The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (429501) Warrant Officer Leslie Hunter Jorgensen, No. 92 Squadron, Second World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berelle, the story for this day was on (429501) Warrant Officer Leslie Hunter Jorgensen, No. 92 Squadron, Second World War.

429501 Warrant Officer Leslie Hunter Jorgensen, No. 92 Squadron
Accidentally killed 3 September 1945
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 30 March 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Warrant Officer Leslie Hunter Jorgensen.

Leslie Jorgensen was born on 4 November 1923 to Leslie and Wilhelmina Jorgensen. Born in Helensburg, New South Wales, he grew up in Brisbane, where he attended Ascot State School and then the Church of England Grammar School in Brisbane East. Following his education he became a bank clerk in the Union Bank of Australia.

Leslie had to wait until he turned 18 in November 1941 before he could enlist. He spent 11 months in the army before he was able to transfer to the Royal Australian Air Force. Jorgensen was a keen student and applied himself well but was considered "a rather negative personality". He demonstrated average or slightly above average ability as a pilot but lacked forcefulness and leadership skills, and it was considered best to continue his training rather than giving him a commissioned rank. His progress was further impaired by an extended illness.

In December 1944 Jorgensen was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer, and continued further training. On 2 September 1945 Warrant Officer Jorgensen flew a Beaufort to Narrandera from Kingaroy in Queensland to take an aircraftman to his mother's funeral.

The following day, while waiting to return to Queensland, Jorgensen took another Beaufort up with six passengers, all from the Narrandera Air School. He flew them low over Narrandera several times, skimming buildings and treetops and attracting an audience. The townspeople watching were horrified to see it disappear suddenly on the edge of town. Their fears were confirmed when the wreckage of the Beaufort was found. As Jorgensen had turned his aircraft, its wing had clipped the high-tension power lines, and the plane disintegrated instantly. Parts were scattered over a distance of 400 yards, including the petrol tank, which went through the wall of a cottage and narrowly missed its occupants.

The air accident occurred the day after Japan formally signed the surrender document officially ending the war. The seven young men killed in the accident were given an impressive funeral by the people of Narrandera. Warrant Officer Jorgensen was 21 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, along with around 40,000 others from the Second World War. There is no photograph in the Memorial's collection to display beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Warrant Officer Leslie Hunter Jorgensen, his six passengers, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in the service of our nation.