LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer John Trevor David TODD
Service No: 416087
Born: Rose Park SA, 30 November 1920
Enlisted in the RAAF: 29 March 1941
Unit: No. 20 Squadron, Cairns QLD
Died: Air Operations (No. 20 Squadron Catalina aircraft A24-22), off Gasmata New Britain, 8 March 1943, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Maj. David Leslie Todd and Violet Lilian Todd, of Torrens Park, South Australia.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 34, Rabaul Memorial, PNG
Remembered: Panel 101, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: World War II Honour Roll, National War Memorial of SA, North Terrace, Adelaide
Remembered: Catalina Base Memorial, Rathmines NSW
On 8 March 1943, Catalina A24-22 was reported to have caught fire over the Solomon Sea, thirty miles southeast of Gasmata, and subsequently failed to return to base. The crew was posted as missing.
The crew members of A24-22 were:
Leading Aircraftman Colin Neville Anderson (42147) (Armourer)
Flying Officer Malcolm Bradshaw (406749) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Wing Commander Francis Blomfield Chapman DFC (271349) (Pilot)
Flying Officer Stanley Alfred Deacon (255057) (Radar Operator)
Sergeant John Edward Dewhurst (5219) (Fitter II Engines)
Leading Aircraftman Robert George Docking (19968) (Fitter II Engines)
Flight Sergeant Lloyd George Stanley (404027) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sergeant Ronald Noblett Stephens (11363) (Second Pilot)
Flying Officer John Trevor David Todd (416087) (Navigator)
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, 145
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line