EASTWOOD, Basil Gilbert

Plane was a Boston A28-3 engaged in a bombing raid on the Japanese held Salamaua Isthmus in New Guinea. Just as the plane dropped its bombs hitting the building it burst into flames. Two crew Flt/Lt Newton the pilot and Flt/Sgt Lyon escaped the plane but Sgt Eastwood did not escape. Newton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery after he had been beheaded by the Japanese as a POW.

Last Name
EASTWOOD
Given Names
Basil Gilbert
Service Number
13055
Date of Birth
26/02/1912
Birth Location
Healesville VIC.
Enlistment Date
14/02/1941
Enlistment Location
Melbourne
1Wags Start Date
18/09/1941
Course Details
WAGS Course 18
Intake Date
18/09/1941
Finish Date
06/04/1942
To
2 BAGS
Kill Date or Discharge Date
18/03/1943 (Killed)
Discharge Unit
22 SQN
Rank
Sergeant
Operations
Air ops. Salamaua Isthmus New Guinea
Date of Death
18/03/1943
Age
31
Cemetery / Memorial
Lae Memorial Papua New Guinea
Medals
AIr Gunners badge 1939-45 Pacific War medal
Notes

Plane was a Boston A28-3 engaged in a bombing raid on the Japanese held Salamaua Isthmus in New Guinea. Just as the plane dropped its bombs hitting the building it burst into flames. Two crew Flt/Lt Newton the pilot and Flt/Sgt Lyon escaped the plane but Sgt Eastwood did not escape. Newton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery after he had been beheaded by the Japanese as a POW.

Posting on Death
22 Squadron
NAA Status
DIGITIZED
External Links
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RELAW...
https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/...
1WAGS - EASTWOOD Basil Gilbert - Service Number 13055

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