LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer John Douglas Bias ROWLANDS
Service No: 403005
Born: Carcour NSW, 9 September 1918
Enlisted in the RAAF: 11 November 1940
Unit: No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit (RAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-Operation Unit Tiger Moth aircraft N6719), off the Norfolk Coast, 30 January 1942, Aged 23 Years
Buried: Bircham Cemetery, Norfolk
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Robert George and Eileen Doris Rowlands, of Mandurama, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Mandurama NSW
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 30 January 1942, Tiger Moth N6719 crashed into the sea near Weybourne, Norfolk, when flying low over the sea and executing tight turns. The accident was considered to result from the direct disobedience of an order by the Pilot.
The crew members of N6719 were:
Pilot Officer John Michael Joyce-Clarke (66588) (RAFVR) (Pilot)
Flying Officer John Douglas Bias Rowlands (403005) (Pilot) Supernumerary
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, 163/55/162
Bibliography:
Ilbery, P.L.T. (Peter Leslie Thomas) (422957) Hatching an Air Force: 2SFTS, 5SFTS, 1BFTS Uranquinty and Wagga Wagga, Banner Books Maryborough QLD 4650, 2002