Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) B T McLaughlin (left), a Catholic RAAF Chaplain, and Flt Lt T W Scott ...

Places
Accession Number 119863
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white
Physical description Black & white
Maker Dimond, P A
Place made Netherlands East Indies: Halmahera Island, Morotai Island
Date made 25 October 1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) B T McLaughlin (left), a Catholic RAAF Chaplain, and Flt Lt T W Scott (right) an Anglican RAAF Chaplain lead the funeral procession for two Australian Spitfire pilots. 405875 Flt Lt B B (Barney) Newman, 79 Squadron, of Ayr, Qld, was killed in action during a strike against a radio station in the Wasile Bay area of the Halmaheras on 2 August 1945, he was 79 Squadron's last casualty of the war. The casket containing his cremated remains was carried by 408021 Squadron Leader Ken E James, Commanding Officer of 79 Squadron (right, behind Flt Lt Scott). 432589 Flt Lt E McL (Mac) Stevenson, 452 Squadron, of Dubbo, NSW, died on 14 April 1945 in captivity on Halmahera after being tortured by the Japanese. He was captured when he was forced to ditch his Spitfire on a reef close to shore during a strike against Japanese installation on Ternate Island on 13 January 1945. The casket carrying his remains was carried by 443666 Flight Sergeant Robert J (Bob) Davies (left, behind Flt Lt McLaughlin).