Anthony Dominica Cyril (Tony) LA GRUTA

LA GRUTA, Anthony Dominica Cyril

Service Number: 400719
Enlisted: 13 October 1940
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: Operational Training Units (RAF)
Born: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 15 July 1918
Home Town: St Kilda East, Port Phillip, Victoria
Schooling: St Patricks College, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Salesman/Commercial Traveller
Died: Accidental - killed while Test Flying, Scotland, 29 August 1941, aged 23 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Buried on Hunt Law near Lauder, Scotland
Memorials: Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial
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World War 2 Service

13 Oct 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400719
14 Oct 1940: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 400719, Aircrew Training Units, Melbourne
29 Aug 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 400719, Operational Training Units (RAF), Empire Air Training Scheme, Killed in training accident Scotland

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Anthony Dominica Cyril LA GRUTA was born on 15th July, 1918 in Melbourne, Victoria

His parents were Anthony La GRUTA and Veronica Ismelda DROVEY

He had previously voluntary service for 18 months with the 6th Battalion, Royal Melbourne Regiment and left to join the RAAF.

He enlisted in Melbourne on 14th October, 1940 and embarked Sydney on 22nd February, 1941 for overseas

Anthony died on 29th August 1941 during war time training in the Scottish Borders at Lammermuir, Scotland.  He was buried where he died with the remains of his aircraft on Hunt Law near Lauder (Scotland) He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial , the Australian War Memorial & the St Kilda Roll of Honour

His last posting was a Sergeant with the 60 Operational Training Unit & he was flying a Boulton Paul Defiant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulton_Paul_Defiant (en.wikipedia.org)

http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/defiant_lammermuir.htm (www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk)

http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic1405.html (warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com)

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