LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Fenwick Moseley GILKESON
Service No: 414483
Born: Toowoomba QLD, 20 July 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 October 1941
Unit: No. 21 Operational Training Unit (RAF), RAF Station Moreton-in-Marsh
Died: Air Operations (No. 21 Operational Training Unit Wellington aircraft R1152), Dorset, 16 August 1943, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey UK
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Aubrey Fenwick Gilkeson and Eliza Jane Gilkeson
Roll of Honour: Kingsthorpe QLD
Remembered: Panel 122, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Brother of Sergeant Charles Aubrey Jim Gilkeson (404719)
At approximately 2100 hours on 15 August 1943, Wellington R1152 took off from Moreton-in-Marsh and set course for France to carry out a Nickel (pamphlet drop) operation. On return, the aircraft was intercepted by a Mosquito flown by Flight Sergeant O’Çonnor (RAF) and, in a tragic case of mistaken identity, was shot down at 0052 hours into the Deer Park at Wimborne St, Giles, 10 miles north east of Blandford Forum, Dorset. Three crew members managed to bale out and it was reported that the Captain made a valiant effort to try and save his aircraft.
The crew members of R1152 were:
Sergeant Edward Causer (2209008) (RAFVR) (Air Gunner)
Sergeant Fenwick Moseley Gilkeson (414483) (Pilot)
Sergeant MacGovern (RAF) (Air Bomber) Baled out, safe
Sergeant Malingran (RAF) (Wireless Air Gunner) Baled out, safe
Sergeant Joseph Robert Rolleston* (405650) (Navigator) Baled out, seriously injured but safe
*The name and number of this member appear in the NAA records (Casualty File A705, 166/36/204) but are unable to be corroborated by the DVA records. Chorley records this member as Flight Sergeant Rollasin (RAF).
A Court of Inquiry report into the accident it stated in its conclusions that: “The Primary cause of the accident was the failure of the Mosquito pilot, Flight Sergeant O’Connor to identify a Wellington aircraft. A possible contributory factor would be the crossing of tracks in the permanent echo area, if, in fact, such crossing did take place. A further contributory factor would be the fact that the Interception Controller was not warned of the approach of a friendly bomber, if such information was available.” The court recommended that: “Disciplinary action be taken against Flight Sergeant O’Connor, and that suitable recognition be given to the Wellington pilot Flight Sergeant Gilkeson, for his gallantry in remaining in the burning aircraft in an endeavour to establish contact with his rear gunner.”
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Chorley W R, Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Volume 7 Operational Training Units 1940-1947, Midland Counties Publications UK, 2002
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/15/92