Australian Airmen who Died While Serving in Ireland
Sergeant Clifford Gurney Fort. Age 21. Died on 31st July 1942 when Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh based Sunderland Flying Boat number W4025 was shot down in error by ‘friendly fire’ from an Allied shipping convoy. In poor weather it was mistaken for an enemy plane
Sergeant Vivian Lewis. Age 21. Died in the same incident. They have no known grave.
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Sergeant George Wilson Lowther. Age 25. Died on 30th December 1942 when Lough Erne based Catalina number FP239 crashed at Reaghan Hill, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.
Buried in the Church of Ireland Cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.
Flight Lt. George Hilton Sansome. Died on 7th November 1943 when Halifax Bomber number EB 134 based at Rufforth, York, England crashed at Barnderg, Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.
Sergeant Allan Stewart Johnston. Died on 7th November 1943 in above crash.
Both buried in the Church of Ireland cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.
Flight Lt. Anthony Joseph Gallagher. Died on 7th November 1943 in above crash.
Buried in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.
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Sergeant John George Ley. Age 25. Died on 22nd November 1943 when Lough Erne based Catalina number FP240 failed to return from Atlantic patrol, possibly shot down by enemy action.
Sergeant Owen Douglas Hodgkison. Died on 22nd November 1943 as above.
Both have no known grave.
Flying Officer Frank Moss. Age 29. Died on 5th December 1943 when Lough Erne based Sunderland number W6013 crashed at Knockalyd Mountain, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. Buried in Church of Ireland Cemetery, Irvinestown. Co. Fermanagh.
Flight Sergeant Alfred Frank Sherry. Age 20. Died on 9th January 1944 when Lough Erne based Catalina FP193 crashed into Lough Erne near Boa Island.
Buried in Church of Ireland cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.
Pilot Officer William John Sharp. Age 21. Died on 20th November 1944 when Lough Erne based Catalina number JX 242 crashed at Lough An Laban, Church Hill, Co. Fermanagh. It was returning from Atlantic patrol and was almost at base when it crashed on a hill top. Buried in the Church of Ireland cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.
Flight Lt. John Percival Garrand. Age 32. Died on 14th March 1945 when Lough Erne based Sunderland number ML743 struck a mountain near Killybegs, Co. Donegal.
Buried in the Church of Ireland Cemetery, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.