LEST WE FORGET
Flight Lieutenant John Colin McIntosh ROSE DFC
Service No: 401249
Born: Hawthorn VIC, 28 November 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 5 January 1941 (at Melbourne VIC)
Unit: No. 103 Squadron (RAF), RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 13 November 1942 (Citation Tile: No. 103 Squadron (RAF))
Died: Air Operations (No. 103 Squadron Lancaster aircraft W4787), France, 21 December 1942, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Maubeuge Centre Cemetery, Nord, France
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Charles William and Thirza Mary Rose, of East Malvern, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Malvern VIC
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
DFC Citation: This Captain of aircraft has taken part in many operational sorties and has shown courage and determination to press home his attacks regardless of the difficulties and opposition encountered. On one occasion, when over enemy territory, his aircraft was attacked by a Junkers 88. By skilful tactics he evaded the attacker, at the same time manoeuvring his aircraft to enable his gunners to fire and severely damage the enemy aircraft. On two other occasions he ahs flown his aircraft back to base and successfully landed with one engine out of action. Flying Officer Rose’s fine fighting spirit and personal example have been a constant source of inspiration to all his squadron. (London Gazette 13/11/1942, page 4927)
The DVA record shown Flight Lieutenant Rose as having enlisted from Victoria and he has a Victorian Service Number (401XXX); it is not clear why he is listed on the SA Memorial.
Lancaster W4787 took off from RAF Elsham Wolds at 1728 hours on the night of 21 December 1942, detailed to bomb Munich, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. The aircraft crashed near Maubeuge, France, and all the crew members were killed.
The crew members of W4787 were:
Sergeant Peter Laird Donald (1219684) (RAFVR) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Frank John Fisher (577301) (RAF) (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant Gordon Thomas Hawkins (655684) (RAF) (Navigator)
Flight Lieutenant John Colin McIntosh Rose DFC (401249) (Pilot)
Flight Sergeant William Edward Ryan (985591) (RAFVR) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Edward Jack Smith (1213633) (RAFVR) (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sergeant Frederick Trimmer (1393247) (RAFVR) (Rear Gunner)
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, 163/55/256
Bibliography:
Charlwood, D.E.C. (Donald Ernest Cameron) (408794) No Moon Tonight (Angus and Robertson 1956), Penguin Ringwood VIC, 3134, 1991