RAAF LOSSES HMAS SYDNEY

[RossGmann]

Hi folks,
Just out of curiosity does any one know why the follow RAAF members from 9 Sqn RAAF were on HMAS Sydney when it was sunk
GB = Ground Battle
Kind regards
Ross
Attachment 1972

[Leendert]

Ross,

They apparently were the crew and maintenance staff of the embarked Walrus/Seagull.

You can find their names on: http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ro...lRoll/RAN.html

Regards,

Leendert

[RossGmann]

Leendert,

Thanks for your answer

Kind regards

Ross

[Ex Shack]

Hi Ross
I don't know how closely the RAN/RAAF followed the pattern of their UK counterparts but the Fleet Air Arm, which had been part of the RAF but operating from Carriers, was transferred to the RN in 1937. The problem was that the RN did not have enough sailors trained for aircraft maintenence and possibly for flying so that RAF personnel continued to serve with FAA Sqns for some time. According to the RAF museum there were some 2000 RAF personnel still serving in the FAA in Nov 1940. If the Australian services followed a similar pattern you could well find some still "on the books" well into the war.
Regards
Dick

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

L2177, was she the only one aboard ?

Alex

[Ex Shack]

Hi Alex
Given the size of a Cruiser of the class of HMAS Sydney I would think it unlikely that she had room for more than one A/C. A look on Google Images for HMAS Sydney might give some idea. http://divinginmalaysia.com/wp-conte...ydney_1940.jpg shows a Walrus on its catapult between the ships Funnels.
Regards
Dick

[Leendert]

Alex,

According this site L2177 was on board HMAS Sydney: http://www.adf-serials.com/2a2.shtml

Regards,

Leendert

[Henk Welting]

........................however according to Air Britain Serials L1000-N9999 was Walrus L2177 assigned to # 711 Sqn. Hat not secured before landing; filled and sank, Kalafrana.
Perhaps our friend Kevin from Malta could confirm.
Regards,
Henk.

[Henk Welting]

...forgot to mention that this all happened 16-8-1938.

[Mark E Horan]

Gents;

Unlike the RN, which had established its own Air Branch on 1 May 1939, replacing the RAF Fleet Air Arm which officially ended as of that date (though not in the hearts and mind of those in it), the Australian Navy had no air branch, so all of the personnel that flew or maintained the shipboard aircraft were Royal Australian Air Force personnel, in this case from 9 Squadron, RAAF. However, the non-pilot crew of the aircraft, the observer and telegraphist, were naval personnel.

In the case of HMAS Sydney, which carried a single Walrus, L2177 per RAAF records and Sturtivant. The aircraft crew was:

FO Raymond Barker Barrey, RAAF 407000 (P)
Lt.Cdr. Jack Cawston Bacon, RN (O)
Tel. William Sidney Fibbens, RAN, 21652 (TAG)

The maintenance personnel were:
LAC Richard Dodds, RAAF 15452
Cpl. Roy Ebenezer Foster, RAAF 9347
AC1 Keith Homard, RAAF 35338 [incorrectly listed as Howard in the CWGC]
Sgt. Sidney Marley, RAAF 3967

Obviously, all were missing and presumed killed in the action in which the ship was sunk along with the 638 other members of her crew.

Mark E. Horan