As the resident pointed out ‘there are probably many people in town unaware of the war graves due to the fact much of the ANZAC Day commemoration services take place either at Memorial Hill or Cooke Park.’

With this in mind, we contacted Mr Terry Knowles (Honorary Secretary, Parkes RSL Sub Branch) who collated information on each of the war graves located within the special compound. 

Terry said that earlier he had prepared a list for Parkes Shire Council of those killed or who had died during World War II to be used as a memorial in the new airport building.

‘When I started to get the list together and added Tony Danilenko and Dougie Powter who were both killed in Vietnam, I realised they were not simply names  engraved on marble headstones but were real people with parents and families.

‘I decided to research each of them to get and record as much information as I could to honour them.

‘I searched the Australian War Memorial Roll Of Honour, RAAF Aircraft serial numbers, National Archives of Australia for the information.

‘This is the result of that research. 

‘It is however, unlikely to be complete.’

PARKES WAR GRAVES

By Terry Knowles, Hon. Secretary, Parkes RSL Sub Branch 

Every Anzac Day at 10.45am, the Parkes RSL Sub Branch makes a pilgrimage to the Parkes Cemetery to honour and lay wreaths on the graves of servicemen interred in the War Graves section and other denominational areas of the cemetery.

The War Graves are generally located in a fenced compound along the first road to the left once you pass the statue of the World War I Digger.

There are 18 graves within this compound that contain the graves of servicemen who were killed or died within the Parkes area - particularly those who lost their lives during training at the Parkes RAAF Training Base during World War II.

The two Parkes soldiers killed during the Vietnam War - Captain Anatoly Danilenko and Private Douglas Roy James Powter - are interred in the Parkes General Cemetery.

Office of Australian War Graves lists the following at the Parkes Cemetery:

Parkes War Cemetery and Parkes General Cemetery

61516 Sergeant William Charles ARTHUR was killed on 15 June, 1942, aged 35 while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Sergeant W C Arthur was the son of Edmund William, and Margaret Ann Arthur, of Prospect, South Australia and is interred in Methodist Plot. Sec. R Grave 16 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Sergeant W C Arthur was killed at 1015 hours when DC-2-112 Douglas Dakota Aircraft No. A30-7 crashed landed from 200 feet, a quarter of a mile from boundary fence during a series of take-off and landing exercises at Parkes, NSW.  

The aircraft was totally destroyed.  

Two were killed including passenger Sgt W C Arthur, three seriously injured and six slighty injured.

- - - - - 

416736 Sergeant Keith ARTHUR died on 25 December, 1942, aged 22 while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Sergeant K Arthur was the son of Robert Roy and Lucy Arthur, of Booleroo Centre, South Australia. 

Husband of Ruth Arthur, of Graceville, Queensland and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 1 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Sergeant K Arthur died at Parkes from an unspecified illness.

- - - - - 

415890 Flying Officer Thomas Anthony BISHOP was killed on 21 August, 1943, aged 20, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flying Officer Bishop was the son of William James Bishop and Fanny Bishop, of Fremantle, Western Australia, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 2 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flying Officer Bishop was killed in a flying accident on “Kroonsadt” Station one mile east of the Bogan Road about 18 miles NNW of Parkes.

He was flying as Second Pilot in CA-6 Wackett Trainer Aircraft No. A3-104 during forced landing and aerobatics training.

First Pilot 416637 Flight Sergeant JR Weir was slightly injured.

- - - - - 

QX23867 Sergeant Ernest Leonard BOYD died on 1 May, 1947, aged 29, while serving in the Army at Parkes, NSW.

Sergeant Boyd was the son of Hans Christian and Daisy Bird Boyd, of Kalinga, Queensland and is interred in Plot A. Row A. Grave 2 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Sergeant Boyd died of unspecified injuries.

- - - - - 

61059 Aircraftman 1st Class Robert Patrick CARNEY was killed on 9 May, 1942, aged 19, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Aircraftman 1st Class Carney was the son of George and Beatrice May Carney, of Coonabarabran and is interred in R.C. Plot. Sec. A.C. Grave 12 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Aircraftman 1st Class Carney was killed at about 0145 hours at a satellite field approximately 15 miles from RAAF Station Parkes.  

He was struck on the head by the propeller of the starboard engine of A4 Avro Anson Aircraft No. AW800 and subsequently died of his injuries.

- - - - - 

235250 Captain Anatoly DANILENKO MID (Post.) was killed in action on 25 April, 1968, aged 25, while serving with the AATTV in South Vietnam, Vietnam.

Captain Danilenko was the son of Joseph and Feodosa Danilenko of Parkes, NSW, and is interred in C. of E. (New) Row: B of Parkes General Cemetery

Captain Danilenko was killed north of Dak Pek in Kontum Province Vietnam when a patrol of Montagnard troops he was leading was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army force.

Captain Danilenko was shot and killed while trying to extricate his troops.

- - - - - 

443813 Pilot Officer William Ernest Lyall FOSTER was killed on 29 May, 1945, aged 28, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Pilot Officer Foster was the son of William Ernest and Winifred Elizabeth Foster, of Sydney. Husband of Rosemary Veronica Foster, of Roma, Queensland and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 9 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Pilot Officer Foster killed when CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-82 he was flying was in a mid air collision with a CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-17 being flown by 431676 Flying Officer C N Weatherson near the Parkes Gunnery site while on a reconnaisance flight.

It crashed about 10 miles NE of Parkes and was destroyed by fire.  

Flying Officer C N Weatherson was also killed

- - - - - 

449074 Sergeant Victor Morwick FRY was killed on 24 June, 1945, aged 24, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Sergeant Fry was the son of Victor Charles and Anne Eileen Fry, of Northcote, Victoria and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 15 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Sergeant Fry was killed when Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-71 in which he was flying as Navigator and which was flown by 29256 Warrant Officer MP Watson collided with Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-93 five miles southeast of Parkes.

Also killed were Pilot Warrant Officer MP Watson and the Pilot, 427225 Flying Officer SR Roberts, and the Navigator, 430916 Flight Sergeant D Lorraine, of A8-93.

- - - - - 

VX500480 Lance Corporal Stanley Eric GAYLARD died on 24 June, 1946, aged 19, while serving in the Army at Parkes, NSW.

Lance Corporal Gaylard was the son of Robert Charles Henry and Elizebeth May Gaylard, of East Coburg, Victoria, and is interred in Plot A. Row A. Grave 1 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Lance Corporal Gaylard died at Bogan Gate, the cause was not recorded.

- - - - - 

411897 Leading Aircraftman George Campbell GRAY was killed on 25 June, 1942, aged 26, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Leading Aircraftman Gray was the son of Roland Vectis Gray and Elizabeth Jane Gray, of Kew, Victoria, and is interred in Presbyterian Plot. Sec. C1. Grave 2 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Leading Aircraftman Gray was killed in a crash of Wackett Trainer CA-6 Aircraft No. A3-106 flown by 415284 Pilot Officer WB Stubbs that crashed as a result of unknown circumstances during a training exercise about 36 km from Forbes killing both men.

- - - - - 

403736 Flight Lieutenant Leonard Keith HARRIS was killed on 21 August, 1945, aged 28, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flight Lieutenant Harris was the son of Aubrey Gladstone Harris and Rebecca Jane Harris, of Sydney. 

Husband of Patricia Jean Harris, of Elizabeth Bay and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 16 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flight Lieutenant Harris was killed when P-40M-10-CU Kittyhawk Aircraft No. A29-349 he was flying, attempted to land immediately after take-off and during the landing ran into a tree stump and burnt at Parkes killing him.

- - - - - 

430916 Flight Sergeant Daniel LORRAINE was killed on 24 June, 1945, aged 25 while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flight Sergeant Lorraine was the son of Cosmo Fraser Lorraine and Anne Dorothy Lorraine, of East Melbourne, Victoria, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 14 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flight Sergeant Lorraine was killed when Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-93 in which he was flying as Navigator and being flown by 427225 Flying Officer SR Roberts collided with Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-71 five miles southeast of Parkes.

Also killed were the Pilot, Flying Officer SR Roberts, and the Pilot, 29256 Warrant Officer MP Watson, and the Navigator, 449074 Sergeant VM Fry, of A8-71.

- - - - - 

435243 Flying Officer Murdoch Ian Lochghair MACIVER was killed on 6 June, 1945, aged 20, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flying Officer MacIver was the son of Murdoch and Frances Maude MacIver, of Mackay, Queensland and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 11 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flying Officer MacIver was killed when CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-7 he was flying during a gunnery practice exercise crashed some seven miles NE of Parkes airstrip and burned out.

- - - - - 

439490 Leading Aircraftman Lance Alexander McNAMARA was killed on 18 April, 1944, aged 18, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Leading Aircraftman McNamara was the son of Walter and Annie Louisa McNamara, of Moree and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 6 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Leading Aircraftman McNamara was killed when CA-9 Wirraway Aircraft No. A20-452 he was flying in as Navigator on night cross country navigation exercise crashed and burned at South Circle Park south of Forbes.

The Pilot, 439507 Leading Aircraftman AE Williams, was also killed.

- - - - - 

N391419 Private Samuel PAGE died on 8 March, 1945, aged 57, while serving in the Army at Parkes, NSW.

Private Page was the son of Henry and Alice Page. 

Husband of Mary Lanyon Georgina Page, of Maclean and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 8 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Private Page died of unspecified injuries.

- - - - - 

2782783 Private Douglas Roy James POWTER, a National Serviceman, died of wounds on 7 February, 1967, aged 21, while serving as a National Serviceman with D Company 6RAR in South Vietnam, Vietnam

Private Powter was the son of Gloria Maria Sullivan of Parkes, NSW, and is interred the C. of E. (Old) Section Row GN Plot 5 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Private Powter was wounded on the morning of 6 February, 1967, by artillery fire from 161 New Zealand Field Battery when it fell short in 6RAR D Company's location, killing four other D Company soldiers, including Private POWTER.  

He died on the 7 February, 1967, from his wounds. 

- - - - - 

427225 Flying Officer Stanley Russell ROBERTS was killed on 24 June, 1945, aged 21 while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flying Officer Roberts was the son of William Alexander and Cecil May Roberts, of North Cottesloe, Western Australia, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 12 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flying Officer Roberts was killed when Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-93 he was flying collided with Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-71 five miles southeast of Parkes.  

Also killed were his Navigator 430916 Flight Sergeant D Lorraine and the Pilot, 29256 Warrant Officer MP Watson, and the Navigator, 449074 Sergeant VM Fry, of A8-71.

- - - - - 

20748 Sergeant Arthur John STRATTON was killed on 4 January, 1944, aged 23, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Sergeant Stratton was the son of John and Beatrice Bella Stratton, of Enfield, New South Wales and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 3 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Sergeant Stratton was killed while flying as a telegraphist in CA-6 Wackett Trainer Aircraft No. A3-161 that crashed at 0845 hours while flying at a low level during a ferry flight. 

The Pilot, 412773 Flight Sergeant Walford, was also killed

- - - - - 

415284 Pilot Officer William Bowe STUBBS was killed on 25 June, 1942, aged 25, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Pilot Officer Stubbs was the son of William and Margaret Ada Stubbs. 

Husband of Kathleen Joyce Stubbs, of South Perth, Western Australia, and is interred in C. of E. Plot. Sec. 224. Grave 4 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Pilot Officer Stubbs was the Pilot of a Wackett Trainer CA-6 Aircraft No. A3-106 that crashed as a result of unknown circumstances during a training exercise about 36 km from Forbes killing him.  

411897 Leading Aircraftman GC Gray flying as crew was also killed.

- - - - - 

N199092 Driver John Henry WAKEFIELD died on 20 May, 1942, aged 29, while serving in the Army at Parkes, NSW.

Driver Wakefield was the son of Mr and Mrs J. W. Wakefield, of Parkes, New South Wales and is interred in R.C. Plot. Sec. AC. Grave 11 of Parkes General Cemetery.

Driver Wakefield died from unspecified injuries.

- - - - - 

412773 Flight Sergeant Cecil George WALFORD was killed on 4 January, 1944, aged 25, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flight Sergeant Walford was the son of George Abram Walford and Dorothy Walford, of Sydney. 

Husband of Doris Lillian Walford, of Thornleigh, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 4 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flight Sergeant Walford was the Pilot of CA-6 Wackett Trainer Aircraft No. A3-161 that crashed at 0845 while flying at a low level during a ferry flight.

Telegraphist 20748 Sergeant AJ Stratton flying as crew was also killed.

- - - - - 

435058 Flying Officer Arthur WATKINS was killed on 7 December, 1944, aged 24, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flying Officer Watkins was the son of George and Fanny Louisa Watkins, of Euroa, Victoria and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 7 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flying Officer Watkins was killed at 0710 hours on 7 December 1944 when CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-32 he was flying collided in mid-air with CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-36 piloted by 20531 Flying Officer HJ Kidd during a Section Combat exercise during the breakaway from an attack on the target aircraft about 15 miles north east of Parkes airfield near Peak Hill in New South Wales.

Pilot Officer Arthur Watkins appeared to have left his burning aircraft with his parachute and clothes on fire and was subsequently killed.  

Flying Officer Kidd was thrown clear of his aircraft and parachuted to safety.

 - - - - - 

29256 Warrant Officer Morris Pearce WATSON was killed on 24 June, 1945, aged 24, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Warrant Officer Watson was the son of William John and Hilda Blanche Eva Watson, of Albany, Western Australia, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 13 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Warrant Officer Watson was killed when Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-71 he was flying collided with Bristol 186 Beaufighter Aircraft No. A8-93 five miles southeast of Parkes.  

Also killed were his Navigator, 449074 Sergeant VM Fry and the Pilot, 427225 Flying Officer SR Roberts, and the Navigator, 430916 Flight Sergeant D Lorraine, of A8-93.

- - - - - 

431676 Flying Officer Charles Neil WEATHERSON was killed on 29 May, 1945, aged 21, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Flying Officer Weatherson was the son of Charles Edward and Bertha Stuart Weatherson.

Husband of Yvonne Mary Grant Weatherson, of Glebe, New South Wales, and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 10 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Flying Officer Weatherson was killed when CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-17 he was flying was in a mid air collision with a CA-12 Boomerang Aircraft No. A46-82 being flown by 443813 Pilot Officer WEL Foster near the Parkes Gunnery site while on a reconnaisance flight.

It crashed about 10 miles NE of Parkes and was destroyed by fire.

- - - - - 

439507 Leading Aircraftman Arthur Edward WILLIAMS was killed on 18 April, 1944, aged 22, while serving in the RAAF at Parkes, NSW.

Leading Aircraftman Williams was the son of Arthur Heber Williams and Elsie Janet Williams. 

Husband of Margaret Williams, of Maroubra and is interred in Plot A. Row D. Grave 5 of Parkes War Cemetery.

Leading Aircraftman Williams was killed when CA-9 Wirraway Aircraft No. A20-452 he was flying on night cross country navigation exercise crashed and burned at South Circle Park south of Forbes.  

His Navigator, 439490 Leading Aircraftman LA McNamara, was also killed.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

LEST WE FORGET