LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Warren Meredith DAY
Service No: 434603
Born: Randwick NSW, 13 November 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 3 May 1943
Unit: No. 82 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 82 Squadron Kittyhawk aircraft A29-675), Borneo, 26 July 1945, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Labuan War Cemetery, Malaysia
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Alfred Thomas Day and Edna Florence Day, of Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 26 July 1945, Kittyhawk A29-675 flown by Flying Officer Day was one of an eight aircraft formation detailed to carry out an operational bombing mission in the British North Borneo area.
The formation was led by the Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Frank Ronald Schaaf, DFC & Bar (O3382) (Discharged: 9 November 1964) and Flying Officer Day was Deputy Leader. A29-675 was making a run on the target at tree top height when the aircraft was hit right over the target area and Flying Officer Day immediately turned for the possible safety of the mountains about 5 miles away. Two Pilots of the formation flew with the aircraft to cover it from further enemy action. A29-675 was seen to lose height and crash among high trees into dense jungle. Smoke was seen rising from the spot and many searches were carried out by air with no result. The aircraft crashed at 1420 hours north west of Malalag in British North Borneo in position 05.18N 115.59E. It was considered that the crash was due to possible engine failure or possible damage from anti-aircraft fire.
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, 166/9/698; A9845, 166