Robert John WORKMAN

Robert John WORKMAN Update Details

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WORKMAN, Robert John

Service Number:	NX18491
Enlisted:	29 May 1940
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion
Born:	Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, 17 May 1920
Home Town:	Ballina, Ballina, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Labourer
Died:	Injuries, New Guinea, 7 September 1943, aged 23 years
Cemetery:	Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea CWGC Grave No: Section C. Plot 1. Row F. Grave 13. Inscription: "EVERY DAY OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU HOW WE HOPE ONE DAY TO MEET YOU".
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

World War 2 Service

29 May 1940:	Enlisted Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion
29 May 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion
31 May 1941:	Involvement Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion, Syria - Operation Exporter
15 Sep 1942:	Involvement Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion, Kokoda - Papua
23 Nov 1942:	Involvement Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion, Buna / Gona / Sanananda "The Battle of the Beachheads" - Papua
7 Sep 1943:	Involvement Private, NX18491, 2nd/33rd Infantry Battalion, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns

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Biography contributed by Stephen Bonald

On Tuesday, September 7th, 1943, at Jackson Field in Port Moresby, New Guinea, a B-24D Liberator bomber (The Pride of the Cornhuskers) from the 403rd Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bombing Group USAAF, crashed during take-off, likely due to pilot disorientation in the dark where the aircraft was unable to gain height. The aircraft hit trees and slammed into a convoy of trucks carrying over 130 soldiers from D Company, 2/33 Infantry Battalion of the Australian Army, who were waiting to board C-47 transport planes to move to the front lines. The bomber’s 500-pound bombs and 2,800 gallons of fuel exploded, killing 15 Australian soldiers instantly and severely injuring 47 more, who later died. Another 90 soldiers were wounded but survived, all 11 crew members aboard the bomber (The Pride of the Cornhuskers) were killed. Private Robert John Workman – NX18491, was one of the 15 Australian Military personnel killed on impact.

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