LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Philip McLean PHILLIPS
Service No: 422979
Born: Armidale NSW, 24 September 1923
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 June 1942
Unit: No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School, Narrendera NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 8 Service Flying Training School Tiger Moth aircraft A17-174), Narrendera, 9 May 1943, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Narrendera War Cemetery, NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Charles David and Vera Phillips, of Wagga Wagga
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Alstonville War Memorial, Alstonville NSW
Remembered: Narrandera Tiger Moth Memorial, Narrandera NSW
At 1440 hours on 9 March 1943, Tiger Moth aircraft A17-174 and A17-257 collided over the Cobbaguaila satellite airfield. All four crew members from both aircraft were killed. The crew members were:
A17-174
Flying Vincent Thomas Connellan (407571) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Philip McLean Phillips (422979) (Trainee Pilot)
A17-257
Flying Officer Charles Edward Croft (401616) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Graham Murray Harding (423539) (Trainee Pilot)
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 A9845, 87
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line