BELL, Ralph Douglas
| Service Number: | 207712 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 February 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | No. 10 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | ARNCLIFFE, NSW, 9 October 1919 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Lost on operations, Irish Sea, Irish Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, 29 April 1941, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Feb 1939: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 207712 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Leading Aircraftman, 207712, No. 10 Squadron (RAAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
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Ralph Bell was a crew member of a 10 Squadron Sunderland flying boat returning from anti-submarine operations on 28 April 1941. The aircraft could not locate the base flare path because of poor visibility and an incorrect radio beacon transmission which gave the pilot a reciproal bearing. When running low on fuel and having given the crew the option of bailing out over southern island, the pilot began a procedure to set down at sea. The aircraft hit the surface of the ocean without warning. A full account of the incident is located here. 10 Squadron Sunderland lost at sea. (aircrewremembered.com)