Ronald Irvine FERGUSON

Ronald Irvine FERGUSON Update Details

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FERGUSON, Ronald Irvine

Service Number:	402496
Enlisted:	16 September 1940
Last Rank:	Flying Officer
Last Unit:	No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
Born:	North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 29 September 1917
Home Town:	North Sydney, North Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Died:	Accidental (Aircraft accident), Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 7 September 1943, aged 25 years
Cemetery:	Townsville War Cemetery, Queensland, Australia C.B.3., Townsville War Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Sydney Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board WW2 Honour Roll

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flying Officer, 402496
16 Sep 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), Aircrew Training Units
16 Sep 1940:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 402496, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)
7 Sep 1943:	Involvement Flying Officer, No. 11 Squadron (RAAF)

Help us honour Ronald Irvine Ferguson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by David Barlow

Catalina A24-52 of Number 11 Squadron (original USN Serial No 08335) crashed in Cleveland Bay at Townsville while attempting to land in rough conditions. After touching down it travelled a short distance before it struck a large wave and sank by the bow. Thirteen of the nineteen RAAF passengers and crew were killed:

FLTLT Charles John Miles (Captain) 405317 - Husband of Patricia Betty Miles of Colac, Victoria

FLTLT William John Canterbury (2nd Pilot) 400037 - Son of Thomas and Winnifred Lillian Canterbury of Dandenong, Victoria

Flying Officer Ronald Irvine Ferguson (3rd Pilot) 402496 - Son of Robert Joseph and Florence Jane Ferguson of Northbridge, NSW

Flying Officer Gordon John Robert Hockey (Navigator) 411089 - Son of Reuben and Alice Elizabeth Hockey & Husband of Phillis Edna Hockey of Armidale, NSW

Flying Officer Reginald Albert Weeks (WO/AG) 420317 - Son of John Thomas Weeks and Ellen Louisa Weeks of Maroubra, NSW

Flight Sergeant Bernard Victor McInerney (WO/AG) 420585 - Son of John Thomas McInerney and Ellen McInerney of Albion Park, NSW

Corporal William Richard George Lobb (Fitter 11E - ground crewman) 61254 - Son of Richard Joseph and Florence Maud Lobb of Ultimo, NSW

SQNLDR Leo Mathew Hogan 281940 Mention in Despatches (MiD) (passenger) - Son of Mr and Mrs M. J. Hogan & Husband of Constance Edna Marie Hogan (nee Richards) of Townsville, Queensland

Flying Officer Charles Harry Ratcliffe 119559 (passenger - Personal Assistant to Air Commodore Cobby) - Son of William Harry and Lydia Ratcliffe & Husband of Stella Esme Ratcliffe of Kogarah, NSW

SQNLDR John Vernon Angus 252693 (passenger) - Son of William James Angus and Sydney Angus of Prospect, SA & Husband of Kathleen Angus of Adelaide, SA

FLTLT Frank Haighton Lord 252297 (from Number 6 Medical Receiving Station - Merauke) - Son of Doctor Percy Oswald Lord and Francisca Frederica Lord & Husband of Margaret Ethel Lord of South Caulfield, Victoria

FLTLT William Archie Wilkinson 3418 (Airman # 1300) (passenger from Number 12 Signals Unit) - Son of William and Mary Jane Wilkinson & Husband of Cornelia Elizabeth Wilkinson of Albert Park, Victoria

Pilot Officer Beresford Frederick Shearman 423181 (passenger from 43 Squadron) - Son of Stewart Frederick and Marie Millicent Shearman of Orange, NSW

Crash Survivors (all survived war):

Wing Commander Willem Lodewyk Bosschart Stephens 1175

Sergeant Maxwell Burnett Dore 23699 (Fitter 11E - ground crewman)

Corporal Ronald Colin Smith 22211 (Fitter 11A - ground crewman)

Corporal Albert Leslie Fowler 62546 (Armourer - ground crewman) - awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his actions following this crash

Wing Commander Bruce Panton MacFarlan 26010 - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Air Commodore Arthur Henry Cobby (post-WW2 Service Number O251334) Commander of the Order of the British Empire; received the George Medal for his efforts in saving others following this crash. He was the Air Officer Commanding North Eastern Area for much of WW2. Served in WW1 as a Captain with the Australian Flying Corps where he was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross 3 times (DFC & 2 bars) and a Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

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