| Accession Number | P03901.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | Syria: North Syria, Palmyra |
| Date made | September 1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Outdoors portrait of 415152 Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Ray Kelly (left) and his cousin 406332 ...
Description
Outdoors portrait of 415152 Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Ray Kelly (left) and his cousin 406332 Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) George Henry Kirkby, RAAF, Wireless Air Gunner (WAG) of Kalgoorlie, WA, standing outside LAC Kelly's family home at Palmyra, just prior to LAC Kelly commencing training with 9 Elementary Flying Training School (9EFTS) at Cunderdin, WA. On June 26 1942, Flt Sgt Kirkby, 104 Squadron RAF, and another crew member were killed in action, when their Wellington Mk II (8572) aircraft was bombed as they prepared for takeoff at 12.15 am at LG25 (Landing Ground 25), near El Daba, Egypt. When the bomb exploded, the aircraft burst into flames, trapping Flt Sgt Kirkby and the navigator. The four remaining crew members managed to escape as other explosions rocked the aircraft. Flt Sgt Kirkby was buried at LG 106 the same day and is commemorated on the El Alamein Memorial in Egypt. LAC Kelly flew extensively in the Pacific, flying Lockheed Hudson and Consolidated Liberator aircraft.