Raymond Herbert O'FARRELL

Raymond Herbert O'FARRELL Update Details

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O'FARRELL, Raymond Herbert

Service Number:	405321
Enlisted:	2 March 1941
Last Rank:	Flight Lieutenant
Last Unit:	No. 7 Squadron (RAF)
Born:	Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, 22 April 1920
Home Town:	Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling:	Brisbane State High School, Queensland, Australia
Occupation:	Teacher
Died:	Flying Battle, New Guinea , 11 February 1945, aged 24 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lae Memorial, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. Panel 6.
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane State High School Honour Board, Lae Memorial

World War 2 Service

3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Flight Lieutenant, 405321
2 Mar 1941:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 405321
1 Oct 1942:	Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer
1 Apr 1943:	Promoted Flying Officer
1 Oct 1944:	Promoted Flight Lieutenant, No. 7 Squadron (RAF)

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Biography contributed by Chris Buckley

Raymond was the son of William Herbert O'Farrell (b1893 in Blackall, QLD) and Olive Muriel McLean (b1895 in St Lawrence, QLD). William (a Chainman, working with Surveyors at the Marlborough Terminal in Livingstone) and Olive married in Rockhampton in 1919. William and Olive lived in Livingstone, St Lawrence, Many Peaks near Gladstone and Somerset Dam near Esk where William worked as a Motorman. The family moved to Brisbane in the late 1930s and William worked as a Motor Mechanic.

In 1940 Raymond was a Teacher at Braemeadow State School via Halifax, Hinchinbrook, and in 1941 he enlisted in the RAAF. Raymond served (Service No:405321) as a Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant with 6 EFTS (30 April 1941 - 30 June 1941), 2 SFTS (2 July 1941 - 10 December 1941), 3 WAGS (2 March 1942 - 25 November 1942), 1 R&CS (13 December 1942 - 25 March 1943. He was qualified to fly Tiger Moth, Wackett Trainer, Wirraway Anson and Beaufort aircraft. Raymond was attached to 7 Squadron when he was presumed KiA on an Anti Submarine Warfare Patrol from Tadji over the Bismarck Sea on 11 February 1945 - flying a Beaufort A9 - 599. His body was not recovered.

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