Alcorn, James William
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | James William |
Surname | Alcorn |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Date of Death | 25-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Robert Elderslie Alcorn and Alma Mildred Alcorn, of Robertson, New South Wales, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JB460 |
Markings | UL-V2 |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 258. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 1 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 421873 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 576 |
Squadron Motto | Carpe diem (Seize the day) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | All Saints Church, Elsham, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | Dedicated to all who served at RAF Elsham Wolds on 103 7 576 Squadrons 1941-45 |
Location | Water Treatment Works, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memo and Propeller Sculpture |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who served at R.A.F. Elsham Words 1941 - 1945 |
Location | All Saints Church, Elsham, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the Airmen of 576 Sqn who gave their lives in 1939 - 45 War |
Miscellaneous Information
This was the crew's first operation |
James was born at Casino NSW on 10 October 1923. At the end of 1924 the family moved to Bellingen, taking over the mail and passenger contract between Bellingen and Dorrigo. James enlisted in April 1942, joining the Civilian Air Force in the Empire Air Training Scheme aged 18 and giving his occupation as lorry driver. He worked for the Kangaloon Motor Transport Company, a cooperative in which the family had been involved since its formation in 1913. In late April 1942 he was given a goodbye party, involving music, competitions and games and was presented with a fountain pen and pencil, with all good wishes. At some time before leaving he also received a parcel from the local Women’s Voluntary Services and a money belt from the Robertson Welfare League. |
James is commemorated on the Robertson NSW Honour Roll (outside the School of Arts) and a memorial plaque at St Mark's Church Cemetery (Pioneer Cemetery) East Kangaloon, NSW. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2047/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2047/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-06-1944 |
End Date | 25-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Elsham Wolds |
Day/Night Raid | Night (17% moon) |
Operation | Flers Constructional Works in the Pas de Calais, France |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace. Probably shot down by Ernst-Georg Drünkler of 1/NJG5 in an attack at 2800m, 10km west of Berck-sur-Mer (c.10km south of Le Touquet), i.e. over the English Channel. This was his 15th claim. |