WILMSHURST, Kenneth Charles
| Service Number: | 28787 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 February 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 200 Flight (RAAF) |
| Born: | Jamestown, South Australia, Australia, 31 December 1914 |
| Home Town: | Goodwood, Unley, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk, Vacuum Oil Company Pty Ltd |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Borneo, 25 March 1945, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Panel 32. Labuan Memorial, Labuan, Malaysia. |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Gladstone Town Hall WW2 Roll of Honour, Jamestown Methodist Church WW2 Roll of Honour, Jamestown and District WW2 Honour Roll, Labuan Memorial, Labuan Federal Territory, Malaysia, Nar Nar Goon Vacuum Oil Company Pty Ltd. Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 28787 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 28787 | |
| 1 Jun 1941: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 1 Engineering School Ascot Vale | |
| 20 Sep 1941: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 6 Service Flying Training School Mallala | |
| 1 Mar 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman | |
| 28 Jul 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 1 Engineering School Ascot Vale | |
| 15 Oct 1942: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 7 Aircraft Depot Tocumwal | |
| 25 Mar 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbor | |
| 3 Aug 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School Western Junction | |
| 28 Oct 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School West Sale | |
| 27 Dec 1944: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, No. 7 Operational Training Unit RAAF Tocumwal | |
| 16 Feb 1945: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 22 Feb 1945: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, No. 200 Flight (RAAF) | |
| 24 Mar 1945: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 28787, No. 200 Flight (RAAF), Participated in a mission to drop Z Special Unit personnel and supplies into Borneo. The operation was successful, but communication was lost shortly after, leading to the aircraft's disappearance. | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Kenneth Charles Wilmshurst's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Thomas More College
Kenneth Charles Wilmshurst was born on December 31, 1914, in the small town of Jamestown, South Australia. He grew up with his parents, Arthur Escott Wilmshurst and his wife, Mrs. Florence Amelia Wilmshurst, living at 314 Henley Beach Road, Henley Beach. Kenneth pursued a career as a clerk at the Vacuum Oil Company before his life took a dramatic turn with the onset of World War II.
On February 18, 1941, Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), ready to serve his country in its time of need. As a young man of determination and courage, he quickly rose through the ranks, and by 1945 he had become a Sergeant, serving as an engineer in No. 200 Flight of the RAAF.
On March 25, 1945, at just 30 years old, Kenneth's life was tragically cut short during a flying battle off the coast of Borneo. His aircraft, a Liberator A72-191, went missing while on an offensive sweep, and despite exhaustive search efforts, the wreckage was never found. His role as an engineer on the mission was crucial, and he served alongside Squadron Leader Pockley, who piloted the aircraft. The last sighting of the plane was 200 miles from its base, and the mission they were returning from had been successfully completed. However, Kenneth and his crew were never seen again. A sighting of three oil streaks near Balambangan Island was the only possible trace of the missing aircraft.
Kenneth’s loss was officially confirmed on July 28, 1945, when he was presumed dead. His body was never recovered, and although he has no official grave, his name is commemorated on Panel 32 of the Labuan Memorial in Malaysia and on Panel 111 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, ensuring that his service and sacrifice are remembered for generations to come.
Despite his young age, Kenneth had already made significant plans for the future. He was engaged to Ms. Lynch, but their dreams of a life together were tragically cut short by the war. His father, Arthur, who was his next of kin, received the heart-wrenching news and handled the legal and personal matters that followed, including communication with the RAAF about Kenneth's disappearance and his postmortem honours.
For years after the war, Kenneth's family, including his mother and sister, sought closure. His mother, reached out to other grieving families, while his sister, Mrs. Hunter, petitioned to have his name inscribed on memorials to honour his service. Their efforts ensured that Kenneth's legacy lived on, even as his final resting place remained unknown.
Kenneth Charles Wilmshurst's life, though brief, was marked by a deep sense of duty, courage, and sacrifice. He remains one of the countless heroes who gave their lives in service to their country, remembered for his bravery and the ultimate price he paid in the fight for freedom.
Bibliography
Commonwealth War Graves 2021, Sergeant Kenneth Charles Wilmshurst | War Casualty Details 2144382 | CWGC, CWGC, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2144382/kenneth-charles-wilmshurst/>. (www.cwgc.org)
Genge 2024, DVA’s Nominal Rolls, Dva.gov.au, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=1289391&c=WW2>. (nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au)
NAA: A705, 166/43/1268 2024, Naa.gov.au, National Archives of Australia, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1083199>. (recordsearch.naa.gov.au)
Sergeant K C WILMSHURST (28787), Royal Australian Air Force) [Royal Air Force WW2 Casualty ] 2013, RAFCommands, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://www.rafcommands.com/database/wardead/details.php?qnum=49605>. (staging.aviationmuseumwa.org.au)
Sergeant Kenneth Charles Wilmshurst 2024, Awm.gov.au, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10318654>. (www.awm.gov.au)
WILMSHURST Kenneth Charles 28787 – Aviation Heritage Museum 2024, Aviationmuseumwa.org.au, viewed 19 September 2024, <https://staging.aviationmuseumwa.org.au/afcraaf-roll/wilmshurst-kenneth-charles-28787/>. (staging.aviationmuseumwa.org.au)