LEST WE FORGET
Flight Lieutenant Richard Hope HILLARY
From Australia serving in the Royal Air Force
Service No: 74677 (RAFVR)
Born: Sydney NSW, 20 April 1919
Enlisted in the RAF: Date unavailable
Unit: No. 54 Operational Training Unit, RAF Station Charterhall
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 54 Operational Training Unit Blenheim aircraft BA194), Berwickshire, 8 January 1943, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Golders Green Crematorium, Middlesex
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Michael Hillary, D.S.O., O.B.E. and of Edwyna Mary Hillary (nee Hope), of Marylebone, London. B.A.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
On 3 September 1940 Pilot Officer Hillary was badly burned in combat operations during the Battle of Britain and baled out over the North Sea from which he was retrieved after three hours in the water. He subsequently underwent extensive plastic surgery and was permitted to return to flying duties. He was killed in an aircraft accident at Crunklaw Farm on 8 January 1943 while flying No. 54 Operational Training Unit Blenheim aircraft BA194. Also killed in the accident was Sergeant Kenneth Wilfred Young Fison (1336052) (RAFVR) (Navigator Wireless).
References:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record AWM65, 2639
RAF Commands Website