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Vernon Harold Minchin

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Vernon Harold Minchin
Minchin Vernon Harold.jpg
King's Park memorial walk
Personal Information
Date of Birth 26 Mar 1918
Place of Birth Bickley, Western Australia
Death 29 Oct 1944
Place of Death North Sea during a raid on Bergen Norway
Age at Enlistment 22 years, 11 months
Description 5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 168lbs
76.203 kg
; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; Appendix scar
Occupation Bank clerk
Religion Methodist
Address Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Wife , Mrs Dora Florence Minchin
Military Information
Reg Number W9118 & 436054
Date of Enlistment 6 Mar 1941 & 2 Nov 1942
Rank Private & Flight Sergeant
Unit/Formation 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlanders Regiment) & No. 50 Squadron (RAF)
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 12 Dec 1943 ‒ 26 Jan 1944
Post War Details
Fate Missing presumed KIA 29 Oct 1944
Monument(s) Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England, United Kingdom Panel 261
Australian War Memorial Australian War Memorial
Medals 1939-45 Star
France & Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45



Pre War

Vernon attended the Wagerup State School from Feb 1930 until Dec 1931 and then the Bunbury High School from Feb 1932 until Dec 1935. In November 1933 he was awarded the Junior Certificate of Education having passed English, Maths A, Maths B, Mechanical Drawing, Metal Work, Physics, Chemistry, Geography and History. He had failed French! In November 1935 he had passed the Leaving Certificate, with passes in English, Maths A, Maths B, Applied Maths, Geography, and Mechanical Drawing.


Vernon was a casual junior employee for the Western Australian Government Railways at their Dwellingup Mills operation from 30 Jul 1936 until 15 Aug 1936. He had also worked for the Forestry Department as a clerk, and prior to enlisting, Vernon was a Bank clerk with the Bank of NSW (Westpac).

Electoral Roll entries: 1943 Armadale, bank clerk

War Service

Enlisted in the CMF on 6 Mar 1941 and served in HQ Company of 16th Australian Infantry Battalion (Cameron Highlander's Regiment) as a Signaler until 31 Oct 1942, after which he joined the RAAF. Married Dora T Kershaw on 31 Jan 1942 in West Perth. Vernon was discharged from the Army on 31 Oct 1942 in order to enlist in the RAAF.


Vernon entered the RAAF on 2 Nov 1942 via No. 5 Enlistment Depot in Perth. Five day's later he joined the No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF at Clontarf, and on graduation he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman and sent on 4 Feb 1943 to the No. 9 Elementary Flight Training School RAAF at Cunderdin. Not destined to be a pilot, on 25 May 1943 he joined the No. 1 Air Observers School RAAF at Cootamundra New South Wales, followed on 23 Aug 1943 by the No. 2 Bombing & Gunnery School RAAF at Port Pirie in South Australia. Now a trained Navigator, he was granted his Navigator's Badge. The next step in his training was the No. 2 Air Navigation School RAAF at Nhill in Victoria from which he graduated in late November 1943, and promoted Temporary Sergeant. On 26 Nov 1943 he marched into the No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF at Bradfield Park in New South Wales to await a ship to the UK.


On arrival in the UK on 26 Jan 1944 he was sent to No. 11 Personnel Despatch & Receiving Centre RAAF. His next step was to attend the No. 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit RAF from 28 Mar until 1 May 1944, and the next day to No. 16 Operational Training Unit RAF, with his course concluding on 18 Jul 1944. During this time, on 11 May 1944, his rank was upgraded to Temporary Flight Sergeant.


Vernon joined No. 50 Squadron RAF on 28 Sep 1944 flying in Avro Lancaster aircraft. Following the Allied invasion of France, the Germans had moved their U-boat operations to an expanded facility in Bergen, Norway. As a result in October 1944 the British carried out a bombing raid seeking to destroy the facilities. On the 29th October 1944 Vernon and his crew participated in a second raid, with 244 aircraft (237 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitos). Due to dense clouds only 47 dropped their bombs before the raid was aborted. Four hits were recorded to the U-boat pens without causing further damage. Bombing again became scattered and fell in the main town area killing a total of 52 civilians and two Germans. Three planes were lost on this second raid, Vernon's included. The second raid had been a failure, as had the first one, so another raid followed in January 1945 with slightly more success. Vernon's records included a notation that he was "Presumed dead by OHQ 29.10.44".

  • Runneymeade Memorial - west of London
  • Minchin Vernon Harold 2.jpg


Son Brian Ernest was born on 25 Nov 1943.

Notes

It appears that he was working in the Armadale Branch at the time of his original enlistment and early CMF service. Dora's address was c/- Post Office Wagin, so perhaps living with her family while he was overseas.


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