CRASH OF A LOCKHEED HUDSON
30 MINUTES FROM MILLINGIMBI, NT
ON 28 APRIL 1943

On 28 April 1943, RAAF Lockheed Hudson Mark IIIA,Model No. 414-56, A16-241 (RAF FH204) (#41-37005) from No. 2 Squadron RAAF, took off on a reconnaissance flight from Hughes airfield in the Northern Territory. Last contact was made with the aircraft when it was about 30 minutes from Millingimbi in the Northern Territory on it's return from its recce flight.

A16-241 had been originally delivered to the RAAF on 20 May 1942.

The following is from the AWM Roll of Honour Database. It shows the members of 2 Squadron that died on 28 April 1943. It may be possible that they all died in the crash of A16-241. Still to be confirmed. Can anyone help me to confirm this?

Norris, Roy Edgar
Number:  414157
Rank: Sergeant [Sgt]
Unit: 2 Sqn
Service RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death: Millingimbi
Cause of Death: Accidental
Memorial Panel: 98
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

Ryan, Ronald Drinkwater
Number: 404989
Rank: Pilot Officer [PO]
Unit: 2 Sqn
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death: Darwin Area
Cause of Death: Flying Battle
Memorial Panel: 98
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

Cutten, Harry Edgar
Number: 3403
Rank: Warrant Officer [WO]
Unit: 2 Sqn
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death: Celebes
Cause of Death: Flying Battle
Memorial Panel: 98
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

James, Ralph Reginald
Number:  408811
Rank: Flying Officer [FO]
Unit: 2 Sqn
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death: Arafura Sea
Cause of Death: Flying Battle
Memorial Panel: 98
AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

Keech, Kenneth Gordon
Number:  8966
Rank: Flight Sergeant [Flt Sgt]
Unit: 2 Sqn
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death:  Celebes
Cause of Death: Flying Battle
Memorial Panel: 98
AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

Reen, Patrick Stanislaus MID
Number:  412185
Rank: Flight Sergeant [Flt Sgt]
Unit:  2 Sqn
Service: RAAF
Conflict:  1939-1945
Date of Death: 28/04/1943
Place of Death:  Millingimbi, NT
Cause of Death:  Accidental
Memorial Panel: 98
AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force

The following is from the Commonwealth War Graves site:-

In Memory of

ROY EDGAR NORRIS

Sergeant 414157
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 20.

Son of Frank Edgar and Georgina Norris, of Winton, Queensland, Australia.

Memorial: AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Column 10.

Location: Ambon Island lies close to the south west coast of Ceram in the Molucca Group of Islands. It is reached by air from Jakarta with connecting flights at Ujung Pandang in Sulawesi (Celebes). The Ambon Memorial, which is in the form of a shelter, stands on the first terrace in Ambon War Cemetery (known locally as the Australian Cemetery), which is on the opposite side of the bay to the airport.

In Memory of

RONALD DRINKWATER RYAN

Pilot Officer 404989
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 26.

Son of Robert Sylvester and Nellie Ryan, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; husband of Eileen Irene Lydia Ryan, of Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia.

Memorial:AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number:Column 9.

In Memory of

HARRY EDGAR CUTTEN

Warrant Officer 3403
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 29.

Son of Harry Beechworth Cutten and Christina Alice Cutten; husband of Constance Evelyn Cutten, of Esperance, Western Australia.

Memorial: AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Column 9.

In Memory of

PATRICK STANISLAUS REEN

Flight Sergeant 412185
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 25.

Son of Jeremiah Vincent and Elizabeth Reen, of Casino, New South Wales.

Memorial:AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Addenda Panel.

In Memory of

KENNETH GORDON KEECH

Flight Sergeant 8966
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 25.

Son of Leslie William and Alice Ross Keech; husband of Elizabeth Keech, of St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia.

Memorial: AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Column 9.

In Memory of

RALPH REGINALD JAMES

Flying Officer 408811
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Wednesday, 28th April 1943. Age 31.

Son of William Sandry James and Ethel May James; husband of Beryl Isobel James, of Yungaburra, Queensland, Australia.

Memorial: AMBON MEMORIAL, Indonesia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Column 8.

Subject:   Details of Lockheed Hudson A16-241 missing 28 Apr 43
Date:       Tue, 20 Mar 2001 15:21:22 +1100
From:       Ben Norris <bnorris@daronmont.com.au>

Dear Sir,

I am seeking information on behalf of my father who lost a cousin Mr Roy Edgar Norris, SGT 414157 during WWII. My search of the internet and the few details my father has given me indicates Roy may have been a member of 2SQN serving as a radio/gunner on Hudsons. I have not been able to conclusively make the association between Roy and the Hudson or 2SQN, however his date of listed missing (28 Apr 43) matches the Hudson A16-241 listed as being involved in an aircraft incident in the northern territory.

I have some interest in RAAF history myself and served for 17 years in the RAAF. I was also lucky enough to be involved in the discovery of a Beaufighter that had been missing on Bathurst Island of Darwin. The aircraft was found as a road was been made to support the deployment of a radar I was project manager for.

I would deeply appreciate any assistance you could provide me as resolution of the unknowns are important to my father who is now of poor health.

Kindest Regards

Kent Norris

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 20 March 2001

This page last updated 02 February 2020