SHEARMAN, Beresford Frederick
| Service Number: | 423181 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 January 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 43 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Lindfield, Sydney, Australia, 28 January 1923 |
| Home Town: | Orange, Orange Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Unregistered Pharmecutical Assistant |
| Died: | Accidental (Flying Accident), Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 7 September 1943, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia C.A.15. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Maryborough No. 3 Wireless Air Gunners' School Memorial Wall, Orange Cenotaph, Orange Holy Trinity Anglican Church B F SHEARMAN Memorial Window, Orange Sub-Branch Women's Auxiliary Honor Roll, Orange WW2 Supreme Sacrifice Honour Board |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 423181 | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units | |
| 20 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 423181 | |
| 7 Sep 1943: | Involvement Pilot Officer, No. 43 Squadron (RAAF) |
Help us honour Beresford Frederick Shearman's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
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).
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Stewart Frederick and Marie Millicent Shearman, of Orange, New South Wales.
Click images to start slideshow.