LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Sydney Ernest LYONS
Service No: 72043
Born: Leichardt NSW, 11 September 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 October 1942
Unit: No. 346 Radar Station, Madang PNG
Died: Drowned, near Madang PNG, 13 July 1945, Aged 24 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Horace Henry and Alice May Lyons, of Leichhardt, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Leichardt NSW
Remembered: Panel 7, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 114, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Leichardt Memorial, Leichardt NSW
On 13 July 1945, a US barge was transporting personnel and a swell was running that night which caused water to run into the barge apparently swamping it. Unfortunately many on board jumped overboard unaware that that type of barge was unsinkable. Leading Aircraftman Lyons and Aircraftman Class I Lawrence Noel Berry (50804), a Fitter Driver Motor Transport, both poor swimmers, drowned between Krankit Island and Madang, Papua New Guinea.
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, 166/25/332
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line