Alan Fullerton CRADDOCK

CRADDOCK, Alan Fullerton

Service Numbers: 408799, 445428
Enlisted: 2 November 1939
Last Rank: Pilot Officer
Last Unit: No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines
Born: Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 2 July 1918
Home Town: Geelong, Greater Geelong, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Clerk
Died: Accidental Air Crash, Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia, 24 May 1943, aged 24 years
Cemetery: Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery
Plot E, Row D, Grave 16
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour
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World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939: Involvement Pilot Officer, 408799
2 Nov 1939: Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, 445428
23 May 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 408799
24 May 1943: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 408799, No. 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines

Craddock Street


The name Craddock Street replaces Latrobe Street, North Geelong in Victoria 3215, on 14th November 1956,- As a dedication to this gentleman.

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Biography contributed by Julianne Ryan

Born 02nd July 1918 in Geelong, Victoria

Father Charles Henry Craddock
(d. 26/1/1969  86 years of age, Geelong,
     cremated in Geelong Western Public Cemetery, Niche Walls; Plot 061); and
Mother Adelaide Mary Craddock (d. 25/09/1986 98yrs Geelong,
     cremated in Geelong Western Public Cemetery - Niche Walls),
lived at 12 Clarence Street, Geelong, Victoria

23/05/1941  enlisted into WWII RAAF in Melbourne, Victoria

Appointed Pilot Officer of 3 Operational Training Unit

***Note:  Attestation Papers need to be ordered through National Archives of Australia***

RAAF PBY-5 Catalina, A24-39 (USN 0826), of 3 Operational Training Unit Rathmines (3 OTU) crashed during a landing in rough seas opposite Wonderrabah Knob, Port Stephens, New South Wales at 0915 hours on 24 May 1943. The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in February 1942. The flight was part of an inspection of the Broken Bay and Port Stephens areas. F/Lt Higgins had flown to Port Stephens to see if the water was rough enough to carry out rough water landings as laid down in No. 3 OTU training. The OTU course had been extended by one week so that the pilots could get training in rough water landings. F/Lt Higgins had apparently decided that Broken Bay was not suitable for the training and proceed to Port Stephens where he crashed on landing.

Seven men were killed in the crash and two were injured as follows:-

Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins (400620) - Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Max Alexander Larkan (409842) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Sergeant Alan Fullerton Craddock (408799) - 2nd Pilot - Killed
Pilot Officer Norman John Brown (411992) W.A. Gunner - Killed
Corporal Thomas Henry Poole (19812) Fitter 2E - Killed
LAC Henry George Lovett (21419) - Fitter 2A - Killed
Sergeant John Johnson (411710) - W.A. Gunner - Seriously injured
Corporal Jaffre David James (8164) - Fitter 2E - Killed
AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow (72521) - Armourer - Slight Shock

Alan was buried in:
Sandgate War Cemetery, Sandgate, Newcastle, New South Wales
Plot E, Row D, Grave 16

His name is commemorated on Panel 112 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.

His name is also commemorated on a plaque at 5a Lighthouse Road, Inner Light Maritime
Museum & Tea Rooms, Nelson Bay, NSW.

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  12/03/2017.  Lest we forget.

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