BEAUFIGHTER CRASHED ON TAKEOFF
AT MILLINGIMBI, NT
ON 25 SEPTEMBER 1943

Mark VIC Beaufighter, A19-116 (RAF Serial No. JL582) of 31 Squadron RAAF, piloted by Mr. Taylor, crashed on takeoff at Millingimbi airfield on 25 September 1943. All the crew were killed in this accident.

The aircraft had been delivered to the RAAF in May 1943. The records of 4 RSU show that they carried out salvage operations on this aircraft in November 1943.

The 4 deceased crew members were as follows:-

In Memory of

DONALD GORDON TAYLOR

Flying Officer
406738
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Saturday, 25th September 1943. Age 26.

Son of Norman Gordon and Frances Taylor; husband of Doreen Lydia Taylor, of Mount Lawley, Western Australia.

Cemetery: ADELAIDE RIVER WAR CEMETERY, Northern Territory, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: C.A.3.

In Memory of

NATHANIEL ROSS BEGGS

Leading Aircraftman
40978
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Saturday, 25th September 1943. Age 21.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Beggs, of Tunstall, Victoria.

Cemetery: ADELAIDE RIVER WAR CEMETERY, Northern Territory, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: C.A.6.

In Memory of

JOHN RONALD GORTON

Corporal
19218
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Saturday, 25th September 1943. Age 29.

Son of John Alfred and Emily Kate Gorton, of East Malvern, Victoria.

Cemetery: ADELAIDE RIVER WAR CEMETERY, Northern Territory, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: C.B.11.

In Memory of

RONALD ARTHUR HOCKING

Flying Officer
39161
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on
Saturday, 25th September 1943. Age 24.

Son of William Arthur and Clara May Hocking; husband of Olive Lavinia Hocking, of Rose Park, South Australia.

Cemetery: ADELAIDE RIVER WAR CEMETERY, Northern Territory, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: C.B.10.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Phil Herdman of the Arnhem Land Historical Society for details on the above incident.

REFERENCE BOOK
"Beaufort, Beaufighter and Mosquito - In Australian Service"
By Stewart Wilson

"Restore to Service - Unit History 4 RSU-482 Maintenance Squadron"
By Walter Venn

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 December 1999

This page last updated 21 February 2020