Du BOULAY [BEM], Donald Houssemayne

Short Stirling Mk III LK386, OJ-O of 149 Squadron, is coned by searchlights and hit by another flak burst just after dropping mines off the Brittany Coast on the night of 23/24 June 1944. After regaining the south coast the crew headed for RAF Hartford Bridge (now Blackbushe) in Hampshire. On touchdown at 0357 the hydraulic brake pressure was insufficient to prevent the Stirling from running off the end of the runway, whereupon the undercarriage collapsed and the wreckage caught fire. Flt Sgt Donald Houssemayne Du Boulay of the Royal Australian Air Force, received the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for saving another crew member from the burning aircraft. Photo - Group portrait of 30 Course, No. 4 Initial Training School, RAAF, B Squadron, 14 Flight, Front row l to R Du Boulay 3rd.

Last Name
Du BOULAY [BEM]
Given Names
Donald Houssemayne
Service Number
427452
Date of Birth
11/09/1922
Birth Location
Beverley Western Australia
Enlistment Date
04/07/1942
Enlistment Location
Perth W.A.
Course Details
WAGS Course 30
Intake Date
17/09/1942
Finish Date
03/03/1943
To
3 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
22/08/1945 (Discharged)
Discharge Unit
149 SQN
Rank
Flying Officer
Medals
British Empire Medal
Notes

Short Stirling Mk III LK386, OJ-O of 149 Squadron, is coned by searchlights and hit by another flak burst just after dropping mines off the Brittany Coast on the night of 23/24 June 1944. After regaining the south coast the crew headed for RAF Hartford Bridge (now Blackbushe) in Hampshire. On touchdown at 0357 the hydraulic brake pressure was insufficient to prevent the Stirling from running off the end of the runway, whereupon the undercarriage collapsed and the wreckage caught fire. Flt Sgt Donald Houssemayne Du Boulay of the Royal Australian Air Force, received the British Empire Medal (Military Division) for saving another crew member from the burning aircraft. Photo - Group portrait of 30 Course, No. 4 Initial Training School, RAAF, B Squadron, 14 Flight, Front row l to R Du Boulay 3rd.

1 WAGS - Du BOULAY Donald Houssemayne - 427452 ITS
1 WAGS - Du BOULAY Donald Houssemayne - 427452 Citation
1 WAGS - Du BOULAY Donald Houssemayne - 427452 ITS
1 WAGS - Du BOULAY Donald Houssemayne - 427452

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