ELSBURY, Alexander Eric John

Previous service Western Command Ordnance Depot Coy. Plane was a Catalina A24-25 from No. 11 Sqd. which failed to return from an anti-submarine patrol off Cairns to protect a convoy. It is believed the Catalina crashed into the sea N.E of Green Island Qld. Eleven crew were lost. After 70 years the wreck of the Catalina was found under the sea south of Cairns.

Last Name
ELSBURY
Given Names
Alexander Eric John
Service Number
415378
Date of Birth
11/12/1920
Birth Location
Boulder City W.A
Enlistment Date
09/10/1941
Enlistment Location
Perth
1Wags Start Date
11/12/1941
Course Details
WAGS Course 21
Intake Date
11/12/1941
Finish Date
29/06/1942
To
3 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
28/02/1943 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
11 SQN
Rank
Sergeant
Operations
Aircraft accident seaward off Cairns QLD.
Date of Death
28/02/1943
Age
22
Cemetery / Memorial
Port Moresby Memorial
Medals
AIr Gunners badge 1939-45 Pacific War medal
Notes

Previous service Western Command Ordnance Depot Coy. Plane was a Catalina A24-25 from No. 11 Sqd. which failed to return from an anti-submarine patrol off Cairns to protect a convoy. It is believed the Catalina crashed into the sea N.E of Green Island Qld. Eleven crew were lost. After 70 years the wreck of the Catalina was found under the sea south of Cairns.

Posting on Death
11 Squadron
NAA Status
DIGITIZED
1WAGS - ELSBURY Alexander Eric John - Service Number 415378 (edited-2)
1WAGS - ELSBURY Alexander Eric John - Service Number 415378 (Plane Wreck_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