Brasher, Edward Keith Forbes Died

Back

Personal Information

Rank F/S
Forename(s) Edward Keith Forbes
Surname Brasher
Gender M
Age 25
Decorations DFM
Date of Death 13-09-1942
Next of Kin Son of Albert Edwald Joshiah and Amy Brasher, of Windsor, Queensland, Australia.
BRASHER EKF

Aircraft Information

Aircraft Vickers Wellington lV
Serial Number Z1385
Markings UV-Z

Memorial Information

Burial/Memorial Country Germany
Burial/Memorial Place Sage War Cemetery
Grave Reference 11. B. 9.
Epitaph GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN

IBCC Memorial Information

Map
Directions to panel 12
BRASHER EKF

Location

Row -
Panel 12
Column -
Line -

Directions From the Chadwick Centre, take the central path towards The Spire.

Phase 1
Panel Number 12

Enlistment Information

Service Number 404949
Service Royal Australian Air Force
Group 1
Squadron 460 (Australian)
Squadron Motto Strike and return
Trade Pilot
Country of Origin Australia

Other Memorials

Location Adjacent to Clubhouse, Breighton Airfield, East Yorkshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Inscribed Marble Tablet
Memorial Text A memorial to those who served at Breighton during WW2, including 460 Sqn RAAF
Location Junction of Kirmond Rd (B1203) & Orford Rd, Binbrook, Lincolnshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Inscribed Stone Memorial
Memorial Text A memorial to 460 Sqn RAAF which operated from Breighton and Binbrook 1941-1945
Location Church of St. Mary & St. Gabriel, Binbrook, Lincolnshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Stained Glass Window, RoH and Sqn Badge
Memorial Text Memorial to 460 Sqn RAAF which served at Binbrook between 1941 and 1945
Location Former ATC Signals Square, Brookenby Industrial Estate, Lincolnshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Inscribed Metal Plaques
Memorial Text Memorials to the aircrew and groundcrew of 460 Sqn RAAF who served at Brookenby, 1942-1943
Location Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Brookenby, Lincolnshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Inscribed Metal Plaques
Memorial Text Memorials to the aircrew and groundcrew of 460 Sqn RAAF who served at Brookenby, 1942-1943
Location In front of the mess esplanade, Mailly-le-Camp, 10 - Aube Prefecture
Country France
Memorial Type Stone memorial sculpture, inscribed marble tablets and inscribed metal plaque
Memorial Text En souvenir des heros de la RAF. Qui ont participe au bombardment du camp de Mailly. Unites de la RAF engagees dans le raid sur Mailly-le-Camp, la nuit du 3 au 4 May 1944. N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617- 619-625-626-627-648
Translation "In memory of the RAF heroes who took part in the bombing of Mailly Camp. RAF units engaged in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp, the night of 3-4 May 1944. Squadrons that took part: N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617-619-625-626-627-648"
Location Bawtry Hall, Bawtry, South Yorkshire
Country United Kingdom
Memorial Type Inscribed Marble Tablet
Memorial Text In memory of those who did not return 1939 - 1945

Miscellaneous Information

DFM Citation: BRASHER, Edward Keith Forbes. Aus.404949 Sergeant, R.A.A.F., No. 460 (RAAF) Sqn. (Immediate) L.G. 11/9/1942. Sorties 7, Flying hours 42.15. Pilot. Air2/4900. During an operation against Düsseldorf on 15th August 1942, Sergeant Brasher, an Australian, was the captain of a Wellington bomber which was twice attacked by enemy fighters during the operation. The first attack was made by an unidentified aircraft on the way to the target and a burst of cannon and machine gun fire damaged the tailplane. Undaunted and with cool determination Sergeant Brasher carried on and bombed the target. On the return journey when about 20 miles North West of Düsseldorf, a Ju.88 attacked the Wellington from astern and slightly below and again the Wellington was damaged and a bullet, piercing the armour-plated doors, wounded the Wireless Operator who was observing from the astra-hatch. Sergeant Brasher took avoiding action and, in so doing, gave the rear gunner the opportunity to fire a long burst into the fuselage of the enemy aircraft which went into a steep climbing turn and, stalling, fell away enveloped in flames. Considerable damage was sustained by the Wellington and, the hydraulic system damaged, necessitated flying home with bomb doors open and lowering the undercarriage by use of the emergency system on return. Throughout, Sergeant Brasher showed a fine offensive spirit, outstanding coolness and presence of mind. 21st August, 1942. Remarks by Station Commander. By his complete disregard of enemy opposition, this N.C.O. has displayed commendable courage and devotion to duty. His skill and determination in action have been an inspiration to his crew, thereby contributing in a large measure to the morale of his squadron. I strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. Remarks by A.O.C. This Australian captain demonstrated his determination and fine fighting spirit by carrying on a further 40 miles and bombing his target after his aircraft had been damaged by an enemy fighter. Subsequent to this, he fought his way back to this country and claims a Ju.88 shot down in flames, a member of his crew being wounded in this engagement. This comparatively inexperienced pilot has set a magnificent example to the remainder of his squadron which has already reached a high standard of operational efficiency. Strongly recommended for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.

The National Archives

Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1907/14
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1907/14

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.

Name Outcome
Bennett K C (F/S) Died
Crowther A D (Sgt) Died
Johnson D W (Sgt) Died
Monk W J C (Sgt) Died

Last Operation Information

Start Date 13-09-1942
End Date 14-09-1942
Takeoff Station Breighton
Day/Night Raid Night (13% moon)
Operation Bremen
Reason for Aircraft Loss Failed to return to base following Ops to Bremen and crashed near the target area.
Start new losses database search Back
 
 
 
 

Please Wait

Casualty Pack

IBCC is delighted to introduce a unique facility to link the Losses Database to the relevant RAF Casualty Pack on the National Archives website. This project is the result of on-going collaboration between IBCC, the MOD Records Office and National Archives, Kew. This document describes what Casualty Packs are, when they were created, the process of making them available to the public and then goes on to describe the process by which you can view the contents of the packs. Casualty Packs (CPs) were created by the RAF whenever there was serious injury or loss of life associated with operational activity within the RAF. This includes operational flying losses, enemy action due to air raids, road accidents either on station or even off-station if they involved RAF vehicles. Deaths due to natural causes in service or accidents that did not involve RAF vehicles did not generally give rise to a CP.

CPs were originally given a unique reference number by the RAF. Each begins with the letter ‘P’ and is followed by six digits, then an oblique (forward slash) and the finally the year in which the incident took place- for example P396154/42.

The CPs are in the process of being made available to the general public as they are passed from the MOD Records Office, Portsmouth to National Archives, Kew. This process requires some rework to the files which is very time consuming, so the process of making them all available to National Archives will take several years. They are being made available in increasing date order.

Once CPs arrive at National Archives they are assigned a unique AIR81 number, so each CP has both a P-number and an AIR81 number. Both are searchable on the National Archives website under ‘Search the catalogue’ and both are included on the IBCC website.

The AIR81 reference on the IBCC website is a link to the file on the National Archives website. When you click on it, the relevant page will open in a new tab on your browser.

There is currently no plan to digitise AIR81 files, partly because they are fragile and partly because the information they contain can at times be sensitive, even harrowing, since they may contain exhumation reports and even photographs of corpses. Family members wishing to read the AIR81 files relating to their ancestors are advised to exercise caution and be guided by National Archives warnings where appropriate.

There are two means for accessing AIR81 files- to attend in person or to order a copy by post.

To attend in person, the attendee should first create a Reader’s Ticket. This can be done online by following this link: https://secure.nationalarchives.gov.uk/login/yourdetails. Then click on the AIR81 reference on the IBCC website and click Order in Advance. Enter your Reader’s Ticket number and state the date on which you intend to visit. National Archives will have the file ready for you when you arrive, saving you time. When you visit Kew, you must quote the Reader’s Ticket number and take along two forms of ID- one bearing your signature and one bearing your address. When you view the files, you are permitted to take photographs of each page, should you wish.

Alternatively, if you wish to order a copy by post, please be aware that there is a charge for this service based on the number of pages in the file. Click on the AIR81 reference on the IBCC website and then click Request a Copy. There is an £8.40 charge for National Archives staff to access the file and give you a quotation for the copying service. The process takes around 24 days to complete and can be expensive.

IBCC wishes to thank the staff at the MOD Records Office and National Archives for their engagement and assistance in making this facility available to our website users.