TOTTENHAM, Anthony Bowen Loftus
| Service Number: | 418209 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 April 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | No. 463 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Kirkwood, South Africa, 11 September 1923 |
| Home Town: | Balmoral, Southern Grampians, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Jackeroo |
| Died: | Flying Battle, France, 26 September 1944, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
Wissant Communal Cemetery Collective Grave 3 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Balmoral War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 418209, No. 463 Squadron (RAAF) | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Melbourne, Victoria | |
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 418209 |
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RUST NOT THE SWORD OF HIS GLORY WITH YOUR TEARS
His parents were William Loftus TOTTENHAM and Veronica Mary Elizabeth BOWEN
He enlisted on 25th April, 1942 with the Royal Australian Air Force - he was a Flight Lieutenant in the 463 Squadron.
Anthony was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 14th November, 1944
Citation - Distinguished Flying Cross:
Flying Officer Tottenham has shown himself an able and courageous pilot and captain of aircraft whose many sorties on the most heavily defended and distant targets in Germany have been accomplished with determination and fine airmanship. On one occasion in August, 1944 when detailed to attack a harbour at Brest, his bomb aimer was wounded and the aircraft severaly damaged by anti -aircraft fire, but undeterred by the enemy attack, Flying Officer Tottenham completed the mission.
He was Killed in Action on 26th September, 1944 and is buried in Wissant Communal Cemetery, Grave Reference - Coll. grave 3
He is also commemorated on the Australian War memorial
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"Anthony Bowen Loftus TOTTENHAM (1923-1944) joined the RAAF in Australia in early 1942 & graduated to a Pilot. He was posted to England on 24th May, 1944, where he served in 463 and 467 Squadron Bomber Command Base at Waddington. He flew Lancaster Bomber Aircraft as Pilot and Captain during his 34 tours of duty, which included commanding "S for Sugar". He then volunteered for target photography work and was shot down and kiled on the 26th September, 1944. He was poshumously awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) for gallantry in air operation after he brought his Lancaster Bomber, seriously damaged, back from a raid on Brest. "S for Sugar" is now housed in the Royal Airforce Museum at Hendon, London and his has P/O Tottenham, DFC printed on the outer port engine nacelle. The names of the three other aircrew are printed on the other engine nacelles." - SOURCE (www.tottenham.name)
His brother Nicholas Tottenham enlisted in 2/2 Australian Pioneers Battalion and was a held as POW in Java by the Japanese. Returned to Australia.
Biography contributed by Vicki Owens
Anthony and Nicholas Tottenham arrived in Australia in 1939 aged 15 and 17 years. Occupation given as students. Worked as jackaroos.
Address prior arrival was Tudenham Park, Mulligar, Westmead, Ireland. Their father was listed as a farmer there.
Father Harold William Loftus born 1889 was a Major with Royal Norfolk Regiment was a Prisoner of War after being captured in Singapore in 1942.
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