JAMES, Joffre David
| Service Number: | 8164 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 January 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 1 March 1915 |
| Home Town: | Fremantle, Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Catalina Flying Boat A24-39 crashed into rough seas, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943, aged 28 years |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery Plot E, Row C, Grave 16, Sandgate War Cemetery, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 23 Jan 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 8164 | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 8164, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines |
Help us honour Joffre David James's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Robert Kearney
Father Percival Henry James and Mother Mabel Wynnis James,
lived at Wangaratta, Victoria
Wife Eunice Elsie James, lived at East Fremantle, Western Australia
01/03/1940 enlisted into WWII RAAF in East Fremantle, Western Australia
place of enlisting Laverton, Victoria
***Note: Joffre's Attestation Papers need to be ordered through National Archives of
Australia***
Appointed as Corporal with 3 Operational Training Unit
RAAF PBY-5 Catalina, A24-39 (USN 0826), of 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines (3 OTU) crashed during a landing in rough seas opposite Wonderrabah Knob, Port Stephens, New South Wales at 0915 hours on 24 May 1943. The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in February 1942. The flight was part of an inspection of the Broken Bay and Port Stephens areas. F/Lt Higgins had flown to Port Stephens to see if the water was rough enough to carry out rough water landings as laid down in No. 3 OTU training. The OTU course had been extended by one week so that the pilots could get training in rough water landings. F/Lt Higgins had apparently decided that Broken Bay was not suitable for the training and proceed to Port Stephens where he crashed on landing.
Seven men were killed in the crash and two were injured as follows:-
Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins (400620) - Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Max Alexander Larkan (409842) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Sergeant Alan Fullerton Craddock (408799) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Norman John Brown (411992) W.A. Gunner - Killed
Corporal Thomas Henry Poole (19812) Fitter 2E - Killed
LAC Henry George Lovett (21419) - Fitter 2A - Killed
Sergeant John Johnson (411710) - W.A. Gunner - Seriously injured
Corporal Jaffre David James (8164) - Fitter 2E - Killed
AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow (72521) - Armourer - Slight Shock
Joffre was buried in:
Sandgate War Cemetery, Sandgate, Newcastle, New South Wales
Plot E, Row C, Grave 16
His name is commemorated on Panel 112 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
His name is also commemorated on a plaque at 5a Lighthouse Road, Inner Light Maritime
Museum & Tea Rooms, Nelson Bay, NSW.
Submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 12/03/2017. Lest we forget.
Click images to start slideshow.