LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Murray Wilton NIELSEN
Service No: 26423
Born: Morphett Vale SA, 12 February 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 April 1940
Unit: No. 102 Squadron (RAF), RAF Pocklington, Yorkshire
Died: Air Operations (No. 102 Squadron Halifax aircraft NA503), Gloucestershire, 30 July 1944, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Oxford (Botley) Cemetery, Oxfordshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Lawrence Fredrick and Laura Margaret Nielsen
Roll of Honour: Yankalilla SA
Remembered: Panel 128, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Halifax NA503 took off from RAF Pocklington at 0552 hours on 30 July 1944, detailed to attack enemy strong points in the Normandy battle area, France. On return at 0940 hours, the aircraft hit some trees and crashed near Blockley, 3 miles north west of Moreton-in-Marsh airfield, Gloucestershire and all on board were killed.
The crew members of NA503 were:
Flight Sergeant Frank Louis Booker (1627930) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
Sergeant George Alan Herber (2211697) (RAFVR) (Flight Engineer)
Pilot Officer James Evan McKenzie Hulme (42579) (RNZAF) (Pilot)
Pilot Officer Lester Paul Jarratt (426998) (RNZAF) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Charles Hadland Matthews (1035560) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Murray Wilton Nielsen (26423) (Mid Gunner)
Sergeant Henry Robert Riddle (426058) (RNZAF) (Navigator)
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 Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/29/138