BARNES, William Thomas

Plane was a Wellington BJ652 which took off from RAF Lichfield in Staffordshire on a night navigation exercise. The crew were training with OTU 27 preparatory to converting to four engined bombers. Towards the end of the exercise for reasons unknown the plane crashed into the side of the valley at Smerrill Grange killing all six crew on board.

Last Name
BARNES
Given Names
William Thomas
Service Number
30581
Date of Birth
09/08/1916
Birth Location
Kingscote S.A
Enlistment Date
29/08/1940
Enlistment Location
Hobart
1Wags Start Date
17/09/1942
Course Details
WAGS Course 30
Intake Date
17/09/1942
Finish Date
03/03/1943
To
3 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
21/01/1944 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
27 OTU
Rank
Flight Sergeant
Operations
Flying accident Peak District U.K
Date of Death
21/01/1944
Age
27
Cemetery / Memorial
Chester [Blacon] Cemetery U.K
Notes

Plane was a Wellington BJ652 which took off from RAF Lichfield in Staffordshire on a night navigation exercise. The crew were training with OTU 27 preparatory to converting to four engined bombers. Towards the end of the exercise for reasons unknown the plane crashed into the side of the valley at Smerrill Grange killing all six crew on board.

Posting on Death
27 Operational training unit
NAA Status
NOT YET EXAMINED
1WAGS - BARNES William Thomas - Service Number 30581  (emorial_edited-1)
1WAGS - BARNES William Thomas - Service Number 30581  (emorial_edited-1)
1WAGS - BARNES William Thomas - Service Number 30581  (rash site_edited-1)

Acknowledgements

National Archives of Australia - 1 WAGS BallaratUBC Web Design - 1 WAGS BallaratCity of Ballarat - 1 WAGS BallaratAPCO Alfredton - 1 WAGS BallaratDepartment of Veterans Affairs - 1 WAGS BallaratAustralian War Memorial - 1 WAGS BallaratRSL Virtual War Memorial - 1 WAGS Ballarat