LEST WE FORGET
Aircraftman Class I Dennis Michael O’LOUGHLIN
Service No: 53849
Born: North Melbourne VIC, 20 August 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 10 April 1942
Unit: No. 1 Operational Training Unit
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Operational Training Unit Hudson aircraft A16-89), near Bairnsdale VIC, 9 August 1942, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Fawkner Memorial Park, Melbourne VIC
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Patrick Joseph and Bridget Margaret O’Loughlin, of North Melbourne
Roll of Honour: Melbourne VIC
Remembered: Panel 112, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 9 August 1942, Hudson A16-89 crashed at 1115 hours seven miles south east of the Bairnsdale aerodrome and both crew members were killed. The aircraft was seen to dive at an angle of 35 degrees from a height of 2,000 feet during a circuit of the aerodrome. No apparent attempt was made to recover and on impact the aircraft burst into flames.
The crew members of A16-89 were:
Pilot Officer Alan George Gray (5134) (Pilot)
Aircraftman Class I Dennis Michael O’Loughlin (53849) (Aircraft Hand, Supernumerary)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 163/148/255; A9845, 135