LEST WE FORGET
Sergeant Robert Keith SWANN
Service No: 407142
Born: Henley Beach SA, 7 March 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 22 June 1940
Unit: No. 14 Squadron (RAF), Landing Ground 116, Egypt
Died: Air Operations (No. 14 Squadron Blenheim aircraft Z9729), Egypt, 24 February 1942, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Victor Roy Swann and Clarice Edna Marjory Swann, of Port Lincoln, South Australia
Roll of Honour: Port Lincoln SA
Remembered: Panel 131, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
On 24th February 1942 Blenheim Z9729 was returning from Bir El Babeira to Landing Ground 116 when it was attacked by four Me110s near Buq Buq. The pilot took evasive action but the aircraft received direct hits from cannon shells in both engines and Z9729 was shot down in flames. Sergeant Swann was killed and the others survived the crash.
The crew members of Z9729 were:
Sergeant John Henry Bosworth (400406) (Pilot) Discharged from the RAAF: 4 November 1944
Sergeant Edwin Jack Curtis (408002) (Observer) (Supernumerary) Discharged from the RAAF: 8 September 1945
Sergeant A W Hoyle (929527) (RAF) (Wireless Air Gunner) Survived
Sergeant Robert Keith Swann (407142) (Observer)
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, 163/164/93
Bibliography:
Napier, Michael Winged Crusaders: the exploits of 14 Squadron RFC & RAF 1915-1945, Pen & Sword Books, Barnsley UK, 2012