MCNAB, Alexander Charles
| Service Number: | 405420 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 March 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 452 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 July 1918 |
| Home Town: | Peachester, Sunshine Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Brisbane Grammar School, Queensland University |
| Occupation: | Lawyer B.A., LL.B. |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia , 2 May 1943, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Northern Territory Memorial , Northern Territory Memorial, Adelaide River, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide River Northern Territory Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 405420 | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, No. 452 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 29 Mar 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 405420, No. 452 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
Help us honour Alexander Charles McNab's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Flying Officer Alexander Charles McNab 405420 of Number 452 Squadron was killed in the loss of RAAF Spitfire aircraft BS162 near Darwin, NT following a confrontation between Spitfire aircraft from 54SQN 452SQN & 457SQN and a large Japanese attacking force consisting of 20 bomber aircraft and 25 - 30 fighters
Son of Dudley Alexander McNab and Jean Christina McNab
Lex, who had secured his B.A. and LL.B. degrees at Queensland University, was particularly proficient in Enlgand, French and Latin. His parentes endowed a prize at Brisbane Grammar School for thiese languages in his memory.
Husband of Margaret Enid McNab of Peachester, Queensland
Commemorated on the Northern Territory Memorial to the Missing located in Adelaide River War Cemetery
Biography contributed
Alexander Charles McNab was born in Queensland on the 27th of July in 1918. He was the son of Dudley Alexander McNab and Jean Christina McNab. At the age of 23, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce on the 29th of March 1941.McNab’s unit was 452 squadron. On May 2nd, 1943, McNab’s squadron was ordered to go airborne from Straus Field in the Northern Territory at 9.54am. His aircraft joined 3 other aircrafts at an altitude of 10,000 feet and together kept climbing to more than 16,000 feet.
As McNab’s aircraft reached 27,000 feet they sighted enemy aircrafts – 21 bombers and approximately 27 fighters. The 54-squadron attacked first, followed by squadron 457 and finally McNabs squadron which was 452. After engagement, they were joined by three other aircrafts for support. According to the pilot of BS162, McNabs flight ‘seemed to be undamaged and flying steadily’, however they did notice that his flight was pointing downwards. The other pilots tried several times to warn McNab, however, radio communication was incomprehensible, and they could not. McNab spiral dived, but flatted right above water, however, he overturned and crashed his aircraft into the Darwin Harbour Sea.
From the SA Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize Blog. Completed by a student who travelled to Darwin as a winner of the 2022 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize