FORGAN, William Wallace

Plane was a Wellington RI785 of 458 Sqd. RAAF which took off from the Holme on Spalding Moor air base in East Yorkshire. The operation was to join 30 other bombers to bomb the port of Cherboug in occupied France. The plane disappeared and 66 years later researchers discovered a ring with the initials WWF at the crash site of the Breul farm, Colomby in Normandy. The ring belonged to William Wallace Forgan confirming the crash site. Photos and story courtesy of Rob Forgan nephew.

Last Name
FORGAN
Given Names
William Wallace
Service Number
407639
Date of Birth
05/01/1920
Birth Location
Crystal Brook S.A
Enlistment Date
07/12/1940
Enlistment Location
Adelaide
1Wags Start Date
06/02/1941
Course Details
WAGS Course 10
Intake Date
06/02/1941
Finish Date
02/06/1941
To
1BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
08/01/1942 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
458 SQN
Rank
Sergeant
Operations
Flying battle, Cherbourg France.
Date of Death
08/01/1942
Age
22
Cemetery / Memorial
Cherbourg Old Communal Cemetery France
Notes

Plane was a Wellington RI785 of 458 Sqd. RAAF which took off from the Holme on Spalding Moor air base in East Yorkshire. The operation was to join 30 other bombers to bomb the port of Cherboug in occupied France. The plane disappeared and 66 years later researchers discovered a ring with the initials WWF at the crash site of the Breul farm, Colomby in Normandy. The ring belonged to William Wallace Forgan confirming the crash site. Photos and story courtesy of Rob Forgan nephew.

Posting on Death
458 Squadron RAAF
NAA Status
DIGITIZED
1 WAGS FORGAN William Wallace - 407639 Portrait
1 WAGS FORGAN William Wallace - 407639 Portrait
1 WAGS FORGAN William Wallace - 407639 Crew 458 Sqn L to R Forgan 6th
1 WAGS FORGAN William Wallace - 407639 Casualty Letter
1 WAGS FORGAN William Wallace - 407639 Dedication Ceremony

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