Arnold HINCHLIFFE
Year of Birth: 1910
Place of Birth: Halifax, England
Date of Enlistment: 1 April 1941, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Australian Defence Force: Royal Australian Airforce
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Unit(s): No. 20 Squadron
Service Number: 411106
Died: 13 April 1943
Age: 32 years
Buried: Cairns War Cemetery – Plot A – Row B – Grave 1
Arnold was born 30 May 1910, Halifax, England to William Arnold and Elizabeth (Edwards) Hinchliffe.
He enlisted 1 April 1941 in Sydney, his age, 30 yrs 10 mths, occupation was a business agent, single and gave his father Mr. W A Hinchliffe, Hotel Gordon, Goulburn, NSW as his next of kin, later changed to Terminus Hotel, Albury, New South Wales. His height was 5 feet 5½ inches, with medium complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.
Flight Lieutenant Hinchliffe’s death was accidental, he was killed on an air operation, Cairns Harbour. Also killed were Sergeant Lenard Carr Airman pilot, Flight Officer Leslie Lancedene Henstridge WAG, Sergeant James Vernon Stothard Lahey navigator, Corporal Harold McGillivray fitter, LAC Malcolm Frederick Merrett fitter. Three survived, Sergeant George Geffrey Suckling WOAG – seriously injured, Corporal Lawrence Edwin Webber – fitter 11A – slightly injured, Leading Aircraftman Murray Lochart Byham – Amourer – seriously injured.
The Catalina of 11 Squadron RAAF, crashed into Cairns Harbour on a return from a night-time search patrol. They had flown for 23 hours 23 minutes and ran out of fuel.
Arnold Hinchliffe’s name is on Sydney Roll of Honour board and also located at panel 101 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.
Online Resources
NAA: A9300, (HINCHCLIFFE Arnold) National Archives of Australia
Department Veterans’ Affairs Nominal Rolls
Queensland Registrar of Births Deaths & Marriages
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