P 0 Box 1161
Goulburn NSW 2580
    26 May 1999

Mr Peter Dunn
PO Box 2263
Runcorn Qld 4113

Dear Peter

At long last I am able to produce some information, in respect of my late uncle John Frederick Summers, which I feel could be used to extend your Web page.

The following is enclosed:

- Copy of his Statement of Service as provided by RAAF records.

- Photographs taken whilst in training at Narromine.

- Copies of letters that my Grandfather received in relation to my uncle's death.

- Extract from log book on date of death.

In addition to the information enclosed I am providing other information which you may find useful.

My late uncle was born on 5 October 1916 at Randwick NSW. He was raised on a farm at Alymerton NSW (located in Southern Highlands). He was the eldest of two children of my grandparents Jack and Ada Summers. The other sibling being my mother Joan who was born in 1922 and is still living.

He received his primary education at Alymerton Public School and then his secondary education at Bowral High School graduating with Leaving Certificate. When he completed school it was at the time of the Depression and he waited 18 months to secure employment as a bank clerk with Bank of NSW. He had postings to Wagga Wagga, Ganmain, Urana and Bungendore. The latter being from where he enlisted.

During his period of RAAF service my uncle wrote regularly to my Grandparents. I am in possession of many of his letters. In one he mentioned of getting engaged to an English lass.

I am also in possession of his log book and list the following entries in respect of his operational experience:

    12/04/42 - Le Harve
    24/04/42 - Dunkirk
    04/05/42 - Stuttgart
    30/05/42 - Cologne
    01/06/42 - Essen
    03/06/42 - Bremen
    18/06/42 - Gardening Freisian Islands
    19/06/42 - Emden
    21/06/42 - Gardening (Recalled due to blowing exhaust stub on take off)
    25/06/42 - Bremen (1000 raid)
    26/06/42 - Gardening
    02/07/42 - Bremen
    21/07/42 - Duisberg
    31/07/42 - Dusseldorf
    04/08/42 - Gardening - St Nazaire
    05/08/42 - Gardening
    09/08/42 - Osanbruck
    11/08/42 - Mainz
    12/08/42 - Mainz
    27/08/42 - Kassel - Aircraft failed to return.

On his last mission my uncle was the pilot. Other crew members were P/0's F.E. Parsons and F.C. Pinfold and Sgt's N.G. Bass, R.J. Munro and Tubman (NOTE:- Tubman is not shown in the Roll of Honour in the book "Strike and Return" All the others are listed.)

Peter, I trust that this information is of use to you and that you will obtain as much enjoyment in reading as I have in compiling it. As previously stated in one of my E Mails you are to be congratulated on a fine effort.

I have never had any military service but in addition to my Uncle my Grandfather (Father's father) served in 1 st Light Horse during World War 1 and my father served in 2/19 Battalion AIF. He was a POW of Japs for 3 years 7 months and served on Burma Railway and in shipyards and coalmines in Japan. He is still living but in ill health.

I know you will take good care of the enclosed and return it to me as soon as possible.

Kindest regards

Howard Bye

Dear Mr. Summers,

It is with much regret that I have to confirm the sad news that your Son, AUS 403152 - P/0 Summers, J, F., has been reported "Missing on operations against the enemy" on the 27th August, 1942.

From the enclosed Confidential Notice you will gather that I am not allowed at present to give further details.

The keen and conscientious manner in which he carried out his duties as Pilot will make his loss all the more deeply felt in the Squadron.

Your Son's personal effects have been collected and placed in safe keeping with the R.A.F. Central Depository, Colnbrook, Slough., Bucks., who will in due course communicate with you.

It is of some consolation to know that quite a number of airman reported missing are eventually found to be prisoners of war, and I sincerely hope it will be my pleasure to let you have such good news of your Son and others of his-crew before long. In the meantime on behalf of. all members of the Squadron may I offer our deep sympathy with you in your anxiety for his safety.

Mr. F.J.R. Summers,
Rassendyll,
Aylmerton, N.S.W.,
AUSTRALIA

C 0 N F I D E N T I A L        N 0 T I C E

The names of all who lose their lives or are wounded or reported missing while serving with the Royal Air Force will appear in the official casualty lists published from time to time in the Press.

Any publication of the date, place or circumstances of a casualty, and particularly any reference to the Unit concerned, might give valuable information to the enemy, and for this reason, only the name, rank and service number are included in the official lists.

Relatives are particularly requested, in the national interest, to ensure that any notices published privately do not disclose the date, place or circumstances of the casualty, or the Unit.

The Press have been asked to co-operate in ensuring that no information of value to the enemy is published,

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:
"AIRFORCE MELBOURNE"

IN REPLY QUOTE   RAAF.163/57/220 (11A)

Casualty Section,          
DEPARTMENT OF AIR         
Merton Hall,         
30941                      Melbourne       Anderson Street,          
South Yarra.         
S.E.1.        

Dear Sir,

I refer to previous communications concerning your son, Pilot Officer John Frederick Summers, who is missing as a result of air operations on the 27th August, 1942.

I greatly regret to inform you that enquiries have so far failed to disclose any information concerning your son. News has been received that one of the members of your son's crew is a prisoner of war in Germany, and efforts are now being made through the International Red Cross Committee to secure a report from this member concerning the operations of the 27th August, 1942.

You may rest assured that any further information which may be received will be conveyed to you immediately.

May I again express the sincere sympathy of this Department with you in your great anxiety.

Yours faithfully,                                     
                           

St 4691

AREA FINANCE OFFICE

7TH FLOOR, THE BLOCK

426 GEORGE STREET.

SYDNEY

9th August, 1945         

Mr. F.J.R. Summers,
"Rassendyll",
AYLMERTON, N.S.W.

No. 402683 T/SGT. TUBMAN,  W.H.

It is advised that your communication dated 6th August, 1945, in respect of the abovenamed member. has been forwarded for the attention of the Officer-in-Charge, R.A.A.F. Records, Melbourne.

Your faithfully,                                                

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:
"AIRFORCE MELBOURNE"

IN REPLY QUOTE   163/57/220 (47A)

14819

DEPARTMENT OF AIR

MELBOURNE, C.1

    May ??? 1949

Dear Sir,

I refer to previous correspondence with regard to your late son, Flying Officer John Frederick Summers.

A report has been received from the Missing, Research and Enquiry Service which states that the aircraft crashed at Gladbeck, which is a town about nine miles in a northerly direction from Essen, Germany, and that all the occupants were killed instantly.

The bodies of your son and his four comrades were buried by the Germans in the Cemetery at Gladbeck. On exhumation it was unfortunately not possible to establish the individual identity of any member of the crew. They have therefore been laid to rest in the Reichswald Forest British Military Cemetery, in Plot 35, Row B, Multiple Grave Numbered 15 and 16. Reichswald Forest is in Germany near the Dutch Border about forty miles north west of Duisburg. The grave will be cared for in perpetuity by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

I desire to assure you of the sincere sympathy of this Department in your great loss.

Yours faithfully,                                        

Mr. F.J.R. Summers,
Main Street,
MITTAGONG.   N.S.W.

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