LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Jack Weston BARNWELL
Service No: 432300
Born: Eastwood NSW, 31 October 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 5 December 1942
Unit: No. 5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A201-50), near Uranquinty, 1 August 1943, Aged 18 Years
Buried: Wagga Wagga General Cemetery, NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Harrie Weston Barnwell and Ada Bertha Barnwell, of Eastwood
Roll of Honour: Eastwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 115, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Eastwood War Memorial, Eastwood NSW
Remembered: Eastwood Uniting Church World War 2 Honour Rolls, Eastwood NSW
On 1 August 1943, Wirraway A20-150 crashed one mile south east of the Uranquinty aerodrome during a solo non-operational night training flight and Leading Aircraftman Barnwell was killed.
Leading Aircraftman Barnwell had received dual instruction in flying circuits and landings and was instructed to continue solo until 2200 hours. The weather was overcast but considered safe for a trainee solo flying. At 2140 hours, the Flight Commander decided to ground all aircraft for the night as the weather was deteriorating. All aircraft had been brought in on the flare path except A20-150 which was still in the air.
Leading Aircraftman Barnwell made a good approach to the flare path until he reached an approximately height of 150 feet and adjacent to No 2 flare, when he opened the throttle and proceeded to go round again. This circuit was made very tight and at a height of some 3/400 feet. When turning from downwind into wind for his approach, he made a very steep turn, the nose dropped, the turn continued, and the aircraft disappeared from view approximately 1 mile south east of the aerodrome. Two parties set out and found the crashed aircraft at 2210 hours.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/5/238; A9845, 106
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line