COPPIN, William Hodgson

Plane was a Lockheed Hudson A16-101 which took off from 7-Mile Drome on a night bombing mission over Gasmata Airfield. The aircraft failed to return and was later discovered had reached the target and crashed onto a coral reef off Gasmata. Also lost was Hudson A16-165. Four crew were lost. The wreckage of the plane was discovered by RAAF Searcher team led by S/L Keith Rundle in 1945. Sadly Sgt Coppin had been married a week before he died.

Last Name
COPPIN
Given Names
William Hodgson
Service Number
406773
Date of Birth
05/09/1920
Birth Location
Port Hedland W.A
Enlistment Date
31/03/1941
Enlistment Location
Perth
1Wags Start Date
01/05/1941
Course Details
WAGS Course 13
Intake Date
01/05/1941
Finish Date
20/10/1941
To
2 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
03/03/1942 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
32 SQN
Rank
Sergeant
Operations
Missing air ops. From the Territory of New Guinea
Date of Death
03/03/1942
Age
21
Cemetery / Memorial
Rabaul Memorial Cemetery New Guinea
Medals
Air Gunners badge 1939-45 star Pacific star war medal
Notes

Plane was a Lockheed Hudson A16-101 which took off from 7-Mile Drome on a night bombing mission over Gasmata Airfield. The aircraft failed to return and was later discovered had reached the target and crashed onto a coral reef off Gasmata. Also lost was Hudson A16-165. Four crew were lost. The wreckage of the plane was discovered by RAAF Searcher team led by S/L Keith Rundle in 1945. Sadly Sgt Coppin had been married a week before he died.

Posting on Death
32 Squadron
NAA Status
DIGITIZED

Acknowledgements

National Archives of Australia - 1 WAGS BallaratUBC Web Design - 1 WAGS BallaratCity of Ballarat - 1 WAGS BallaratAPCO Alfredton - 1 WAGS BallaratDepartment of Veterans Affairs - 1 WAGS BallaratAustralian War Memorial - 1 WAGS BallaratRSL Virtual War Memorial - 1 WAGS Ballarat