LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman John Anderson PHILLIPS
Service No: 69659
Born: Leichardt NSW, 14 August 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 2 September 1942
Unit: No. 80 Squadron
Died: Ground Operations: Biak Island, 15 July 1944, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Lae War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Peter Johnston Phillips, and Elizabeth Phillips, of Leichardt, New South Wales
Roll of Honour: Leichardt NSW
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Leichardt memorial, Leichardt NSW
On 15 July 1944, four RAAF members form No. 80 Squadron set out to explore some caves in the Bosnek area on Biak Island, New Guinea and they were shot by Japanese snipers.
Those killed were:
Leading Aircraftman Keith John Jones (70683) Armourer
Leading Aircraftman John Anderson Phillips (69659) Armourer
Leading Aircraftman Percy Kevin Watterson (77200) Flight Rigger
Leading Aircraftman Ian McGregor Wilson (70714) Armourer
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, 166/32/444
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line