LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Robert Joseph HEHIR
Service No: 407289
Born: Payneham SA, 19 May 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 17 August 1940
Unit: No. 14 Squadron (RAF), Landing Ground 116, Egypt
Died: Air Operations (No. 14 Squadron Blenheim aircraft Z6044), Egypt, 13 June 1942, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John Arthur and Annie Caroline Hehir, of Ashford, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Column 265, Alamein memorial, Egypt
Remembered: Panel 123, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Blenheim Z6044 was involved in night landing practice. While the practice was in progress an air raid warning was received and the flare path extinguished. The pilots of the various aircraft involved in the landing practice were ordered to circle close in. Z6044 was reported missing and failed to return to base. Following post war enquiries and investigations, it was recorded in 1948 that the missing crew had no know grave.
The crew members of Z6044 were:
Flight Sergeant Robert Joseph Hehir (407289) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Sergeant Cyril Mervyn Leaver (1179757) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Sergeant Hubert Maurice John Powell (919706) (RAFVR) (Observer)
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 Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/121/186
Bibliography:
Napier, Michael Winged Crusaders: the exploits of 14 Squadron RFC & RAF 1915-1945, Pen & Sword Books, Barnsley UK, 2012