LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Geoffrey Hugh LESTER
Service No: 409154
Born: Shanghai, China, 26 September 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 19 July 1941 (at Melbourne VIC)
Unit: No. 3 Communication Unit, Mascot NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 34 Squadron Dragon aircraft A34-47), near Wagga Wagga NSW, 17 April 1943, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Hugh William and Marjorie Elizabeth Lester, of Mansfield, Victoria.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 5, Sydney Memorial, Rookwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 112, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: St John’s Anglican Church RAAF A34-47 Memorial Cairn, Camden NSW
The Cairn reads: In Memory of the Crew and Passengers of RAAF De Havilland Dragon A34-47 from No 34 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force. This plaque unveiled by the relatives, friends, searchers, RSL and the people of Camden in 2000.
No. 34 Squadron DeHavilland Dragon A34-47 disappeared on 17th April 1943 and was last seen near Werombi Post Office, heading south to Wagga Wagga. On board were:
Sergeant Douglas Brian Doyle (412236) (Pilot)
Sergeant Francis Joseph Doyle (420615) (Co-Pilot)
Flying Officer Geoffrey Hugh Lester (409154) (Passenger (Pilot))
First Lieutenant Horace Albert Teague (O-14229) (US Marine Corps) (Passenger)
Second Lieutenant Cecil Joseph Umstead (O-13899) (US Marine Corps) (Passenger)
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 A705, 166/24/72
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line