LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Merlin Stanley WHITE
Service No: 141075
Born: Modbury SA, 7 August 1925
Enlisted in the RAAF: 24 August 1943
Unit: No. 2 Squadron, Balikpapan
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Squadron Mitchell aircraft A47-19), Borneo, 15 September 1945, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Archibald Bruce and Winifred Amelia White, of Tea Tree Gully, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Modbury SA
Remembered: Panel 98, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
At 1450 hours on 15 September 1945, Mitchell A47-19 crashed in Borneo while escorting a Catalina aircraft. The Mitchell was also tasked to drop leaflets to surrendering Japanese forces and the two passengers were carried for this purpose. The crash occurred during a period of low flying and a possible starboard engine problem may have been a contributing factor. On board A47-19 were:
Flying Officer Leslie Bishop (433889) (Navigator)
Flight Sergeant Ernest Arthur Edward Booth (433083) (Air Gunner) Critically injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 18 July 1946
Corporal Ray Owen Byrne (33210) (Steward, Supernumerary)
Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Arthur Kirk (407439) (Pilot)
Warrant Officer Cecil Roy Morgan Ricketts (429384) (Second Pilot)
Flight Sergeant Frederick James Stolweather (439530) (Wireless Air Gunner) Critically injured, Died 16 September 1945
Flying Officer Peter Alfred Taylor (440106) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Leading Aircraftman Merlin Stanley White (141075) (Cook, Supernumerary)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 1
Bibliography:
Bennett, J. (John) Highest Traditions: The History of No. 2 Squadron RAAF, AGPS Canberra, 1995
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Boston, Mitchell and Liberator in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1992