WEARNE, Douglas John
| Service Numbers: | V59454, 408544 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 July 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | Operational Training Units (RAF) |
| Born: | Minyip, Victoria, Australia , 13 February 1920 |
| Home Town: | Echuca, Campaspe, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Echuca High School |
| Occupation: | Bank Clerk - Union Bank Echuca |
| Died: | Accidental (plane crash), Silloth, England, United Kingdom, 4 January 1943, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Causewayhead Cemetery, Silloth, Cumbria, England Sec R grave 11 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Echuca War Memorial, Melbourne Union Bank of Australia Limited 'In Memoriam' WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Jul 1940: | Enlisted V59454 | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 408544, Melbourne, Victoria | |
| 26 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 408544 | |
| 4 Jan 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 408544, Operational Training Units (RAF), Empire Air Training Scheme, 1 Operational Training Unit (RAF) |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of William Charles and Irene S. Wearne, of Echuca, Victoria, Australia.
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE COUNTRY HE LOVED
He enjoyced tennis, golf, cricket and swimming.
Sergeant Pilot Douglas John Wearne, second son of Mr and Mrs W Wearne of Landsborough St, enlisted in 1941 and sailed that year to South Africa before going on to England. Douglas was killed while piloting a Hudson bomber in England on January 4, 1943, aged 22.
Late on Wednesday evening, Mr. W. C. Wearne received the sad intillegence that his son, Sergeant Douglas John Wearne of the.- R.A. A.F. had lost his life in an aircraft, accident at Silloth, Cumberland, last Monday.
The news came as a great shock to residents of Echuca, and the deepest sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs Wearne in the loss of their beloved son who having given, his life for King and Country, has gone to join that deathless army whose magnificent deeds will live on throughout the years to come. He was one of Echuca's outstanding young men and a favorite with all who knew him.\
Douglas John Wearne, who was 22 years of age, enlisted in July 1940, and was called up in April, 1941. Alter three months training at a Victorian R.A.A.F school he was chosen as a pilot and drafted to Southern Rhodesia to complete his training; he was presented with his wings in July, 1942. On completion of his training he was one of six chosen to do a special course is Astro Navigaton at George, South Africa. From there he went to England.
Born at Minyip, he come to Echuca in 1923 and was educated at the Echuca High School. In 1938 he entered the service of the Union Bank at Echuca. His brother Athol enlisted at the outbreak of war, served in England for more than six months, was then sent to Tobruk and was there for seven months before being relieved. He was transferred back to Australia and is now at a Northern Station.
Mr Wearne received further ad vice that his late son was to be buried yesterday at Causeway Head, Cemetery, Silloth.
In addition to the many, messages of condolence received by Mr and Mrs Wearne, the Air Board, Melbourne, has expressed its profound sympathy in their sad bereavement.
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