John Leslie BEESON

John Leslie BEESON Update Details

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BEESON, John Leslie

Service Numbers:	427427, W60656
Enlisted:	16 March 1942
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	No. 158 Squadron (RAF)
Born:	Fremantle Western Australia , 25 December 1918
Home Town:	Boddington, Boddington, Western Australia
Schooling:	Christian Brothers College Perth, Western Australia
Occupation:	Analytical Chemist
Died:	Flying Battle, Goch Germany, 7 February 1945, aged 26 years
Cemetery:	Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany Coll. Grave 17. D. 12-15. Local Roll of Honour- Perth Western Australia , Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flying Officer, 427427
16 Mar 1942:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, W60656
14 Jul 1942:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 427427, No. 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbor
14 Jul 1942:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 427427
29 Feb 1944:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 427427, Operational Training Units (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45, 21 Operational Training Unit (RAF)
17 Aug 1944:	Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 427427, No. 158 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45
11 Nov 1944:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, No. 158 Squadron (RAF)

Biography contributed by Graham Padget

Flying Officer John Leslie Beeson was the son of Sydney Arthur and Catherine Maud Mary Beeson, of Mount Hawthorn Western Australia; husband of Nonie Teresa Beeson of Mount Hawthorn.

Flying Officer Gleeson's Halifax Bomber NP973 took off from RAF Lissett at 1911 hours on the night of 7 February 1945, detailed to attack both enemy concentrations of troops and transport at Goch, Germany.

His Halifax reached the target area but at 2222 hours the Master Bomber cancelled the raid.

Flying at around 3,500 feet, His Halifax collided head on at 2225 hours with No. 77 Squadron (RAF) Halifax aircraft MZ689 when both aircraft were approximately 20 kms south south east of Goch.

Two minutes later Flying Officer Beeson ordered his crew to bale out, but only three could do so before his aircraft plunged into a forest between Lullingen and Geldern.

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