LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Mervyn Walter HUTCHINGS
Service No: 414688
Born: Toowoomba QLD, 16 January 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 8 November 1941
Unit: No. 6 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 6 Operational Training Wellington aircraft LA974), Scotland, 18 June 1943, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Kirkinner Cemetery, Wigtownshire, Scotland
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Walter and Gladys Ione Hutchings, of Kedron, Queensland, Australia
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 124, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 18 June 1943, Wellington LA974 flew into the side of Glencaird Hill, Kircudbrightshire. All six crew members were killed.
The crew members of LA974 were:
Pilot Officer Douglas Frederick Carter (136186) (RAFVR) (Second Pilot)
Sergeant James Rowland Ellis (1294738) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner)
Sergeant Hubert Hooson (1080080) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator /Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Mervyn Walter Hutchings (414688) (Navigator)
Sergeant Thomas Kenningley (744818) (RAFVR) (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner)
Flight Lieutenant John Hubert Willsher (77455) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
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 Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/18/116
On Line Sources