Operation: Supply drop, Bougainville and New Britain

Date: 26th/27th April 1943 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit No: 11 Squadron RAAF

Type: Catalina

Serial: A24-43

Code: FJ:B

Base: Cairns, Queensland

Location: Aita, Central Bougainville

Captain: Flt Lt. William James Clark 403318 RAAF Age 26. KiA

2nd Pilot: Fg Off. John Nigel Elmhirst Potts 408268 RAAF Age 22. KiA

Nav: Fg Off. Clifton Stuart Dunn 403985 RAAF Age 34. KiA

1st WOp/Air Gnr: Fg Off. Colin James Twist 407655 RAAF Age 25. PoW/Died/MiA

2nd WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Frederick Gordon Thompson 416629 RAAF Age 36. Evaded (1)

1st Eng: Sgt. Dudley James Ward 32917 RAAF Age 33. KiA

2nd Eng: Cpl. Roland Hugh Alexander Wettenhall 11785 RAAF Age 35. Evaded (1)

Fitter IIA: Cpl. John Fenwick 22532 RAAF Age 27. PoW */Murdered (2)

Armourer: Cpl. Herbert Yates 62031 RAAF Age 34. Murdered (3)

* Tunnel Hill PoW Camp, Rabaul, New Britain

Above left to right: Fg Off. Clifton. S. Dunn, Fg Off. Colin J. Twist, Sgt. Frederick G. Thompson (from their service records)

Above left to right: Sgt. Dudley J. Ward, Cpl. John Fenwick, Cpl. Herbert Yates (from their service records)

Note: Prior to being delivered to the RAAF A24-43 was built for the United States Navy (USN) as PBY-5 #08202

REASON FOR LOSS:

Catalina A24-43 took-off from Cairns in Queensland at 15:12 hrs on 26th April 1943 on a mission to drop supplies at Aita on Bougainville and Cape Bun Bun on New Ireland.

The following joint statement by Sgt. Thompson and Cpl. Wettenhall described the events leading to the loss of the aircraft and the aftermath:

‘The Aita drop site was located without difficulty at about 23:00 hrs EST, at which time we were flying at 10,000 ft. There was a clear sky but the moon had not risen. Fg Off. Dunn, the Navigator enquired from the Captain whether he wanted him to take up his position in the bomb aimers compartment and Flt Lt. Clark replied to the effect that he could see quite well and that this would not be necessary.

The crew took up the following positions for the drop:

Flt Lt. Clark - Captain's seat;
Fg Off. Potts - Second Pilot's seat;
Sgt. Ward - Engineer's Panel;
Plt Off. Twist - Port Blister (with head-phones);
Cpl. Yates and Cpl. Fenwick also in Blister Compartment;
Fg Off. Dunn - Engineer's Compartment;
Sgt. Thompson and Cpl. Wettenhall in the Bomb Compartment.

Before commencing the drop Cpl. Yates removed the port gun and stowed it on the starboard side of the Blister.

We started dropping the supplies and were making lefthand circuits. After making two circuits and dropping two (2) chutes, Flt Lt. Clark asked over the inter-comm if the third (3rd) chute was ready and Plt Off. Twist replied in the negative. Flt Lt. Clark then started to make a righthand turn. Soon afterwards we felt a bump and then heard the power of the engines being increased. This happened at approx. 23:30 hrs EST.

From this stage until arrival at Aita, Sgt. Thompson does not remember any details, but Cpl. Wettenhall recalls hitting of trees followed by violent bumps, then all was quiet except for the running of petrol. There was complete darkness.

Cpl. Yates and Cpl. Wettenhall called out trying to determine the condition of the rest of the crew received no reply from either of the pilots or Sgt. Ward. Cpl. Wettenhall managed to free himself and went aft. At this stage Sgt. Thompson asked for assistance and Cpl. Yates came forward and eventually freed him from the wreckage. Fg Off. Dunn, after hearing the running of petrol, somehow or other managed to crawl out of the aircraft. As Cpl. Yates was unable to find a torch, and it was too dangerous to use matches, the rest of us were unable to find an exit. It was decided that we should stay in the aircraft until dawn. Later in the night the other Catalina was heard and was also seen in the moonlight on a few occasions.

At first light Cpl. Wettenhall, with the aid of Plt Off. Twist, was able to get out of the aircraft through the starboard blister. He picked up the gun cleaning-rod and proceeded to smash the blister to enable the rest of us to get out. It was this noise that attracted the attention of an AIF party who had been searching for us with the assistance of natives all through the night.

On their arrival Sgt. Broadfoot fired a shot to let the other search party know that they had found us. Sgt. Radimey and party arrived shortly afterwards with first aid. It was found that Flt Lt. Clark, Fg Off. Potts and Sgt. Ward had been killed instantly.

Sgt. Broadfoot – Sgt. Harold Joseph Broadfoot QX38133 of the “M” Special Unit. He survived the war and was discharged from the AIF on the 23rd October 1945;

Sgt. Radimey – Sgt. Walter Allan Perc Radimey NX44839 of the “M” Special Unit. He survived the war and was discharged from the AIF on the 7th March 1945.

The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) party removed the bunks from the aircraft to use as stretchers and the natives also made sufficient stretchers to carry the rest of us down the creek to the AIF camp at Aita. Sgt. Radimey spent the whole day giving us medical attention. We were told that a submarine was due in and that they were going to delay their departure until Thursday night 29th April in the hope that we could reach the east coast by that time

Early on the 28th of April we left Aita for Daria being carried on stretchers by the natives. A few hours after our departure heavy rain set in making the going very difficult and our progress slow.

We spent the night at a lean-to built by the natives. Early next morning on the 29th April, Plt Off. Twist and Cpl. Yates walked on to Daria. Later in the morning Sgt. Thompson and Cpl. Wettenhall were taken on stretchers arriving at Daria that afternoon. Owing to the shortage of carriers, Fg Off. Dunn and Cpl. Fenwick spent the day and night at the lean-to with Sgt. Radimey. They arrived at Daria on the 30th April. We had, therefore, missed the submarine due to the bad weather conditions and shortage of native carriers. Actually we were still one day away from the East coast. We were all made very comfortable at Daria and Sgt. Radimey attended to our injuries.

While at Aita, Plt Off. Twist and Cpls. Wettenhall and Yates went back to the scene of the crash. After seeing the aircraft they continued up the hill for about three hundred yards and came on to a ridge with a sheer drop on the valley side. It was noticed that some tall trees in front of the ridge had damaged tops and the ridge was marked. About five yards to the right and just below the ridge there was a tree approx. two feet in diameter which had been snapped off about three it. above the level of the ridge. Looking from the ridge at the path the aircraft took was a very narrow track with a few damaged trees. They presumed from this that the aircraft was on its side with the port wing vertical, at this stage. About 275 yards down the hill the starboard tail plane was found and about 25 yards further on was the aircraft lying on its starboard side, but the port wing and centre section were parallel to the ground and no superstructure was visible.

On inspection of the aircraft they found that the starboard engine, although still on the wing, was buried in the ground. The port wing with engine minus its cowling, were still in position and the propeller and reduction gear were torn from the engine and were lying on ground in front. The front of the aircraft as far back as the Engineer's compartment could not be recognized. The Pilot's position could be seen with the armour plate in front of, and the port engine above them. The Engineer's position was almost at ground level and had been very badly damaged. Strangely enough the instrument panel was only slightly damaged and it was observed that the altimeter was reading 5,500 feet. No. 5 bulkhead had been twisted and forced inward on the port side. As far back as No. 6 bulkhead the bottom of the aircraft had been ripped out. The blister compartment had been damaged but not to the extent of the forward compartments. No damage had been done to the tunnel compartment.

Soon after the crash a party of AIF Engineers tried to extricate the bodies but this was not possible. This party destroyed all Radar, IFF, Radio, bombing equipment, maps and books, etc. They then used flares, flame-floats, etc. in an endeavour to burn the aircraft but were unsuccessful so they camouflaged it with trees, etc’.

The surviving crew each sustained various injuries with some deemed to be dangerous:

Fg Off. Dunn - Internal injuries;
Plt Off. Twist - Head injuries;
Sgt. Thompson - Fractured thigh and head injuries;
Cpl. Fenwick – Fractured arm, rib and head injuries;
Cpl. Yates - Head injuries;
Cpl. Wettenhall - Fractured rib.

On the 20th February 1944 the remains of Sgt Ward, Flt Lt. Clark and Fg Off. Potts were recovered from the wreckage, individually identified and buried in three graves with the aircraft wreckage to the rear and numbered left to right, one (1) to three (3) respectively.

Over the next sixteen (16) days the crew, except for Sgt. Thompson who remained at Kikiapaia, were transferred to Aita and then onto Sikoriapaia, West Bougainville from where their evacuation could be arranged.

On the 16th June 1943 at 09:30 hrs Sikoriapaia was attacked by approximately eighty (80) Japanese soldiers and forty (40) natives. Fg Off. Dunn was shot and killed during the attack, whilst Cpl. Fenwick and a Lt. Bedkober were captured and were last seen by natives in the BUKA area.

Cpl. Wettenhall with a Sgt. Day and another unidentified member from the Australian “M” Special Unit had left the village earlier in the morning heading for the Mount Balbi area to locate a camp. When they were about 45 minutes out from Sikoriapaia they heard the attack on the village and took cover in the jungle and fled the area.

Lt. Douglas Norman Bedkober NX26676;
Sgt. Day has not been identified.

Above: Lt. Douglas Norman Bedkober (from his service record)

Plt Off. Twist and Cpl. Yates escaped into the bush with three (3) AIF personnel. This party was reported to have been at a village in the Numa Numa area on or about the 10th July and that they were captured by the Japanese with assistance of the natives and were either taken prisoners or shot.

The three (3) AIF personnel, all from the Australian “M” Special Unit, were:

Sgt. William Victor Florance NX117833;
L/Sgt. Norman Bruce Martin NX166071;
Spr. Robert Anthony Cassidy NX151502.

Above left to right: Sgt. William V. Florance, L/Sgt. Norman B. Martin (from their service records)

On about the 17th June acting on instructions left by Lt. Bedkober, Sgt. Thompson accompanied by Sgt. McPhee and Sgt. Collier left Kikiapaia for Sikoriapaia. When the party was about ten (10) minutes from the village they noticed that it was in flames and on closer investigation for that Japanese troops were in occupation. They immediately fled into the jungle and headed for a village close to the west coast of Bougainville. On the 26th June they made contact with a Lt. Kennan.

Lt. Kennan, Sgt. McPhee and Sgt. Collier have not been identified.

On the 8th July they were joined by Sgt. Day and party including Cpl. Wettenhall. They were evacuated on the 24th July 1943 to Lunga, Guadalcanal. Sgt. Thompson and Cpl. Wettenhall returned to Australia on the 9th August 1943.

(1) Flt Sgt. Thompson was appointed to a commission on the 1st March 1944 and promoted to Plt Off. He was promoted to Fg Off on the 1st September 1944.

His appointment was terminated upon demobilisation from the RAAF on the 11th December 1945.

Frederick Gordon Thompson born on the 12th November 1916 in Adelaide, South Australia. Frederick passed away on the 13th April 2002 in Flagstaff, South Australia.

Ronald Hugh Alexander Wettenhall was born on the 4th November 1918 in Melbourne, Victoria. Ronald passed away on the 14th July 1988 in Narrawa, Holbrook, New South Wales, Australia.

(2) After the Japanese were defeated on New Britain it was found that there were only eight (8) surviving Allied PoWs at the Tunnel Hill PoW camp whereas it was expected to find a great many more. An investigation was instigated by the 18th Australian War Graves Unit to determine the fate of the PoWs that were thought to have been held on New Britain.

The investigation found that Cpl. Fenwick arrived in Rabaul with his arm in plaster. Capt. FUSHITA removed the plaster either breaking his arm again as he did so, or the break had not had sufficient time to knit completely. Cpl. Fenwick was later imprisoned at the Tunnel Hill PoW Camp.

Capt. (Rikugun-taisa) (Dr.) Shigeo FUSHITA was the Medical Officer (MO) at Rabual.

It was claimed by the Japanese that Cpl. Fenwick was amongst thirty-one (31) PoWs who were killed in an Allied air-raid on the 4th/5th March 1944. However, after interrogating Japanese officers and soldiers stationed at Rabaul during the war the investigation came to the conclusion that this claim was not credible and that the PoWs had been executed.

An overview of the investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and those deemed to be responsible for the executions and atrocities is summarised in the report entitled “Talili Bay Massacre, New Britain”.

(3) The fate of Cpl. Yates, Sgt. Florance AIF and Sgt. Martin AIF were unknown until a Military Tribunal was held on Manus Island, a province of Papua New Guinea, between the 12th July 1950 and 26th July 1950.

Four (4) Japanese nationals were charged on two (2) counts:

1st Count:

Committing a war crime that is to say murder in that they at or near Buin on Bougainville Island in or about the month of August 1943 murdered Sgt. Florance and Sgt. Martin of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) and Cpl. Yates of the RAAF then PoWs held in custody by the Japanese Armed Forces.

2nd Count:

Committing a war crime that is to say murder in that they at or near Ereventa on the Bougainville Island in or about the month of December 1943 murdered Maj. S. Wharton of the USAAF then a PoW held in custody by the Japanese Armed Forces.

Maj. Sidney Frank Wharton Jr. O-396501 USAAF was a Pilot assigned to the Headquarters, 13th Fighter Command, 13th Air Force. Also see Ser (4) below.

The four (4) accused were:

Former Lt Col. (Rikugun-Chūsa) MIYAKAWA Kiyoshi – Both counts;
Former Capt. (Rikugun-Tai-I ) FUKAYA Hiroshi – Both counts;
Former Sgt Maj. (Rikugun-Sōchō) SAKAMOTO Sadatoshi – Both counts;
Former Sgt Maj. (Rikugun-Sōchō) KANO Denroku – 1st Count.

The Japanese word Rikugun preceding a rank indicates that it relates to the army.

1st Count:

On the 1st Count the court heard that on or about August 1943 Lt Col. (Rikugun-Chūsa) MIYAKAWA, then a Maj. (Rikugun-Shōsa), was the Intelligence Officer at the Headquarters (HQ) of the 17th Japanese Army on Bougainville Island. The 17th Japanese Army was under command of 8th Area Japanese Army at Rabaul. Capt. (Rikugun-Tai-I ) FUKAYA was the Officer Commanding (OC) of the 17th Army Military Police and Sgt Maj. (Rikugun-Sōchō) SAKAMOTO and Sgt Maj. (Rikugun-Sōchō) KANO were members of the 17th Army Military Police at Maika, Bougainville Island.

In June or July 1943 the Japanese had seven (7) Australian PoWs at the 17th Army Military Police (MP) HQ at Maika. On orders received from 8th Area Army HQ, stated that only four (4) of the PoWs were to be sent to Rabaul on 20th July 1943.

The four (4) PoWs who were to be sent to Rabaul were:

Lt. Douglas Norman Bedkober NX26676 AIF. He died of illness and lack of medical care on 4th January 1944;
Spr. Robert Anthony Cassidy NX151502 AIF; See (5) below.
Cpl. John Fenwick 22352 RAAF; See Ser (2) above.

Plt Off. Twist was too ill to travel and died about one (1) week later whilst being evacuated to the HQ 17th Army hospital. He had been suffering with severe stomach trouble from the time of his arrival at Maika.

Early in August 1943 MIYAKAWA verbally ordered FUKAYA to execute the three (3) remaining Australian PoWs. FUKAYA protested and asked for the reasons and was informed by MIYAKAWA that it was an order of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 17th Japanese Army. FUKAYA, some days later, on representations of members of his unit, again protested and maintained that, in accordance with 8th Area Army orders, all PoWs should be sent to Rabaul.

This view had been put to him by KANO, who had a good knowledge of International law and Japanese Military Regulations, in the presence of SAKAMOTO. Thus all three (3) were aware that an execution was illegal. Despite FUKAYA’s protests, MIYAKAWA ordered the execution to proceed. FUKAYA, after a few days, ordered SAKAMOTO, KANO and a Cpl. UCRINASI, who was since deceased, to execute the prisoners by decapitation.

At around 02:00 hrs on the 10th August 1943 Sgt. Florence and Sgt. Martin and Cpl. Yates were blindfolded and with their hands tied were escorted from their cell to a place approximately 50 metres SW of the MP Prison. The three (3) accused each executed an Australian in the presence of FUKAYA and other Japanese. The first two (2) PoWs were claimed to have been cleanly executed but the third, believed to be Cpl. Yates, was not and was killed by gunshot by a Auxiliary MP Superior private (Rikugun Nitō-Gunsō) by the name of TAKADA.

Several Japanese soldiers by the name of TAKADA were interrogated but were eliminated from the investigation. Efforts to trace the individual concerned were not successful.

The bodies buried and a tree planted on top of their common grave. Shortly after the cessation of hostilities in August 1945, a Capt. ITO was instructed by MIYAKAWA to exhume the remains of the three (3) executed PoWs and re-inter them at a different place. ITO was also instructed by MIYAKAWA to inform all his subordinates that if ever questioned about this matter by the Australian authorities, they were to say that the three (3) executed PoWs had been lost whilst in sea passage from Bougainville to Rabaul.

Capt. (Rikugun-Tai-i) ITO Tacihi was not before this court for his part in the executions. However, a Military Commission in Yokohama, Japan tried him in connection with his part of the death of Maj. Wharton, for which he was sentenced on 7th October 1948 to one (1) year imprisonment. Additionally he had also been tried for the deaths of other PoWs on Bougainville and was acquitted.

In due course ITO, with the aid of his subordinates, had the remains exhumed and, on his own initiative, cremated. The ashes were kept by him for a period of about three (3) or four (4) days, after which they were wrapped in a blanket and, under his supervision, re-interred at a site approximately 500-600 metres to the north of the MP HQ. The place of final burial was located near the base of a tree fern approximately seven (7) metres away from the right bank of a small stream. This tree fern was the only one of its kind in that vicinity. An oral report concerning these matters was then made to MIYAKAWA by ITO.

It was contended by the prosecution that MIYAKAWA ordered the execution without reference to a higher authority. This view was supported by a statement by Col. TAMAKI, at the time Acting Chief of Staff at the HQ 17th Japanese Army, that he had never heard of the executions and never saw any documents or orders in connection with the matter. He also stated that MIYAKAWA requested him to give evidence to the effect that he had seen the execution order issued by Gen. (Rikugun-Taishō) MYAKATAKE, since deceased, who was the GOC, of the 17th Japanese Army.

2nd Count:

On the 2nd count, there was evidence that towards the end of November 1943 Maj. Sidney Wharton USAAF was captured by Japanese Forces and was eventually brought to Bougainville Island under the custody of the Military Police unit commanded by FUKAYA.

In December 1943 MIYAKAWA had instructed a Capt. (Rikugun-Tai-I ) ITO, who was OC of 17th Japanese Army MP, to execute Maj. Wharton. ITO then ordered FUKAYA to carry out the execution. FUKAYA strongly protested and delayed putting the order into effect and eventually ITO ordered SAKAMOTO to execute Maj. Wharton, SAKAMOTO refused but subsequently consented to do so. Maj. Wharton, who had not been court martialled and had committed no offence.

At the end of December 1943 Maj. Wheaton was blindfolded, had his hands tied behind him was then taken into the jungle some 300 metre distant from the Ereventa MP detachment and there executed by SAKAMOTO in the presence of FUKAYA and other Japanese.

It is not known if his remains have been recovered but he is listed as Missing in Action (MiA) on the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) site.

Evidence was produced to show that, on the cessation of hostilities, MIYAKAWA instructed all persons having a knowledge of the incident to say that Maj. Wharton was killed whilst attempting to escape. TAMAKI again refused to fall into line with this request. The Defence contended in connection with the first charge that MIYAKAWA merely forwarded the order of his GOC and that when he expressed his opinion that the execution of the three (3) Australian PoW should not be carried out, it was rejected by the GOC. MIYAKAWA endeavoured to suspend the execution and should not have to bear the whole responsibility as TAMAKI, as Chief of Staff, must have known about it. FUKAYA had protested against and delayed the execution, but had been forced to choose between carrying out the illegal order or defying it and inviting his own death for insubordination. Both SAKAMOTO and KANO had simply carried out orders although they knew the execution was unlawful. They were compelled to obey orders. In connection with the second charge the defence argues that, as in the first charge, the accused had to carry out the order of a authority although they had resisted it as far as they could.

The court found all four (4) guilty of the charges brought against them and sentenced MIYAKAWA to life imprisonment, FUKAYA to ten (10) years, SAKAMOTO to seven (7) years and KANO to five (5) years imprisonment.

(4) Capt. Sidney F. Wharton Jr. was the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron “Hoot Owls”, 18th Fighter Group, 13th Fighter Command, 13th Air Force from the 4th September 1942 to 18th February 1943. Based at Kipapa Gulch, Hawaii equipped with the P-70 (night-fighter variant of the A-20 Havoc). He was promoted to Maj. on the 9th July 1943.

Maj. Wharton was listed on the 20th October 1943 morning report for Headquarters (HQ) 13th, Fighter Command at station Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. The HQ for the Command was based at Pekoa, also known as “Bomber Field #2”, from 22nd January to December 1943.

From various investigation files and trial records it has been established that on the 16th November 1943 he was flying out of Munda Airfield in the Solomons. He was last seen five (5) miles north of Ballale. His aircraft crashed in the sea between Shortland and the Fauro Islands south of Bougainville. He was captured between Shortland and Ballale and was taken to the 17th Army HQ at Maika on Bougainville Island.

Above: Courtesy of the El Paso Herald Post, dated 22nd September 1943

The aircraft he was flying is unknown as there was no Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) raised for his loss. However, what is known is that the 13th Air Force had detachments from the 4th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Sqn, flying the F-5A Lightning (Reconnaissance version of the P-38G), that arrived at Munda Airfield on the 13th October 1943, and the 347th Fighter Group, 67th Fighter Sqn, flying the P-39 Airacobra, that arrived on the 28th October 1943.

His brother 1st Lt. Gordon Held Wharton O-736921 served as a B-17 Navigator with the 390th Bombardment Group (H) in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). He also served in Korea and retired as a Capt. and was awarded the DFC with Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal with six (6) Oak Leaf Clusters, the last three (3) were awarded for Korea.

(5) Spr. Cassidy was transferred from Bougainville to Rabaul by destroyer on the 20th August arriving there the next day. He was then transferred by ship to Japan on the 13th November 1943 arriving there on the 8th December and was transferred by train to Omori To-1 (Main Camp), Tokyo.

The Japanese interrogators were mistakenly informed that Spr. Cassidy was Lt. Bedkober, who was the officer in charge the section of Australians that had been captured. After questioning him at length they realised their mistake.

On the 31st May 1945 he was transferred by train to Sendai 10B, Wagakawa arriving there the next day. He was the only Australian listed in the roster of this PoW camp. On the 15th September 1945 he was liberated and returned to Australia.

Robert Anthony Cassidy was born on the 5th April 1922 in Paddington, New South Wales, Australia. Robert passed away on the 27th June 2018 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Burial details:

On the 20th February 1944 the remains of Sgt Ward, Flt Lt. Clark and Fg Off. Potts were recovered from the wreckage, individually identified and buried in three graves with the aircraft wreckage to the rear and numbered left to right, one (1) to three (3) respectively.

Fg Off. Dunn was buried where he fell by the Japanese. However, the natives of the village relocated his remains to a grave at Sikoriapaia.

The location of a grave for Fg Off. Twist is not known. It was claimed by the Japanese that Maj. Wharton Jr. had been buried near the 17th Army Headquarters at Miaka. A search of the Maika area was made in November 1948 but his remains were not found.

Crew:

Flt Lt. William James Clark. Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, B4.E.19. Born on the 6th May 1917 in Bundaberg, Queensland. Grave Inscription: “FOREVER WITH THE LORD”. Son of William Henry and Ann Johanna (née Christensen) Clark of Windsor, Queensland, Australia.

Fg Off. John Nigel Elmhirst Potts. Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, B4.F.3. Grave Inscription: “NON OMIS MORIETUR” ("I shall not wholly die"). Born on the 14th July 1921 in Rylestone, New South Wales. Son of William Elmhirst and Iris Rose (née Barr) Potts of Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Fg Off. Clifton Stuart Dunn. Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, B4.F.4. Born on the 17th August 1908 in Rylstone, New South Wales. Son of Athelstane Andrew and Emily Oliva P. (née White) Dunn. Husband of Florence Emily (née Bushman) Dunn of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Fg Off. Colin James Twist. Port Moresby Memorial, Panel 9. Born on the 10th April 1918 in Perth, Western Australia. Son of Frank William George and June Edith (née Linklater – deceased January 1931) Twist. Husband of Lotus Mary (née Bence) Twist of Cammeray, New South Wales, Australia.

Sgt. Dudley James Ward. Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, B4.E.20. Grave Inscription: “REST IN PEACE”.Born on the 6th August 1909 in Sydney, New South Wales. Son of Horton and Catherine Elizabeth Ward of Kingsford, New South Wales, Australia.

Above Rabaul (Bita Pita) War Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Cpl. John Fenwick. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery Coll. Grave E.C. 5-11. Grave Inscription: “HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE EVER REMEMBERED”. Born on the 12th March 1917 in Brisbane, Queensland. Son of Oliver Charles and Frances Jane Fenwick of Hawthorne, Queensland, Australia.

Above: Port Moresby Memorial (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Cpl. Herbert Yates. Port Moresby Memorial, Panel 9. Born on the 25th February 1909 in Auckland, New Zealand. Son of John and Selina Lee Yates of Summer Hill, New South Wales, Australia.

AIF Personnel:

Lt. Douglas Norman Bedkober. Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, E.D.15. Grave Inscription: “CALLED BY GOD TO HIGHER SERVICE”. Born on the 20th April 1918 in Sydney, New South Wales. Son of Carl Francis and Ethel Grace Bedkober of Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia.

L/Sgt. Norman Bruce Martin. Port Moresby Memorial, Panel 9. Born on the 22nd September 1916 in Sydney, New South Wales. Son of Emanuel and Adelaide Elizebeth Martin of Drummoyne, New South Wales, Australia.

Sgt. William Victor Florance. Port Moresby Memorial, Panel 9. Born on the 3rd January 1922 in Bondi, New South Wales. Son of Victor Aikman and Jean Florance of Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.

USAAF:

Above: Maj. Sidney F. Wharton Tablets of the Missing (Courtesy of the American Battlefield Monuments Commission (ABMC))

Maj. Sidney Frank Wharton Jr. Air Medal, Purple Heart. Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. Born on the 6th January 1918 in Douglas, Cochise, Arizona. Son of Col. Sidney Frank Wharton Sr. and Effie Mae (née Held) Wharton of El Paso, Texas, USA.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and those that were murdered, and their families (Dec 2025). Addition of PoW detail to Spr. Cassidy entry (Feb 2026).

Thanks to The War Graves Photograph Project (TWGPP) (Insert Link) for their great work.

Other sources listed below:

References:

Investigation File: NAA: 336/1/1345 Part 6.

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