RICHARDS, James Jarman
| Service Number: | 418466 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 May 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 21 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 18 November 1923 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Flying Battle, New Guinea, 5 March 1944, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lae Memorial, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lae Memorial, Melbourne Cricket Club WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 418466 | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 22 May 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 418466 | |
| 5 Mar 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 418466, No. 21 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Flight Sergeant James Richards 418466 (Pilot) and Flight Sergeant Leslie Stewart 418197 (Navigator / WAG) in 21SQN RAAF Vultee Vengeance A27-82 made a forced landing on the water 5 miles east of Madang after the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while attacking enemy positions on the 5th of March 1944 - the body of Flight Sergeant Richards was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Lae Memorial
Further investigation post war confirmed that Flight Sergeant Stewart 418197 was captured by Japanese troops after he survived the crash and was executed at the Kempei Tai Headquarters compound at Amron north of Madang, New Guinea on the 31st of March 1944 - as his body was not located he is also commemorated on the Lae Memorial
Flight Sergeant McDonald 418154 who survived the ditching of Vengeance A27-276 on the 24th of February 1944 was executed at the same time (Flight Sergeant McAllister 23352 from A27-276 was KIA)