SYKES, Geoffrey Charles
| Service Number: | 418203 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 April 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots |
| Born: | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, 4 April 1920 |
| Home Town: | Swan Hill, Swan Hill, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental (Aircraft accident), Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia, 23 March 1944, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Charters Towers Cemetery, Qld Plot A. Row B. Grave 5, Charters Towers War Cemetery, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nyah Memorial Gates, Swan Hill War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 418203 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units | |
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 418203 | |
| 23 Mar 1944: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, Aircraft / Repair / Salvage Depots |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of John Wilmot Sykes and Mary Bell Stuart Sykes of Haysdale, Victoria
RAAF Beaufort Mark VIII A9-452 departed from Number 13 Aircraft Repair Depot (13ARD) at Breddan airfield on a transit flight to Number 6 Aircraft Depot (6AD) at Amberley
The aircraft crashed amongst some trees 5 miles SE of Fanning airfield after the starboard engine developed a severe vibration and caught fire whilst in flight. The pilot was unable to feather the starboard airscrew and could not maintain altitude.
The five RAAF personnel on board were located in the vicinity of the wreckage, all suffering from severe burns. They were transported by RAAF tender to 116th Australian General Hospital in Charters Towers. Flight Lieutenant Campbell, the Medical officer of 13ARD, met up with them en-route to the hospital.
The aircraft’s pilot was Pilot Officer Donald William Ferguson 416943 of Number 2 Aircraft Park - he was seriously injured and died on 22 March 1944, the day after the crash
13ARD General Hand LAC William Glen Cadd 140268 was a passenger on the aircraft. He was seriously injured and also died on 22 March 1944
Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Charles Sykes 418203 was a Navigator on board as a passenger - he was seriously injured and died from his injuries on 23 March 1944
Survivors:
The aircraft’s Navigator - Flight Sergeant John Neil Wise 408494 - was seriously injured but recovered; discharged in May 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer
Flight Sergeant Roy Herbert Williamson 413920 was a Pilot on board as a Passenger, he was slightly injured - discharged in February 1946 with the rank of Flying Officer
Click images to start slideshow.