LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Leslie William RAYNER
Service No: 426913
Born: Brisbane QLD, 1 April 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 15 August 1942
Unit: No. 5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 5 Service Flying Training School Wirraway aircraft A20-131), near Wagga Wagga NSW, 1 March 1943, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Wagga Wagga General Cemetery NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Norman James Rayner and Stella Rayner, of Northgate, Queensland.
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 116, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 1 March 1943, Wirraway aircraft A20-131 and A20-440 collided 16 kms north west of Wagga Wagga. The crew members were:
A20-131
Flying Officer Ralph Russell O’Berg (411369) (Pilot) Baled Out, Uninjured, Discharged from the RAAF: 23 November 1945
Leading Aircraftman Leslie William Rayner (426913) (Student) Baled Out, parachute opened late, Killed
A20-440
Warrant Officer Keith Averill (406429) (Pilot) Fatally injured in the collision
Leading Aircraftman William Trevor Utting (426785) (Student) Uninjured, Successfully landed A20-440, Discharged from the RAAF: 12 November 1945
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, 173