DUNHAM, Lewis Melvin

Service Number –   406672.

Rank –   Flying  Officer.

Unit / Division –   Royal  Australian  Air  Force.

Enlistment Date –   3  March  1941- Perth, WA.

Date  of  Birth-  29  March  1910.

Place  of  Birth-  York,  W. A.

Address on Enlistment –   Claremont,  W. A.

Next of Kin on Enlistment –   Wife-  Helen  Frances  Dunham,  Father-  Walter  Dunham,  Mother-  Olive  Jean  Dunham,  all  of  Claremont,  W. A.

KIA / Mortally Wounded –

Date –   28  February  1943.

Place –   Off Cairns, QLD.

Age at Death –   32.

Burial Location / Commemoration Details –   Port  Moresby  Memorial,  Papua  New  Guinea  (  Panel  No. 9 ).


Thanks for report dated 21/11/2014 from Geoff :- ” RAAF Catalina A24-25 disappeared off Cairns on Sunday 28th February 1943 after returning from convoy escort duty in PNG. Flying Officer Lou DUNHAM ( MID ) was Navigator. There were 10 other crew of whom three were from WA and another was born in WA. It is believed that the aircraft has been found under the sea about 45KM SE of Cairns. The RAAF are completing a formal identification of the aircraft. The RAAF wish to trace relatives of the crew. Lou Dunham lived with his parents, younger brother Donald ( lost in a RAF raid on Germany ), and sister Jean. Lou attended Bunbury High and was a keen rower at Bunbury Rowing Club. He was Mentioned in Despatches for bravery and coolness in the face of the enemy. These 11 men gave everything for Australia “.