LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant John Edward SHERIDAN
Service No: 403114
Born: Coraki NSW, 13 January 1916
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 December 1940
Unit: No. 14 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Died: Air Operations (No. 14 Operational Training Unit Hampden aircraft L4173), Norfolk, 31 May 1942, Aged 26 Years
Buried: Norwich Cemetery, Norfolk
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Edward Thomas Sheridan and Ethel Webber Sheridan, of Coraki, New South Wales, Australia, husband of Nina Grace Sheridan, of Coraki
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 130, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Coraki War Memorial, Coraki NSW
At 2310 hours on the night of 30 May 1942 Hampden L4173 took off from RAF Cottesmore detailed to bomb Cologne, Germany. The aircraft was severely damaged by enemy action and the entire return flight was made on one engine. Permission to land at Horsham St faith was sought (and given) but the aircraft’s approach was too fast, and the Pilot elected to go around again. However, at 500 feet, the Hampden’s remaining engine cut and at 0530 hours the bomber plunged into Overbury Road, Hellesdon, in the western suburbs of Norwich. Two of the crew members were killed and two were injured.
The crew members of L4173 were:
Flight Lieutenant Wilfred Lawrie Cameron (1403) (RCAF) (Pilot)
Sergeant Edwin Henry East DFM (401324) (Wireless Air Gunner) Seriously Injured, Discharged from the RAAF: 11 October 1945
Sergeant M F Porter (RAF) (Wireless Air Gunner) Injured
Sergeant John Edward Sheridan (403114) (Observer)
Sergeant East was seriously injured during the mission with bullet wounds in one arm and both legs. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.
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, 163/161/217
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line