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FSGT · 408165

Ralph Ernest Waters

Squadron/s
452 SQN
Rank On Discharge/Death
Flight Sergeant (FSGT)
Mustering / Specialisation
Pilot
Date of Birth
26 Apr 1916
Date of Enlistment
31 Jan 1941
Date of Death
10 Apr 1942
Contributing Author/s
David Hamilton and Phil Listemann

Updated by Vince Conant

September 2013

The Spitfire Association


Ralph WATERS, was born on the 26 April, 1916 at Armadale Victoria and enlisted on the 31 January, 1941, at Hobart Tasmania.

During a squadron formation practice from base to St-Bee’s Head, Sgt. WATERS was first seen lagging in formation. After the squadron had been given the order to break and had reformed again, it was observed that Sgt. WATERS was nowhere to be seen, and did not return to base as many were thinking he had done.

Later the Coast Guards confirmed that a Spitfire had been seen crashing into the sea about eight miles south west of St-Bee’s Head. However, no trace could be found of either his body or aircraft. Ralph WATERS was a native of Victoria, Australia, and had just joined the Squadron.

Service number: 408165
Rank: Sergeant
Unit: 452 Squadron
Service: Royal Australian Air Force
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of death: 10 April 1942
Place of death: United Kingdom
Cause of death: Accidental
Cemetery or memorial details: Runnymede Memorial, United Kingdom
Source: AWM148 Roll of Honour cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force
Ralph Waters, may you rest in peace

Squadron in which Ralph served