LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Kevin Leonard HODGE
Service No: 417303
Born: Morgan SA, 10 March 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 28 March 1942
Unit: No. 25 Squadron, RAAF Station Pearce WA
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 25 Squadron Wirraway A20-110) York WA, 21 July 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Karrakatta War Cemetery WA
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Edward Leonard Clare Hodge and Helen Valeska Hodge, of Clarence Park, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Adelaide SA
Remembered: Panel 102, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
On returning from GERALDTON at night from a cross country flight, all four aircraft became lost.
Wirraway A20-110, Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Howard Mitchell (405006) (Pilot) and Sergeant Kevin Leonard Hodge (417303) (Navigator “W”), was abandoned by crew at YORK. Injuries to personnel – Sergeant Hodge fatally injured. Damage to aircraft – totally destroyed to be converted to salvage. No. 25 Squadron E/E. 24 No. 15/1943 submitted.
No. 25 Squadron Operations Record Book A50 Entry dated 21 July 1943
Wirraway A20-151, Flying Officer Leslie Chester Master Garling (420355) (Pilot) and Sergeant Frederick Cecil Smith (38259) (Navigator “W”), made forced landing with wheels down at YORK. Injuries to personnel – Nil. Damage to aircraft Airscrew blades bent, flaps buckled, Fuselage monocoque section dented. No. 25 Squadron E/E 24. No. 13/1943 submitted.
Wirraway A20-188, Flight Sergeant Clifford Douglas Robinson (405327) (Pilot) and Sergeant Leonard Joseph Marron (416773 (A4417)) (Navigator “W”), landed with wheels up at YORK. Injuries to personnel – Nil. Damage to aircraft- Airscrew blades bent, flaps twisted and buckled, port wing slightly bent. No. 25 Squadron E/E. 24 No. 14/1943 submitted.
Wirraway A20-124, Flight Sergeant Mervyn James Baker (402903) (Pilot) and Sergeant Frank Taylor (17312) (Fitter IIE, Passenger) was abandoned by crew at RIVERTON. Injuries to personnel – Nil. Damage to aircraft – to be converted to components. No. 25 Squadron E/E. 24 No. 16/1943 submitted.
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, 105; A705, 166/18/130