LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Russell Edward JOHNSTON
Service No: 408284
Born: Melbourne VIC, 13 December 1910
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 August 1941 (at Hobart TAS)
Unit: No. 1 Service Flying Training School, RAAF Station Point Cook VIC
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Service Flying Training School Oxford aircraft AT439), Beech Forest VIC, 12 April 1942, Aged 31 Years
Buried: Cremated
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Thomas Edward and Ruby May Johnston; husband of Jean Valda Johnston, of North Fitzroy
Roll of Honour: Hobart TAS
Remembered: Victoria Cremation Memorial, Melbourne VIC
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At 1105 hours on 12 April 1942, Airspeed Oxford AT439 crashed 5 kms north east of Beech Forrest, Victoria, and all there crew members were killed. Those crew members were:
Leading Aircraftman John Robert Black (409376) (Trainee Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Russell Edward Johnston (408284) (Trainee Pilot)
Sergeant Theodore William Penn (407908) (Instructor Pilot)
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
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A9845, 239