A WORLD War II bomber and four crew members missing for 81 years have been discovered in the waters south of Gasmata in Papua New Guinea.
The 100 Squadron Beaufort aircraft (A9-186) find was made by an Ocean Ecology dive team working for Andrew Forrest whose uncle, Flying Officer David Forrest, was lost during a mission to Gasmata while piloting a similar RAAF 100SQN Beaufort.
Two members of the RAAF Directorate of Historical Unrecovered War Casualties (HUWC) accompanied the mission to provide historical aviation expertise and support.
The A9-186 wreck site lies in 43 metres of water, which meant identifying the remains of the aircraft took much effort.
Air Marshal Chipman said the mission involved specialist divers working on the aircraft that had been extensively damaged by fire and covered in layers of sediment and marine growth.
“The aircraft identity plate and cockpit lever were recovered from the site and will be returned to Australia under a permit granted by the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG),” Air Marshal Chipman said.
“Small amounts of bone material recovered during the identification mission were analysed by anthropologists and DNA specialists.
“A Defence Identification Board identified the remains as those of Warrant Officer Clement Batstone Wiggins and Warrant Officer Russell Henry Grigg.
“No remains of the other two crew members, Flight Sergeant Albert Beckett, and Flight Sergeant Gordon Lewis Hamilton were recovered.”
The crew of the Beaufort was Warrant Officer Clement Batstone Wiggins. Born in Gatton, he worked as a schoolteacher before enlisting in Brisbane in March 1941. Warrant Officer Wiggins was 28 years old when killed in action.
Warrant Officer Russell Henry Grigg. Born in Brisbane, he worked as a fruit grower before enlisting in Brisbane in March 1941. Warrant Officer Grigg was 34 years old when killed in action.
Flight Sergeant Albert Beckett. Born in Tasmania, he worked as an apprentice carpenter before enlisting in Tasmania in November 1941. Flight Sergeant Beckett was 22 years old when killed in action.
Flight Sergeant Gordon Lewis Hamilton. Born in Brisbane, he worked as a baker’s assistant before enlisting in Brisbane in July 1941. Flight Sergeant Hamilton was 26 years old when killed in action.
A memorial service for the families of all four crew is being planned for April 26 at RAAF Base Amberley.
