Neville James COSTIN

COSTIN, Neville James

Service Number: 426545
Enlisted: 18 July 1942
Last Rank: Pilot Officer
Last Unit: No. 148 Squadron (RAF)
Born: Goondiwindi, Qld., 21 August 1919
Home Town: Kingaroy, South Burnett, Queensland
Schooling: Toowoomba Grammar School
Occupation: School Teacher
Died: Flying Battle, United Kingdom, 18 September 1944, aged 25 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Southport Anzac Park Memorial Gates, Toowoomba Grammar School WW2 Honour Board, Toowoomba Roll of Honour WW2, Toowoomba WW2 Roll of Honour Book, Toowoomba War Memorial (Mothers' Memorial)
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Pilot Officer, 426545
18 Jul 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 426545, No. 148 Squadron (RAF), Brisbane, Qld.
18 Jul 1942: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 426545

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Benjamin Green Costin and Susanna Costin, of Southport, Queensland

Pilot Officer Neville Costin was one of the four members of the crew of a No. 48 Squadron Royal Air Force Dakota Mk III Transport KG 592 that was lost over Western Europe on 18th September 1944 whilst on transportation duties.  A Circumstantial Report submitted to the Air Ministry by the Officer Commanding No. 48 Squadron on 23rd October 1944 stated:

The aircraft was engaged on transport duties to Western Europe and was last reported by Headquarters 46 Group to be at B.58 on 18th September 1944 with a damaged wheel.  Following this information this unit understands that 46 Group sent frequent signals requesting news of the aircraft and when no further definite information was obtained, they investigated the circumstances and on the 5th October 1944, authorised casualty action.  At no time has this Unit had definite information on this aircraft from the date it was reported to be at B.58.  It can only be assumed that the Captain took off again from B.58 without booking out or warning the responsible authorities, and that some kind of accident occurred on the return flight.  The possibility of enemy action seems remote, but no message was received from the aircraft indicating that they were in difficulties.  Investigations are still proceeding to find out what occurred.

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