O'CONNELL, Edward John
| Service Number: | 423858 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 July 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 2 Operational Training Unit Mildura |
| Born: | Cowra, New South Wales, Australia, 12 May 1924 |
| Home Town: | Cowra, Cowra, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Aircraft accident, Wentworth, New South Wales, Australia, 25 October 1944, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mildura (Nichols Point) Public Cemetery, Victoria War Graves Plot C. Row B. Grave 14 , Mildura Public Cemetery, Mildura, Victoria, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Cowra and District War Memorial WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 423858 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, No. 2 Operational Training Unit Mildura | |
| 18 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 423858 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Walter Dennis and Sybil Isobel O'Connell of Cowra, NSW
RAAF Wirraway aircraft A20-613 of Number 2 Operational Training Unit crashed near Wentworth, NSW killing Pilot Officer John Geoffrey Norman Gadsden 418828 and Flight Sergeant Edward John O'Connell 423858
From adfserials: authorised to conduct aerobatics and spins as part of an exercise PLTOFF Gadsden failed to recover from a spin, which was observed from a second aircraft as to spin approximately two or three times. It is thought that the dual stick which had been in place in the aircraft had possibly jammed against the Observers seat. His observer, FSGT O'Connell had earlier that day been released from hospital after contracting Malaria but was cleared fit for flying duties.
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