HANNAFORD, Jack Coulson
| Service Number: | 402536 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 September 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 236 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Narrabri, New South Wales, Australia, 11 September 1915 |
| Home Town: | Coogee, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Randwick Intermediate High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Store Clerk |
| Died: | Flying Battle, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, 15 March 1942, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, 402536 | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402536 | |
| 16 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 10 Dec 1940: | Embarked Sydney. Disembark Bulwayo South Africa. | |
| 7 Sep 1941: | Embarked South Africa. Disembark No 3 PRC Bournemouth England. | |
| 19 Feb 1942: | Involvement No. 236 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 | |
| 19 Feb 1942: | Transferred No. 236 Squadron (RAF) |
Help us honour Jack Coulson Hannaford's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Sinclair
Jack Coulson Hannaford was born at Narrabri, N.S.W.in September 1915. His parents were Henry William Coulson Hannaford and Ruby Constance (nee Mckenzie)
He was the middle child, between his older sister Daphne, and younger brother Donald. Donald also served, being a member of the AIF.
Jack attended Waverley Commercial School in 1927/28 and Randwick Intermediate High in 1929/30. He obtained his intermediate certificate in October 1930, achieving a first class pass in business principles. On leaving school he worked as a junior clerk, assembler, storeman, and store clerk.
He was a competitive pool and surf swimmer, played cricket, and 2nd and 3rd grade rugby football.
The family was living at Coogee, Sydney and Jack at South Coogee when at the age of 25 he enlisted with no prior flying experience. Previously in 1939 he had tried to enlist with the Airforce in Melbourne.
Jack's first training was at the No2 ITS at Bradfield Park in NSW, before going to South Africa where he trained at Bulwayo, Kumalo, and Guinea Fowl. (see link) He was awarded his flying badge in April 1941.
In September 1941 he departed South Africa for England, spending a month at the Bournemouth Personnel Reception Centre, the arrival point for thousands of Commonwealth air crew. A place later bombed, killing 200, including 7 Australian airmen.
Leaving Bournemouth he was off to No2 Coastal Operational Training Unit at RAF Catfoss, Yorkshire.
Jack joined 236 Squadron in February 1942 and there scored the only blemish on his otherwise clean record by going AWL for 1 day 19 hours and 39 minutes. He had to forfeit 2 days pay and we certainly hope he had a good time.
236 Squadron operated from bases in the South-west of England, carrying out anti shipping patrols over the channel and Irish sea. In February 1942 it was transferred to RAF Wattisham, it's new duties were now flown over the North sea.
At 1500 hours on the 15th March 1942 Beaufighter T4878 took off from Wattisham on an operational shadow patrol over the North sea off the Dutch coast. The aircraft failed to return from this mission. Also killed was Sergeant Fredrick Arthur Robinson (navigator/wireless)
Brother
Donald Hannaford NX66744
Gunner 2/6 Aust. Survey Bty.
Credits. RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum..
Wikipedia
Click images to start slideshow.