Ronald Elliss OFFORD

OFFORD, Ronald Elliss

Service Numbers: A52902, 52902
Enlisted: 28 January 1953, Point Cook
Last Rank: Flight Sergeant
Last Unit: No. 78 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Subiaco, WA, 27 January 1935
Home Town: Perth, Western Australia
Schooling: Perth Boys High School 1948-1950, Perth Modern School 1951-1952
Occupation: Student
Died: Aircraft Accident Birdstrike on takeoff from Butterworth in Sabre A94-958. , Butterworth, Malaya, 11 September 1962, aged 27 years
Cemetery: Penang (Western Road) Cemetery
Memorials: Subiaco Perth Modern School Post WW2 Conflicts Honour Board, Western Australia Garden of Remembrance
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Malaysia / Indonesia Confrontation Service

28 Jan 1953: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, A52902, Point Cook
Date unknown: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 52902, No. 78 Squadron (RAAF)

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Edward Ellis & Sarah Elizabeth OFFORD, 28 Great Eastern Highway, Rivervale, Perth, WA

Husband of Helen Ann OFFORD, 6 Jesselton Avenue, Penang

Ron enjoyed Photography, Areomedlling, Swimming, Tennis Badmington and Shooting.  He was a member of the Perth Boy's High School Rifle Team, as was in the Soccer Team.  He also played with the Perth Modern School Club Soccer Team.

Died when aircraft crashed after Birdstrike on takeoff from Butterworth in Sabre A94-958. Ejected, chute did not fully deploy in time, killed on impact with ground.

Immediately after takeoff for Singapore-Changi on the afternoon of 11th September 1962, Ron's 3SQN Sabre Mk32 (A94-958) received multiple bird strikes .  He ejected at very low level (not within the design capabilities of his seat, RAAF Ejection #20), meaning that his parachute did not have time to deploy and was killed on impact.  Ron was married with two young children and had been living with his family on Penang Island.  According to 3SQN operational records, the purpose of this flight was to position the aircraft in Singapore for a public "static display" for  Air Force Week.  Ron was buried on Penang Island, in the Western Road CWGC Cemetery.

http://www.3squadron.org.au/indexpages/kia.htm (/admin/biographies/75890/Immediately%20after%20takeoff%20for%20Singapore-Changi%20on%20the%20afternoon%20of%2011th%20September%201962,%20Ron's%203SQN%20Sabre%20Mk32%20(A94-958)%20received%20multiple%20bird%20strikes.%20%20%20He%20ejected%20at%20very%20low%20level%20(not%20within%20the%20design%20capabilities%20of%20his%20seat,%20RAAF%20Ejection%20#20),%20meaning%20that%20his%20parachute%20did%20not%20have%20time%20to%20deploy%20and%20was%20killed%20on%20impact.%20%20Ron%20was%20married%20with%20two%20young%20children%20and%20had%20been%20living%20with%20his%20family%20on%20Penang%20Island.%20%20According%20to%203SQN%20operational%20records,%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20flight%20was%20to%20position%20the%20aircraft%20in%20Singapore%20for%20a%20public%20%22static%20display%22%20for%20Air%20Force%20Week%20.%20%20Ron%20was%20buried%20on%20Penang%20Island,%20in%20the%20Western%20Road%20CWGC%20Cemetery.%20%20http://www.3squadron.org.au/indexpages/kia.htm) (bottom of page)

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