LEST WE FORGET
Warrant Officer Norman John BURNS
Service No: 422019
Born: Wee Waa NSW, 2 May 1919
Enlisted in the RAAF: 24 April 1942
Unit: No. 5 Communication Unit, Garbutt QLD
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Squadron Wirraway aircraft A20-517), Mareeba QLD, 6 November 1944, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Atherton War Cemetery QLD
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Marcella Mary Burns, of Narrabri, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Wee Waa NSW
Remembered: Panel 111, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 11:30 hours on 6 November 1944, Wirraway A20-517 ground looped on landing and swerved into a stationary Vultee Vengeance aircraft. Personnel on the tarmac scattered but two members were struck and killed. Those killed were:
Warrant Officer Norman John Burns (422019)
Pilot Officer Ronald McTeir (428344) (Pilot)
A20-517 was being flown by Flying Officer Christian Rasmussen (33273) (Pilot) (No. 5 Squadron) who suffered abrasions and shock. He was discharged from the RAAF on 8 November 1945
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, 196
Bibliography:
Wilson, S. (Stewart) Wirraway, Boomerang and CA-15 in Australian Service, Aerospace Publications Weston Creek ACT 2611, 1991