolm Shannon and Mother Eva Johnson Shannon,
living at Nomans Lake, Narrogin, Western Australia

Described on enlisting as 22 yrs 7mths old; single;
Presbyterian

23/6/1941     enlisted in Royal Australian Air Force at Perth, WA

6/3/1942       awarded "Flying Badge"

13/4/1942     promoted to Pilot Officer

30/4/1942     appointed Pilot Officer in RAAF

16/6/1942     embarked from Australia
                    with 3 PRC
24/8/1942     disembarked into England

11/9/1942     15 (P) Autralian Flying Unit

30/10/1942   appointed Temporary Flying Officer

10/11/1942   24 OTU

27/4/1943     1663 C U

4/6/1943       posted to 76th Squadron

1/7/1943       promoted to Flight Lieutenant in 76 Squadron

17/8/1943     London Gazette - awarded "Distinguished Flying Cross"
                    - for night attack on Essen in July 1943

10/8/1943     killed in flying crash -
                    on returning from air battle at Aubengues, Wimeraux, France

Squadron Leader, for King Commander, Commander No.76 Squadron RAF Station, Yorks stated:

"Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon was beyond doubt, one of the best of the
 Pilots we have on the Squadron.  His courage and efficiency were unquestionable, and
 he had only very recently received the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying
 Cross (DFC)  He was a gallant member of a very gallant crew.  I know that if it were
 within human power he and the whole crew were able to deal with the emergency,
 whatever it was.  He will be sadly missed in the Mess and on the Squadron."

23/4/1947     RAAF stated in writing to mother:

                    A report received from the 'Missing Research and Enquiry United,
                    operating in France, and based on investigations made at the scene
                    of the crash and interviews with local inhabitants states:

                    "Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon's aircraft (Halifax LK892) crashed,
                     after being hit by German anti-aircraft fire, at Aubegues, which is 5 miles due north
                     of Boulonge, France, at approximately 3.50am, on 10th August 1943.
                     The aircraft was returning from an attack on a target at Mannheim.
                    
                     The nature of the crash was such, that identification of only one member
                     of the crew, Sergeant Dobson, of the Royal Air Force, could be established.
                     (the plane on crashing, burned furiously for some hours.  All crew were
                      burned with the exception of one airman, whose skull was fractured and he
                      died on the spot - 119601 Sgt J Dodson - the rear gunner).

                     The crew are buried communally in Graves 360 to 363 of the Boulogne
                     Cemetery.  A temporary cross bearing the names and service particulars
                     of Flight Lieutenant Colin McTaggart Shannon and his comrades have been
                     erected over the graves.   At a later date this cross will be replaced by a
                     permanent headstone."

These Members were buried on 12/8/1943  in the communal grave:-
415055     Flight Lieutenant  Colin McTaggart Shannon (Pilot)
655439     Sergeant T Buchan (A/B)
113498     Flight Officer G A Turner (Navigator)
132386     Flight Officer W C Ellis (Wireless Operator)
928040     Sergeant J Smith (M.U.G.)
1436208   Sergeant F Walton (Flight Engineer)
1129601   Sergeant J Dodson (Rear Gunner)

21/5/1952     Imperial War Grave Commission stated:-
                    "The Head office of the Commission in London informed that owing
                    to the fact that it was not possible to secure rights of perpetuity for
                    the grave of Collin's grave in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery,
                    Plot 37; Row 4; Grave 360-363, also those of Royal Air Force members
                    as sited.
                    These graves have been transferred to another site in this cemetery,
                    generously placed at the disposal of the commission by the French
                    Authorities, where perpetual maintenance is assured."

new burial:     Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, Nord Pas de Calais, France
                     Plot X; Row A; Grave 4-9 (collective)

His name is located at Panel 130 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  18/6/2016.  Lest we forget.