RAAF LOSSES HMAS SYDNEY

[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