CRASH OF A BEAUFORT
ON MOUNT BEST NEAR TOORA
11 MILES NORTH OF WELSHPOOL
ON 23 AUGUST 1943

Bristol Beaufort

RAAF Mark VIII Bristol Beaufort, A9-311 crashed and was destroyed by fire on Mount Best near Toora in Victoria (11 miles north of Welshpool) on 23 August 1943. 

Bristol Beaufort A9-311

A number of the this crew had been in another crash in Beaufort, A9-159 on 20 August 1943 at East Sale.

The whole crew were killed as follows:-

F/Sgt. William McQueen
SGt. Jeffrey Arthur Silcock
Sgt. Howard Raymond Boys
Sgt. John Frederick Godfrey

This aircraft was delivered to the RAAF in May 1943.

In Memory of

WILLIAM McQUEEN

Flight Sergeant
414256
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Monday, 23rd August 1943. Age 22.

Son of Robert Brown McQueen and Frances Selina McQueen, of East Ipswich, Queensland.

Cemetery: SALE WAR CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Plot B. Row A. Grave 8.

William McQueen was educated at Church of England Grammar School (now Anglican Church Grammar School) Brisbane 1935-1937 and his sacrifice is commemorated on a Memorial in the school grounds which may be viewed at https://churchieoldboys.com.au on the Honour Roll section in Old Boys History and Archives.

In Memory of

JEFFREY ARTHUR SILCOCK

Sergeant
426694
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Monday, 23rd August 1943. Age 21.

Son of William Walter Edwin and Jeannie Margaret Silcock; husband of Jessie Isabella Silcock, of Grandchester, Queensland.

Cemetery: SALE WAR CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Plot B. Row A. Grave 9.

In Memory of

HOWARD RAYMOND BOYS

Sergeant
426519
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Monday, 23rd August 1943. Age 24.

Son of Howard Houry Boys and Ada Isabella Boys, of Hermit Park, Queensland.

Cemetery: SALE WAR CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Plot B. Row A. Grave 10.

In Memory of

JOHN FREDERICK GODFREY

Sergeant
424406
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Monday, 23rd August 1943. Age 19.

Son of Clifford Stanley and Lily Florence Godfrey, of South Lismore, New South Wales.

Cemetery: SALE WAR CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Plot B. Row A. Grave 11 .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The above information was kindly supplied by John Keane of Hughesdale, VIC and Rick Hanning of Churchill, VIC.

I'd like to thank David Park for providing the information regarding William McQueen's education at the C of E Grammar School in Brisbane.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 11 April 2000

This page last updated 04 March 2020