LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Ross Nicholas George ZIMBULIS
Service No: 406419
Born: Perth WA, 16 May 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 December 1940
Unit: No. 1 Operational Training Unit, Bairnsdale VIC
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 1 Operational Training Unit Beaufort aircraft A9-51), near Bairnsdale VIC, 4 April 1943, Aged 21 Years
Buried: Bairnsdale War Cemetery, VIC
CWGC Additional Information: Son of George Anthony and Dorothy Zimbulis, of West Perth. Western Australia.
Roll of Honour: Perth WA
Remembered: Panel 113, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Cenotaph Undercroft, State War Memorial, Kings Park WA
On 4 April 1943, Beaufort A9-51 crashed at the Bengworden Masthead Bombing Range during a low level practice attack. The port engine failed, the aircraft turned to port, crashed and burned.
The crew members of A9-51 were:
Sergeant Geoffrey Keith Bennewith (415004) (Wireless Air Gunner) Survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 22 May 1946
Sergeant Frank Edwards (415008) (Wireless Air Gunner) Survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 19 July 1946
Pilot Officer James Warren Hall (415525) (Pilot) Survived, Discharged from the RAAF: 2 January 1945
Flight Lieutenant Jack Haythorn (260722) (Pilot, Instructor)
Flight Sergeant Ross Nicholas George Zimbulis (406419) (Observer)
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, 242
Bibliography:
Lang, Noella The Rest of My Life with No. 50 Squadron: from the diaries and letters of Flying Officer P W Rowling, Access Press, Northbridge WA 6000, 1997