27 DECEMBER 1944
CRASH OF A BEAUFORT
NEAR LOWOOD, QLD

Bristol Beaufort

RAAF Beaufort, A9-642 of 32 Squadron RAAF at Lowood was reported missing 27 December 1944 while on a submarine hunting mission north east of Brisbane. It took off from Lowood at 1853 hours on 27 December 1944. The weather deteriorated and the aircraft was recalled to base at 7:41pm. Contact was lost with the aircraft 50 minutes after take off from Lowood. The RAAF continued to try to contact the aircraft by radio until 3:45am the next morning. An extensive search was carried out the next morning in the vicinity of the last known position of 26 degrees 55 minutes South and 154 degrees, 05 minutes East. The search was continued all day over a wide area without any result.

One of those lost in this aircraft was Flying Officer John Ashhurst Ward (407656) who had enlisted in the RAAF on 7 December 1940.

A search of the AWM Honour Roll showed the following other three RAAF personnel from 32 Squadron who were killed on that same day. A search of the Commonwealth War Graves then revealed the following:-

In Memory of

JOHN ASHURST WARD

Flying Officer
407656
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Wednesday, 27th December 1944. Age 27.

Son of Samuel and Mary Ward, of Prospect, South Australia.

Memorial: SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 5.

In Memory of

ALLAN GORDON MUNRO

Flying Officer
411596
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Friday, 27th October 1944. Age 25.  (Possibly the wrong date)

Son of Murray Richard and Elsie Lucresia Munro; husband of Gladys Mary Munro, of Dubbo, New South Wales.

Memorial: SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 5.

In Memory of

ALAN RICHARD HAMMOND STONE

Flying Officer
412039
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Wednesday, 27th December 1944. Age 28.

Son of Thomas Charles and Alice Maud Mary Stone; husband of Betty Ian Kenilworth Stone, of Woollahra, New South Wales.

Memorial: SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 5.

In Memory of

ALFRED ASHTON YOUNG

Flying Officer
437028
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Wednesday, 27th December 1944. Age 29.

Son of Alfred and Dorothy Ashton Young; husband of Anne Joan Young, of Coogee, New South Wales.

Memorial: SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 5.

Subject:    Beaufort Crash
Date:             Sat, 24 Jun 2000 18:18:16 +1000
From:           "Anthony Scanlan" abrm@bigpond.com

Hi,

My partners's great uncle was a crew member of this flight. I have his service record here and I will attach it to this message. We would appreciate any information you have on this crash. John Ashhurst Ward's brother and sister are still alive and would love to have any information that you have.

Thank you,

Anthony Scanlan and Belinda Ward

REFERENCE BOOK

"Aircraft and Markings of the RAAF 1939 - 1945"
By Geoffrey Pentland

SOURCE:-   Aircraft Crash Sites - Australia

Crash:         No. 48

Position:     27.27 - 152.35

Department of Aviation Chart No:       3340

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 18 June 1999

This page last updated 20 February 2020