THEWLIS, Neale McKissock
| Service Number: | 418989 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 June 1942, Melbourne |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
| Born: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 8 January 1923 |
| Home Town: | Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Accidental, New Guinea, 29 January 1945, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lae War Cemetery Plot NN, Row C, Grave 5 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Geelong Yarra Street Methodist Church 1939-1945 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 418989 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 418989, Melbourne | |
| 20 Jun 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2) | |
| 12 Sep 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman | |
| 22 Apr 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer | |
| 22 Oct 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer | |
| 29 Jan 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 418989, RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units, Madang |
Help us honour Neale McKissock Thewlis's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Neale McKissock THEWLIS was born on 8th January 1923 in Geelong, Victoria
His parents were Milton THEWLIS and Ethel May McKISSOCK who married in 1919 in Victoria
He enlisted on 20th June 1942 in Melbourne with the RAAF (Aircrew V) and trained at the No. 29 course at 7 Elementary Flying Traning School at Western Junction, Tasmania
Neale was posted as missing on a non operational flight on 29th January, 1945 from Milne Bay to Madang - he was the Pilot of a Beauford Bomber Mark VII Serial No. A9 -106
The accident site was not found until January 1997 & the remains of the crew were then buried in Lae War Cemetery with Full Military Honours
His name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial and also the Honour board of the Faculty of Actuaries (see link) & the Roll of Honour at Newtown, Geelong
He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-45 & Australia Service Medal 1939-45 - he was also given his Flying Badge (Wings) on 21st April, 1942
Neals brother Brian Jacob THEWLIS (SN430069) also served in the RAAF
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Article from the Herald Sun Newpaper on 31st July, 1997 page 15
HONOURS FOR LOST AIRMEN by Michelle Pountney
Four Victorian World War II Airmen who disappeared during a flight over Papua New Guinea 52 years ago, will be buried today with full military honours
The airmen, aged 21 to 44 were listed missing in action after their Beauford bomber went down during a flight from Milne Bay to their base at Madang, 500 km north west of Port Moresby, on January 29, 1945
The aircraft was found in January in thick jungle on top of a mountain near Wagau Village, 20 km south west of Lae
Flying Officer Neale McKissock Thewlis of South Yarra, Sergeant Frank Tranter Burgess of Coburg and Aircraftmen William Bertram Luck of Moorabbin & James Henry Albert Smith of Eaglehawk were on the flight with Flying Officer John Garvey Thompson and Sergeant John Austin Standing from NSW and Flight Sgt Maxwell James Hewett of South Australia
Many of the mens relatives have been flown to Lae on an RAAF Hercules to attend the military funeral at the Commonwealth War Cemetery
Click images to start slideshow.