LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Geoffrey Lancaster DEBENHAM
Service No: 411295
Born: Fredericktown NSW, 7 September 1917
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 April 1941
Unit: No. 4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton WA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 4 Service Flying Training School Anson aircraft W2262) near Clackline WA, 9 October 1942, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Karrakatta War Cemetery WA
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Frederick and Leila Eveline Debenham, of Frederickton, New South Wales.
Roll of Honour: Frederickton NSW
Remembered: Panel 115, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Kempsey War Memorial, East Kempsey NSW
Anson W2262 ex RAAF Station Pearce to RAAF Station Geraldton, after having completed Direction Finding exercises, crashed and burst into flames in the vicinity of Clackline WA at 0342Z (1142 hours local) this day. The occupants of the aircraft Flying Officer Birt (406823), Sergeant Nixon (414073), Sergeant Hugo (415255), and Sergeant Debenham (411295) were killed immediately. The cause of the accident is obscure and a Court of Inquiry is being convened under Wing Commander D. MacLean as Air Accident Investigating Officer. Squadron Leader Cooper of this Station, en route to RAAF Station Pearce at time of accident, instructed to proceed to scene of crash.
No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF Operations Record Book A50 Entry dated 9 October 1942
The crew members of W2262 were:
Flying Officer Lynton Vennel Howard Birt (406823) (Observer)
Sergeant Geoffrey Lancaster Debenham (411295) (Pilot)
Sergeant Kenneth Colin Hugo (415255) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Noel Louis Nixon (414073) (Observer)
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
Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (Perth) On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 77
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line