BASSETT, Donald James
| Service Number: | 406465 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 January 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
| Born: | Collie, Western Australia, 31 August 1918 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental (Aircraft accident), Machan's Beach, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 5 March 1945, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Sydney Memorial, Rookwood, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Fremantle National Bank of Western Australasia Ltd. Roll of Honour, Sydney Memorial (Sydney War Cemetery) Rookwood |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 406465 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units | |
| 6 Jan 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 406465 | |
| 5 Mar 1945: | Involvement Flight Lieutenant, RAAF Telecommunications and Communications Units |
Help us honour Donald James Bassett's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of James Bailey Bassett and Charlotte Elizabeth Norah Bassett of Wembley Park, WA
Commemorated on Panel 5 of the Sydney Memorial
RAAF Lockheed Hudson A16-118 (VMZI-FM) crashed into the sea about 400 yards out from Machan's Beach, just north of the mouth of the Barron River near Cairns - the pilot had been warned not to take off due to a cyclone in the area, however they left from Townsville and crashed near Cairns.
RAAF crew from Number 4 Communications Flight:
Flight Lieutenant John William Newell 404543
Flying Officer Gordon Thomson DFM 400573
Warrant Officer Berrol Samuel Frieze 409400
Flying Officer Donald James Bassett 406465
Leading Aircraftman John Dudley Moore 77157
The aircraft was carrying:
Major General George Alan Vasey VX9 - HQ 7 Australian Division
Major General Rupert Major Downes CMG VD of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant Colonel George Anthony Bertram OBE NX324 of Advanced Land HQ "G" Branch Australian Headquarters
Corporal Edward Lewis James NX4011 of Local Administration Staff Australian Headquarters - Batman to General Vasey
Colonel Robert Heathcote Russell DSO NX168 of the Australian Army Medical Corps
Lieutenant William Riggall VX80932 of the Australian Army Service Corps - PA to General Vasey
Click images to start slideshow.