Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Missing as result of enemy air action whilst on an operational reconnaissance mission over islands in the Banda Sea.
Taking off Aircraft failed to return.
Crew S/Ldr J L Scott Serv#290602, F/Sgt R King Serv#427122 (NavB), P/O D C Beddoe Serv#401731, F/Sgt B Wallace Serv#410763 and F/Sgt K Wright Serv#434064 missing.
SOC 1204/44.
Post war it was reported that five crew members of the bomber crash landed near Dai Island. By dingy, they managed to reach Laneong Island. They were betrayed and were captured some two months later, and transferred to Saumalaki.
On the 24/05/44 a 18Sqn NEI B-25 had attacked a vessel transporting these men. P/O Beddoe who was waving was shot dead by one of the Japanese guards. The remaining crew and their Japanese guards reached Ambon. The remaining four crewman at Ambon were, on the 16/08/44, taken out to Galala Crematory where they were by order of 1st Sub Lt Katayama, HQ 4 South Dispatched Fleet( IJN) be beheaded. He executed S/Ldr Scott, 2nd Sub Lt Toyoji Takahashi (who executed F/Sgt Wallace) , 2nd Sub Lt Takashi Nishida and Petty Officer Yoshizaki executed the remaining two, F/Sgt K Wright and F/Sgt R King. Within the research, it is interpreted that all of these Naval Personnel were convicted of war crimes and executed by the Australian Military Forces for their above actions.
(From "ADF Serials - Hudson" website, http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a16.htm)

Son of John James SCOTT and Alberta Jessamaine nee TUCKER

Husband of Myrtle Edith Scott, of Mount Lawley, Western Australia.

Mrs. A. J. Scott, of 14 Alexandra avenue. Rose Park, has been notified by the Air Board that her eldest son, Sq-Ldr. John Leonard Scott, who was previously reported missing, is now  presumed to have lost his life at Ambon while a prisoner of war In Japanese hands