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Bomb Aimer – Flying Officer Murray Frank, 409532, RAAF

 

Bomb Aimer, Flying Officer M.Frank, 409532, RAAF, later in 462 Squadron

 

Bomb Aimer, Flying Officer Murray Frank, 409532, RAAF, while based at 1652 HCU, Marston Moor, Yorkshire, late 1944. He had been promoted to Flying Officer on 10 September 1944.

There is no enlistment photo in the NAA Service File for Murray Frank. Below left, he is included in a group photo at Initial Training School.

For more photos of this Officer, please use links on the Locations page, or by going direct to the pages for 27 O.T.U. Church Broughton, 1652 H.C.U. Marston Moor, and 462 Squadron Foulsham (Bomb Aimers March 1945).

Murray's Service History
Murray's Casualty History
Murray's Headstone inscription and CWGC record
Murray's Badges and Medals
Murray's Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour record
Frank Family Genealogy
Connections with Air Gunner M.J.Hibberd

 

 

Group photo of RAAF trainees, October 1941, at 4 Initial Training School, Victor Harbour, South Australia, including AC2 Murray FRANK, 409532 RAAF, later Flying Officer at 462 Squadron, Foulsham 1945. (AWM)
Photo from the Australian War Memorial: P01405.009

Above: Photo from the AWM, P01405.009
AWM Caption: Group portrait of Initial Training School, Course No 20 “B” Squadron, Flight 6.
Date: About October 1941
Location: Victor Harbor, South Australia.
Photographer: Frank Boase Studio, Adelaide.

AC2 Murray FRANK is 8th from left, back row, indicated by the blue arrow. His portrait, cropped from the group photo, is shown below.

Portrait of AC2 Murray FRANK, 409532 RAAF, at 4 Initial Training School, Victor Harbour, South Australia, later Flying Officer at 462 Squadron, Foulsham 1945. (AWM)

AC2 Murray FRANK was posted to 4 ITS, Victor Harbour on 12 September 1941, and passed the course on 5 December 1941. He was promoted to Leading Air Craftman (LAC) on 5 December 1941, and posted to 1 EFTS Parafield on 11 December 1941 (see full details in later section).

The probable names of all 35 AC2 trainees and 1 Corporal, are listed with the AWM photo online, but with their rank at time of discharge or death, not their rank at the time of the photo. Of those 35 trainees named, 8 were lost on Ops, including Murray Frank, and 3 were accidentally killed during the war – 10% of their original group.
(For details of names, rank, Service Number and death, please refer to the original photo on the AWM website.)

None of the 35 named in the original photo above (except for Murray FRANK) are included in the photo of Sergeant Pilots, Montreal, Canada, shown above, right.

 

Murray Frank, later 462 Squadron, and Kenneth Kelvin Welsh, and Sergeant Pilots, Montreal, Canada, 30 August 1942.
From the Kenneth Kelvin WELSH Archives

Names - Murray Frank, later 462 Squadron, and Kenneth Kelvin Welsh, and Sergeant Pilots, Montreal, Canada, 30 August 1942.

Location - Murray Frank, later 462 Squadron, and Kenneth Kelvin Welsh, and Sergeant Pilots, Montreal, Canada, 30 August 1942.

The photo above (front, and snips of reverse) was received from James WELSH, who researched the name Murray FRANKS, and concluded he was Murray FRANK, later of 462 Squadron. Thank you, James.

From James WELSH .... "I arrived at your site by searching for Murray FRANKS (with the added 's'). His  name was one of a number of recently graduated pilots on a 1942 photograph I inherited from my father, K K WELSH. My father was from rural Victoria and trained at Victor Harbor, SA, before travelling to Canada as part of the Empire Training Scheme in 1942. He departed Sydney on the Orcades on the same date as Murray FRANK (28 March 1942) and was at Lachine and St Hubert, receiving his wings on 28 August 1942. Among the photos I have is one labelled
"The big six! At base of statue, Montreal, 30.8.42"
and on the reverse are the names (written by my father) 
L to R: "Dave Symonds, Ken Welsh, Jack Perkins, Graham Smith, Hec Ross, Murray Franks [sic]".
In a different hand the place of the photo is given as
"Dominion Square, Montreal".
Obviously the two men took different paths after getting their wings. After going to England on the Queen Elizabeth (ex Halifax 30 Oct 1942, arrived Greenock, 4 Nov 1942) my father ended up in a Typhoon squadron and married an English woman, returning to Melbourne in 1945 after the war, being joined by my mother in the following year."

From the Australian WW2 Nominal Roll. Note the similar Service Numbers, and same date and location of enlistment for SYMONDS, WELSH and FRANK; and similar for PERKINS (probably similar for SMITH and ROSS)
David Stanley SYMONDS, DFC, 409611, RAAF, enlisted 12/09/1941 at Melbourne Vic; discharged as Flight Lieutenant, 22/03/1946.
Kelvin Kenneth WELSH, 409631, RAAF, enlisted 12/09/1941 at Melbourne Vic; discharged as Flight Lieutenant, 12/12/1945 (known as Ken).
John Raymond PERKINS, DFC, 409219, RAAF, enlisted 20/07/1941 at Melbourne Vic; discharged as Flight Lieutenant, 05/03/1946 (known as Jack).
Graham SMITH – details not located due to frequency of name in Roll.
Hec ROSS – details not located due to frequency of name in Roll.

 

 

Information from WW2 Nominal Roll website
Name – Murray FRANK
Service – Royal Australian Air Force
Service Number – 409532
Date of Birth – 10 November 1919
Place of Birth – Coghills Creek, Victoria
Date of Enlistment – 12 September 1941
Place of Enlistment – Melbourne, Victoria
Next of Kin – R. Frank
Date of Death – 10 April 1945
Rank – Flying Officer
Posting at Death – 462 Squadron
Roll of Honour – Daylesford, Victoria

From the National Archives of Australia – Service File, Series A9300; Casualty File, Series A705; Loss of Aircraft File, Series A11385; 462 Squadron ORBs “Form 540 Summary of Events” and “Form 541 Detail of Work Carried Out”. Service File records sometimes vary by date – any discrepancies are recorded below. (Comments & corrections are bracketed in italics.) The Service File includes one Service Conduct Sheet with 4 entries for the period from 12 September 1941 to 9 March 1944. However there is no General Conduct Sheet as there was for the other RAAF members of the crew. The Service File had a copy of an envelope labelled “Intelligence Negatives of 532 P/O Frank, Full-face, profile, and semi-profile” but no photos were supplied with the Service File. Various documents have been quoted in full because the quality of the original digital copies precludes their reproduction here. The Service File has many deletions, amendments and ‘black-outs’ throughout, so is difficult to decipher. My apologies if I have misinterpreted any of the information. Some information has also been taken from M.J.Hibberd’s personal papers held by his Widow.

February 1941 to September 1941 – Served in the 2nd Cavalry Division, Australian Army Service Corps (A.A.S.C.), and was discharged at the rank of Corporal to enlist in the RAAF.

4 June 1941 – Medical Certificate for RAAF Reserve completed and signed by Examining Medical Officer. Age 21 years & 6 months; height 5 feet 10 inches; chest 32/35½ inches with expansion of 3½ inches; weight 10 stone 2 lb (or 64.4 kg); vision 6/6 both eyes; Colour vision N. Ish. (Normal Ishihara, i.e. normal colour vision); Hearing 20 w.h. both ears; Vaccination marks 1 on L. arm; Scars nil; Complexion Fair Medium; Eye colour Blue Grey; Hair colour Brown Med; Medical Classification A1B A3B.

4 June 1941 – Enrolment in RAAF Reserve, at No. 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne Victoria, age 21 years and 6 months; date of birth 10 November 1919; Single; British Subject; Born at Coghills Creek, Victoria; Religion Presbyterian; Current service “U.T. for 3 months”; Current Profession Hair Dresser; No Civil convictions; No dismissal from any part of His Majesty’s Service; Current Residential Address Daly Street, Daylesford, Victoria; Oath to Serve in Air Force Reserve signed at No. 1 Recruiting Centre, 104 Russell Street, Melbourne on 4 June 1941. (Presumably “U.T. for 3 months” means "Under Training for 3 months." His previous Army service was for about 7 months, so this may mean he was under training for 3 months of those 7 months.)

12 September 1941 – Enlistment in RAAF Citizen Air Force, No. 1 Recruiting Centre (1 R.C.) RAAF, Melbourne, Victoria, aged 21 years 10 months; details similar to those at enrolment in RAAF Reserve – profession Hair Dresser, Apprenticeship for 4 years with J.E. Tumey of Daylesford; single; no Civil convictions; no discharge from any Services for misconduct or felony or disgrace; no rejections from any Services as unfit; willing to serve under conditions in regulations of Air Force. He answered ‘Yes, with termination to join RAAF’ to question asking if he currently belonged to any Service including Air Force (i.e. RAAF Reserve), and also “U.T. 3 months” to question asking if had ever served in any Service including Air Force. Enlisted for the duration of the War and twelve months thereafter. Declaration signed on 12 September 1941 at No. 1 Recruiting Centre, 104 Russell Street, Melbourne by M. Frank and the Attesting Officer. Appointed to No. 4 Initial Training School Victor Harbor, South Australia. His prior Education was not listed anywhere in the Service File. Next of Kin was his father, William Casper Frank, of Daly Street, Daylesford, Victoria. A later Record of Service gave his enlistment age as 21 years. (“U.T. for 3 months” presumably means "Under Training for 3 months". His prior Army service was for about 7 months, and time in the RAAF Reserve was about 4 months. This description of prior service "U.T." was included in his RAAF Reserve enrolment, as well as his RAAF Citizen Air Force enlistment.)

12 September 1941 – Approval of Medical Examination of Murray Frank which had been carried out on the 4 June 1941 at age 21 years & 6 months. The Approval was signed by the Medical Officer at No. 1 Recruiting Centre, Melbourne. His current description was:- height 5 feet 10 inches; chest 32/35½ inches with expansion of 3½ inches; weight 142 lb (10 stone 2 lb or 64.4 kg); Complexion Fair Med.; Eye colour Blue Grey; Hair colour Brown Med.; 1 Vaccination mark on L. arm; Medical Classification not listed but declared a fit & healthy with no physical impairments or medical conditions.

12 September 1941 – Classification Air Craftman 2 (A.C.2 or A.C.II) on enlistment, on Authority 1 R.C. Melbourne.

12 September 1941 – Mustering Air Crew V on enlistment.

12 September 1941 – Posting to No. 4 Initial Training School, (4 I.T.S.), Victor Harbour, South Australia (SA), from No. 1 R.C. (Also training here from mid August to December 1941 was Fl/Lt Bruce Drinkwater who later became the deputy Flight Commander for B Flight in 462 Squadron, during Murray Frank’s (and his Crew) posting to that Squadron. Perhaps they met during their initial training at Victor Harbor.)

21 September 1941 – Service Conduct Sheet raised by Wing Commander of 4 I.T.S., Victor Harbor, SA.

3 November 1941 – Remustered as Air Crew V (P), on Authority of 4 I.T.S., Victor Harbor, SA.

5 December 1941 – No. 20 Aircrew Pilot Course completed at 4 I.T.S., PASSED.

6 December 1941 – Special Leave, Inter Course Leave, 5 days with pay, to 10 December 1941.

6 December 1941 – Promotion to Leading Aircraftman (L.A.C.), on Authority of 1 E.F.T.S., Parafield, SA.

6 December 1941 – Remustered as Air Crew II (P), on Authority of 1 E.F.T.S., Parafield, SA.

10 December 1941 – Service Conduct Sheet, certified ‘No Entry’ by Adjutant, 4 I.T.S., Victor Harbor, SA.

11 December 1941 – Posting to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School (1 E.F.T.S.), Parafield, SA. (Pilot A.D.J.Ball also trained here, but from 7 January to 13 March 1943.)

31 December 1941 – Assessment at Rank LAC, Mustering Aircrew II (P) – Character V.G., Under Training, signed by W/Cdr.

1 March 1942 – Special Leave, Inter Course Leave, 6 days with pay, to 6 March 1942.

2 March 1942 – Service Conduct Sheet, certified ‘No Entry’ by Adjutant, Flying Squadron, 1 E.F.T.S., Parafield, SA.

4 March 1942 – No. 20 Aircrew II Pilot Course completed at 1 E.F.T.S., PASSED.

5 March 1942 – Posting to No. 2 Embarkation Depot (2 E.D.) RAAF Bradfield Park, NSW. (A second document lists this posting as 14 March 1942.)

7 March 1942 – Special Leave, Pre-Embarkation Leave, 6 days, to 12 March 1942.

? March 1942 – Service Conduct Sheet, certified ‘No Entry’ by Adjutant, 2 E.D., RAAF Bradfield Park, NSW. (date illegible.)

28 March 1942 – Embarked from 2 E.D. RAAF Bradfield Park Sydney, NSW for service overseas.

28 March 1942 – Attachment to Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

30 April 1942 – Disembarked at Canada, RCAF.

30 April 1942 – Posting from 1T25? to Ex 5 M’D? (This Service File entry is almost illegible, but is most likely covered by next entry.)

30 April 1942 – Posting to No. 5 Manning Depot (5 M.D.), Lachine, Quebec, Canada. (see also entry for 21 March 1944, pre-embarkation posting to this location after 2nd training in Canada.)

10 May 1942 – Posting to No. 13 Service Flying Training School (13 S.F.T.S.), St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada. (Harvard, Anson.)

28 August 1942 – Awarded Flying Badge, on Authority of RCAF.

28 August 1942 – Promotion to Sergeant (T), on Authority of RCAF.

28 August 1942 – Remustered as Airman Pilot, on Authority of RCAF.

1 September 1942 – Embarkation Leave, 9 days, to 8 September 1942.

?????? – Posting from DAV 279??? to I Y Depot (This Service File entry is almost illegible, but is most likely covered by next entry.)

9 September 1942 – Posting to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

19 October 1942 – Attachment to 31 RAF Depot, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada until ? October 1942, pre-embarkation (date obscured by ink blot) from RCAF. (Harvard, Anson.) (See also entry for 22 September 1943.)

27 October 1942 – Embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for the UK.

5 November 1942 – Disembarked in the UK, ex Canada.

5 November 1942 – Posting to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre (3 P.R.C.), RAF Stn. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

17 November 1942 – Privilege Leave, 7 days, to 23 November 1942.

28 December 1942 – Posting to No. 15 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (15 (P) A.F.U.), Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK. (Airspeed Oxfords)

2 March 1943 – Posting to No. 7 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit (7 (P) A.F.U.), Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.

2 March 1943 – Assessment at Rank T/Sgt, Mustering Airman Pilot – Character V.G., On strength for Training only, signed by S/Ldr.

13 April 1943 – Posting to 57 Operational Training Unit (57 O.T.U.), RAF Stn., Eshott, Northumberland, UK. (Spitfires)

19 May 1943 – Forfeits Flying Badge (Authority POR/13/43 Eastchurch, Kent, UK). This forfeiture was subsequently cancelled with the next consecutive entry (Authority POR A14/43).

19 May 1943 – Remustered as U/T Air Bomber (2) in classification of LAC (Authority POR/13/43 Eastchurch, Kent, UK). This remustering was subsequently cancelled with the next consecutive entry (Authority POR A14/43).

19 May 1943 – Reclassification to Leading Aircraftman (L.A.C.), on Authority of Eastchurch, Kent, UK 13/43. (Similar to the 2 entries above of the same date, this is probably also an error, as this reclassification is repeated in the 18 August 1943 entry.)

2 June 1943 – Attachment to RAF Boulmer, until 23 June 1943 (Satellite airfield for 57 O.T.U. RAF Eshott.)

13 June 1943 – Privilege leave, 5 days, to 17 June 1943, 57 O.T.U.

16 June 1943 – Assessment at Rank T/Sgt, Mustering Pilot – Character V.G., On strength for Training only, signed by W/Cdr.

17 June 1943 – Posting to A.C.R.W. RAF Eastchurch, Kent, UK. (What was A.C.R.W.?)

21 July 1943 – Posting to RAF Heaton Park, Manchester, UK.

21 July 1943 – Attachment to Air Crew Despatch Centre (A.C.D.C.) until 22 July 1943, from RAF Stn., Eastchurch, Kent, UK.

22 July 1943 – Assessment at Rank LAC, Mustering U/T Air Bomber – Character V.G., On strength for Training only, signed by S/Ldr.

22 July 1943 – Posting to Control and Reporting Centre (C.R.C.), RAF Eastchurch, Kent, UK.

16 August 1943 – Forfeits Flying Badge (Authority POR A22/43). (No reason given in Service File, see later comments.)

16 August 1943 – Remustered as U/T Air Bomber in classification of LAC (Authority POR A22/43).

21 August 1943 – Posting to Air Crew Despatch Centre (A.C.D.C.) UK (at Heaton Park, Manchester).

22 August 1943 – Posting to RAF Heaton Park, Manchester, UK.

22 September 1943 – Posting from Heaton Park to 8144, UK. (What and where was 8144?)

22 September 1943 – Embarkation from UK to Canada.

22 September 1943 – Posting to No. 31 P.D. Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. (see also entry for 19 October 1942, a pre-embarkation posting.)

28 September 1943 – Attachment to RAF.

28 September 1943 – Disembarked in Canada at RCU3, ex UK. (What and where was RCU3?)

8 October 1943 – Special Leave, 5 days to 12 October 1943.

15 October 1943 – Posting to No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School (31 B.&G.S.), Picton, Ontario, Canada. (Anson, Lysander, Battle, Bolingbroke.) (In a second document, date is listed as 16 October 1943.)

1 November 1943 – Bombers Course at 31 B.&G.S. until 28 January 1944, PASSED.

31 December 1943 – Assessment at Rank LAC, Mustering U/T Air Bomber – Character V.G., On strength for Training only, signed by W/Cdr. (U/T – Under Training)

29 January 1944 – Posting to No. 1 Central Navigation School (1 C.N.S.), Rivers, Manitoba, Canada. (Anson) (In a second document, this date is listed as 30 January 1944.)

31 January 1944 – Bombers Course at 1 C.N.S. until 10 March 1944, PASSED.

9 March 1944 – Service Conduct Sheet, certified ‘No Entry’ by Stn. Adjutant, 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, Canada.

9 March 1944 – Discharged from Citizen Air Force under Air Force Regulation No. 115(M) on being granted a Commission (DRO 61A.).

10 March 1944 – Assessment at Rank LAC, Mustering U/T Air Bomber) – Character V.G., On strength for Training only, signed by Acting S/Ldr (illegible). (U/T – Under Training)

10 March 1944 – Awarded Air Bomber’s Badge (Authority DRO 61A).

10 March 1944 – Classification to Rank of Pilot Officer, Airman Aircrew, Citizen Air Force RAAF, General Duties Branch, Air Bomber.

10 March 1944 – Pre-embarkation Leave, 7 days to 17 March 1944, with added notation on file “Entitled to ration allocations for same period" (DRO61A).

17 March 1944 – Marriage to Miss Ruth Constance MATTISON, at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by Rev. C.C. Dean (Pres.) Pilot Officers Record Sheet amended to list Murray Frank’s next-of-kin to be Mrs R.C. Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. His father Mr W.C. Frank, Daly Street, Daylesford  Victoria, Australia was changed from next-of-kin to ‘person to be notified in case of casualty’. (Pilot Officers Record Sheet amendment after this marriage lists marriage date as 17 March 1944. However the Flying Officers Record Sheet filled out by Air Force Staff on 10 September 1944 lists the marriage date as 27 March 1944. The Air Crew Arrival Form at 462 Squadron filled out by Murray Frank on 16 February 1945 lists his marriage date as 17 March 1944. Therefore the marriage date of 17 March would most likely be correct, to tie in with his leave, subsequent posting, and drawing up of a new Will. No original marriage document is available for checking. Sadly, it appears that Murray Frank and his new wife had a very short married life together as their wedding date was his last day of leave prior to a new posting, followed by his embarkation to the UK within 2½ weeks. Therefore, after his embarkation, it is unlikely that they ever saw each other again.)

21 March 1944 – Posting to 1 “Y” Depot, Lachine, Quebec, Canada for embarkation (DRO61A). (See also entry for 30 April 1942, when he was posted to this location after arrival from Australia for 1st training as Pilot.)

21 March 1944 – “Taken on Strength” at 1 “Y” Depot. DRO70/44.

22 March 1944 – Due to F/O Murray Frank’s recent marriage, a New Will was drawn up and signed, at No 1 “Y” Depot, Lachine, Canada (please see details in Casualty File entry for 16 October 1945).

3 April 1944 – Embarked from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for the UK.

4 April 1944 – Attachment to R.A.F.

11 April 1944 – Disembarked in the UK. (a second document lists disembarkation as being 12 April 1944).

12 April 1944 – Calculation of Accumulated Leave Balance as of this date; Type – Maintenance 44; Emergency 250; signed by Squadron Leader 11 P.D.R.C. (No indication in file as to whether this accumulation of leave was for hours or days, but probably hours.)

13 April 1944 – Posting to No. 11 Personnel Despatch & Reception Centre (11 P.D.R.C.), Brighton UK.

20 April 1944 – Privilege Leave, 7 days to 26 April 1944, 11 P.D.R.C.

8 May 1944 – Posting to 8 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (8 (O) A.F.U.) for Advanced Flying Training, at Mona, (Heneglwys), Anglesey, Wales (Ansons). (Navigator N.V. Evans also trained here from 8 May to 5 June 1944, but in Course No. 39. Perhaps Murray Frank and Neil Evans met during their training here, and this may have been the basis of their forming a Crew after their posting to 27 O.T.U.)

9 May 1944 – Air Bombers Course No 40 at 8 (O) A.F.U., until 5 June 1944, PASSED.

6 June 1944 – Posting to No. 27 Operational Training Unit (27 O.T.U.) Lichfield; 6-man Crew formed, Operational training in Wellington Bombers (please see photos on 27 O.T.U. page).

18 August 1944 – Privilege Leave, 8 days to 25 August 1944, 27 O.T.U.

25 August 1944 – Posting to 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, Yorkshire UK, for Conversion Training (same date as posting of M.J.Hibberd, and the other members of the newly formed Crew).

10 September 1944 – Promotion to Rank of Flying Officer, Citizen Air Force RAAF, General Duties Branch, Air Bomber.

16 September 1944 – Privilege Leave, 5 days to 20 September 1944, 41 Base.

27 October 1944 – Privilege Leave, 10 days to 5 November 1944, Marston Moor.

7 November 1944 – Posting to 74 Base, No. 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit (1652 H.C.U.), Marston Moor, Yorkshire, UK, for Conversion training in Halifax Bombers (undated in file but assumed to be the same date as posting of M.J.Hibberd and the other members of the Crew – please see photos on 1652 H.C.U. page).

16 February 1945 – Posting to 462 Squadron, 100 Group, Bomber Command based at Foulsham Norfolk UK for Operations. (Same date as posting of M.J.Hibberd and the other members of the Crew, who were assigned to ‘B’ Flight for this First Tour of Duty. A second document lists this posting date as 23 February 1945; and a third document lists the date as 16 February but to 462 Squadron 4 Group. However the Squadron had moved 100 Group based at Foulsham by the end of December 1944. 462 Squadron was a Special Duties Squadron carrying out Radio Counter Measures, flying in Halifax III Bombers modified for carrying special equipment. Special Duties Officers were assigned to each operational flight to form a Crew of 8, and in some instances a crew of 9. The Special Duties Operator for this crew’s last 2 operations was German-speaking Flying Officer John Heggarty.)

462 Squadron – Air Crew Arrival Form – Information from National Archives of Australia "Loss of Aircraft Halifax III "V" NA240 10/11 April 1945" Series A11385, Digital Copy of item 3552009, page 32 of 52 pages. (Form to be filled out by Aircrew in his own handwritten block letters – transcription of original as written, Bomb Aimer Frank completed his form in cursive handwriting and block letters. He also signed the form, which none of the other members of the crew had done.)

Date – 16/2/45 On posting from – 1652 Con. U., Marston Moor
On the Authority of ……. (blank)
1. Number…. A 409532 ….. 2. Surname…. FRANK
2. Christian Names…… Murray
3. Substantive Rank… F/O …… Date… 10/9/44
4. Acting Rank…. (blank) … Date…. (blank)
5. Decorations…. (blank) … Date…. (blank)
6. Type of Service ….. Air Crew
7. Aircrew Category (in full) …… Air Bomber
8. Types of Aircraft Flown ….. Tiger, Harvard, Master 42, Spitfire, Bolingbroke, Oxford, Anson, Wellington, Halifax, etc.
9. Courses Attended ….. All Pilot & A/B courses
10. Date of Birth …. 10/11/19
11. If Married …. Yes ….. Date …. 17th March 1944
12. Next of Kin a) Relationship …. Wife
b) Full Name …. Ruth Constance Frank
c) Address …. 4 Owen Street, Halifax, N.S. Canada
13. Additional Person to be Informed a) Relationship …. Father
b) Full Name …. William C. Frank
c) Address …. Daly Street, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
15. Religion …. Presbyterian
16 Medical Category …. ?

20 February 1945 – Privilege Leave, 9 days to 28 February 1945, 462 Squadron, Foulsham.

Operations 462 Squadron – Please refer to the 462 Squadron page to see a photo of Bomb Aimers in March 1945, including Flying Officer Murray Frank, who is in the middle row, 5th from left.

March and April 1945 – No logbook is available for F/O Murray Frank, however a summary page labelled “Extracts from Log Book” is included in his Service File. This information (with errors), is included later on this web page. It is assumed that as members of a newly formed crew, the crew’s individual logbook details would have been the same. On Pilot F/O A.D.J.Ball’s page are the complete actual entries from Log Book of Rear Gunner F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd, and actual Squadron ORB information, extracted from monthly reports using “Form 540 Summary of Events” and “Form 541 Detail of Work Carried Out”. Information there has been transcribed as originally recorded with all spelling and other errors. Log book information is also on the Service History page for Rear Gunner Fl/Sgt M.J.Hibberd, however a summary of the Rear Gunner’s logbook follows. (Comments & corrections in italics.)

4 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-S, Pilot F/O Ball, Day cross country training exercise. Flight time of 4 hours 25 minutes.” (Possibly 3 March)

5 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-V, Pilot F/O Ball, Day cross country training exercise. Flight time of 25 minutes.”

6 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-S, Pilot F/O Ball, Day cross country training exercise. Flight time of 3 hours 5 minutes.”

8 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-V, Pilot F/O Ball, Night cross country training exercise. Flight time of 3 hours.”

9 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-M, Pilot F/O Ball, Day cross country training exercise. Flight time of 2 hours 10 minutes.”

10 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 1 – Halifax III Z5-P, Pilot F/O Ball, Munster (sic), “Spoof” Special Duties. Engine Failure. Returned. Flight time 4 hours and 5 minutes.” (Incomplete Op not counted in Tour of Duty).

13 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 1 – Halifax III Z5-N Pilot F/O Ball, Frankfurt, Special Duties. Saw 2 fighters. No Flak. Quiet Trip. Flight time 5 hours 50 minutes.”

14 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 2 – Halifax III Z5-N, Pilot F/O Ball, Weisbaden (sic), Special Duties. Fighter Decoy. No Fighter. Good Trip. Flight time 6 hours and 5 minutes.” (Current spelling is Wiesbaden, near Frankfurt.)

16 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 3 – Halifax III Z5-V, Pilot F/O Ball, Hanua (probably Hanau?), Special Duties with Special Operator. Severe Icing. Landed Away. Flight time 7 hours 45 minutes.”

22 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-B2, Pilot F/O Ball, Fighter Affiliation – night training exercise. Flight time 1 hour 25 minutes.”

24 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 4 – Halifax III Z5-S, Pilot F/O Ball, Köln (= Cologne) Special Duties with Special Operator. Spoof. No Flak. Fighter FW190 Attacked & Followed. Fired 800 Rounds & Claimed Hits. Evasive Action carried out. Flight time 5 hours and 10 minutes.”

26 March 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Halifax III Z5-P, Pilot F/O Ball, Day cross country training exercise. Flight time 2 hours and 25 minutes.”

3 April 1945 – Privilege leave, 7 days to 9 April 1945. (Leave for the same period is recorded in the RAAF Service Files for Pilot Ball as 7 days Privilege Leave, but for Navigator Evans & Wireless Operator Taylor as 7 days SLSA Privilege Leave. No UK leave information is included in the Service Files for Gunners Hibberd or Tait. I have assumed that all members of a crew would generally be issued leave for the same periods. Anecdotal evidence is that Rear Gunner F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd was dancing at the Trocadero in London the night before he was shot down on their final flight on 10 April 1945 – Ref: L.Lazarides.) In 1945 Good Friday was the 30 March, and Easter Monday was the 2nd April. Their leave from 3 April was therefore commenced on the Tuesday after Easter.

10 April 1945 – R/AG Log Book “Ops No 5 – Halifax III Z5-V, Pilot F/O Ball, Special Duties Operation Leipzig. (R/AG) Baled Out.”

10 April 1945 – Last flight in Halifax III NA240 Z5-V, on a Special Duties Operation to Leipzig.

10 April 1945 – 462 Sqdn ORB Form 541 – "Halifax NA240: up at 1910, missing; SDO F/O J.Heggarty RAF (VR) 179888. This aircraft took off on a Protective Patrol with the Main Force to Leipzig and failed to return from that Operation. There has been no news since taking off, and the crew has been reported Missing".

10 April 1945 Bomber Command “Departed at 1910 from Foulsham on Bomber Support (BS) Radio Counter Measure (RCM) duties in support of 5 Group Operations. 76 Lancasters and 19 Mosquitos of Bomber Command’s 5 Group and 8 Group attacked the Wahren railway yards, Leipzig. The eastern half of the yards was destroyed. 7 Lancaster Bombers were lost. 1 RCM Halifax was lost, that being Halifax III NA240 Z5-V of Ball and Crew.

“Extracts from Log Book” (This information appears in a labelled document in the Murray Frank Service File, undated but type-written sometime after his death, and transcribed here in full with all errors. His earlier training in 1941 and 1942 is not included. Several of the dates in this ‘Extract’ do not match the date of Posting to or from that location. The Log Book is not in the Service File, so nothing can be checked or verified. It is not known why this “Extracts from Logbook” was prepared.)

F/O. M. FRANK    409532    DECEASED

EXTRACTS FROM FLYING LOG BOOK

462 Sqdn. U/K.      FIRST FLIGHT March, 1945
HALIFAX               LAST FLIGHT 17.3.45
(Erroneous entry, given that he and the rest of the crew were listed as missing on 11 April 1945, after their 5th Op on 10 April 1945. The night of 16/17 March 1945 was actually the crew’s Op No. 3.)

3 OPERATIONS OVER EUROPE
(Erroneous entry, given that this crew carried out 5 Ops over Germany. They would have carried out 6 Ops, except that on their first incomplete Op they returned early due to engine failure, so that this Op was not counted in their Tour of Duty.)

UNITS

31 B.A.G.S. CAN.     1.10.43. – 28.1.44. (Erroneous entry, was posted to 31 B&GS on 15/10/43)
1 C.N.S.                  29.1.44. – 10.3.44.
8 (O) A.F.U.             8.5.44. – 6.6.44.
27 O.T.U.                 8.6.44. – 18.8.44.
1652 C.U.                25.8.44. – 29.9.44. (Erroneous entry – posting to 41 Base Acaster Malbis was on 25.8.44, then to 74 Base Marston Moor on 6.11.45.)
462 SQUADRON
(No detail included for this posting, however he was posted to 462 Squadron on 16.2.45.)

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Casualty details (File Number 166/14/403, opened 13 April 1945, RAAF HQ, D.P.S. Casualty Section.)
(The Casualty File mainly includes correspondence between RAAF HQ in Melbourne and F/O M. Frank’s father Mr W.C. Frank (in Daylesford, Victoria); as well as a few items to F/O M. Frank’s wife Mrs R.C. Frank (in Canada). Perhaps the correspondence to Mrs Frank was sent direct to her from RAAF Overseas HQ London, or from the RAAF Liaison Officer in Ottawa Canada. There is no list of F/O M. Frank’s personal effects, so it is probable that they were sent direct to Canada from the UK.)

10 April 1945 – Posting to War Cas. N/E Accts, backdated from 26 April 1945 (another record lists this date as 11 April 1945, and a third as 14 April 1945.)

10 April 1945 – Official Presumption of Death by Overseas Headquarters (backdated from decision on 10 November 1945, Casualty Report 351/35).

11 April 1945 Sqdn ORB Form 540 – The crews of TWO of the A.B.C. Aircraft were briefed to accompany 5 Group with the Main Force and the remaining Crews for a Window mission to the PLOUEN (sic) area. When the crews were in the Aircraft read to take off, the Operation was cancelled. No news has been received of the Aircraft “V”/462 – Captain – P/O A.D.Ball missing from Operations on the night of the 10th. (Assume Plouen should be Plauen.)

11 April 1945 – M.Frank officially listed as “Missing Air Operations, target Leipzig, Germany.”

11 April 1945 – Cable Signal P51 SECRET for immediate transmission, from 462 (RAAF) Squadron to – Air Ministry Kingsway; No. 100 Group; Records Gloucester; H.Q.B.C; 43 Group; RAAF Overseas Headquarters Kingsway; and repeated to – Senior Accountant; Officer Station Adjutant; C.T.O.; Committee of Adjustment. The cable advised of the loss of Halifax III NA-240 Z5-V, listing the engine details, Operation details, Crew by service number, rank and full names; bomb load; special equipment; next of kin already informed (those in the UK), and those yet to be informed (in Australia & Canada) – Cable was signed by Flight Lieutenant D.G.Highman, Adjutant of 462 Squadron, for the Squadron Leader.

11 April 1945 – Letter from Squadron Leader L.G.Scharer of 462 Squadron to The Under-Secretary of State, Air Ministry, London confirming signal P.51 of the same date. This letter gave information about the missing Halifax, the Pilot, target, ammunition and bomb load, fuel, and crew by name, rank, service number and crew position.

11 April 1945 – Cable Signal PCX9 AUSCAS 571, from Air Min Kingsway to RAAF HQ INFO & RAAFLO OTTOWA. For IMMEDIATE transmission –

“HALIFAX NA240, 462 RAAF SQUADRON, MISSING FROM OPERATIONS TARGET LEOPZIG (sic) NIGHT 10/11 APRIL” It then listed the Service No., Rank & Names of all of the Crew, and the names & addresses of all of the Next of Kin. In this casualty file the following is underlined “AUS409532 F/O MURRAY FRANK (WIFE) MRS RC FRANK 4 OWEN STREET HALIFAX CANADA ALSO (FATHER) WC FRANK DALY STREET DAYLESFORD VICTORIA”.
(Target was Leipzig.)

13 April 1945 – Casualty Notification form with service details raised by D.P.S. (Cas); stamped as recorded on Casualty Index on 17 April 1945 (Finance Serial No. 9448), initialled as being checked for Rank with confirmation of rank of F/O.

13 April 1945 – Telegram from Air Force, Melbourne, lodged Melbourne 5:20pm on 13th April, with delivery acknowledgement returned by Acting Postmaster of Daylesford on 20th April, confirming actual delivery at 9:32am on 14th April 1945 to Mr. W.C. FRANK DALY STREET DAYLESFORD, VIC. ……. (quote)

“409532 FLYING OFFICER M. FRANK MISSING STOP REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR SON FLYING OFFICER MURRAY FRANK IS MISSING AS RESULT AIR OPERATIONS ON 11TH (sic) APRIL 1945 STOP KNOWN DETAILS ARE HE WAS MEMBER OF CREW HALIFAX AIRCRAFT DETAILED TO ATTACK ENEMY TARGET AT LEIPZIG GERMANY WHICH FAILED TO RETURN TO BASE STOP YOUR SON'S WIFE IN CANADA IS BEING INFORMED STOP THE MINISTER FOR AIR JOINS WITH AIR BOARD IN EXPRESSING SINCERE SYMPATHY IN YOUR ANXIETY STOP WHEN ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS RECEIVED IT WILL BE CONVEYED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.”

13 April 1945 – no copy in casualty file of any similar telegram to Mrs R.C. Frank, however it was most likely sent to her direct from Overseas Headquarters, London, as referred to in the correspondence of 14 April 1945 below.

14 April 1945 – Postal letter from Squadron Leader L.G.Scharer of 462 Squadron to Mrs R.C. Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, N.S., Canada (F/O M. Frank’s wife) ………… (quote)

Ref 462S/C.1714/18/P1
Dear Mrs Frank,
It is my unhappy task to confirm the news you will have already received from R.A.A.F. Overseas Headquarters, London, that your Husband, Flying Officer Murray Frank, was reported missing from an operational flight from this country on the night of the 10th April, 1945.
I would like you to accept my heartfelt sympathy and to express my own deep regret at this most anxious time. Your Husband will be missed very greatly by the members of this Squadron, the attitude of determination and resolution adopted by him and his crew have made a profound impression here and their efficiency and gallantry will long be remembered.
The most searching enquires have been made through every possible channel but have so far revealed nothing. Meanwhile, we can only hope that your Husband and the other members of his crew are either in safe hands or prisoners of war.
His personal belongings have been carefully gathered together by a committee of officers known as the “Standing Committee of Adjustment” and they will be forwarded to the Central Depositary of the Royal Air Force. In due course, you will receive a further communication concerning them from the R.A.A.F. Overseas Headquarters, London.
Once again, may I convey to you my deepest sympathy and the hope that I may be able to convey much happier news to you in the near future.
Yours Very Sincerely
L.G.Scharer
Squadron Leader.

14 April 1945 – Postal letter from Squadron Leader L.G.Scharer of 462 Squadron to Mr. William C. Frank, Daly Street, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia. (F/O M. Frank’s father) ………… (quote)

Ref 462S/C.1714/18/P1
Dear Mr Frank
It is with the deepest regret that I am writing to confirm the news you will already have received from the Air Board, Melbourne, that your son, Flying Officer Murray Frank, was reported missing from an operational flight from this country on the night of the 10th April, 1945.
The aircraft in which your Son was Air Bomber took off on the night of the 10th April, 1945 to carry out an attack on enemy territory and it was undertaken with the resolution and efficiency for which your Son and his crew were noted. Unfortunately, the aircraft did not return.
Every enquiry has been made through all channels but so far nothing has been revealed. However, it takes some time for possible information to arrive in this country from enemy sources and meanwhile, we can only hope that your Son and the other members of his crew are either in safe hands or prisoners of war.
A committee of Officers known as the “Standing Committee of Adjustment” have carefully gathered together all your Son’s personal belongings and his wife, to whom I have written, will, in due course, be hearing from RAAF Overseas Headquarters concerning them.
I would like to convey my deepest and most sincere sympathy for you in your great anxiety – your Son’s loss has been felt greatly by myself and the Squadron. Your Son and his crew have been an inspiration to us all and their cheerfulness and devotion to duty will not soon be forgotten. I can only hope that in the near future I can convey much happier news to you.
Yours Very Sincerely
L.G.Scharer
Squadron Leader.

24 April 1945 – Memo from Wing Commander D.P.S (P.6) ……. (quote)

F/O M.Frank, 409532 – Missing Air Operations. (11.4.45)
D/Post
It is requested that the correct next of kin of the above-mentioned member, and person also to be informed of casualty, be noted: –
N/Kin
Mrs. R.C. FRANK, (Wife)
4 Owen Street,
HALIFAX, CANADA
Person also to be informed.
Mr. William Casper FRANK, (Father)
Daly Street,
DALESFORD (sic) VICTORIA. (should have been Daylesford)

2 May 1945 – Cypher Message from OHQ RAAF Kingsway to RAAF HQ Australia ….. (quote)

AL 107 CAS 985 MAY 2 RESTRICTED
AUS 430788 F/SGT TAIT JM MISSING. COMMANDING OFFICERS LETTER SYMPATHY FORWARDED YOU 23 APRIL STATES CASUALTY OCCURRED NIGHT MARCH 10. REQUEST AMEND READ 10 APRIL.
(Message has handwritten annotation across it –“Frank, M. member same crew” however the letter to F/O Frank’s Next of Kin had the correct casualty date 10 April 1945 – see transcriptions dated 14 April 1945 above.)

12 May 1945 – Cable from RAAF Overseas HQ London to RAAF HQ Melbourne …. (quote)

AL 696 CAS 117 12 MAY UNCLASSIFIED.
MISSING MEMBERS (.) FOLLOWING 27 (sic) MEMBERS REPORTED SAFE THIS COUNTRY NOW AT 11 PDRC BRIGHTON AUS 435342 HIBBERD M.J., ORIGINAL SIGNAL ON FILE 32/6/16 OTHER MEMBERS OF CREW MISSING: TAIT J.M., FRANK M., BALL A.D.J., EVANS N.V., TAYLOR R.R.
(Frank M. underlined in file)

16 May 1945 – Lettergram from Air Force, Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank …………. (quote)

“INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT ONE AUSTRALIAN MEMBER OF YOUR SON’S CREW FLIGHT SERGEANT M.J.HIBBARD (sic) IS NOW SAFE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM STOP CREW CONSISTED OF EIGHT MEMBERS STOP REGRET NO NEWS OF YOUR SON FLYING OFFICER MURRAY FRANK OR REMANDER OF CREW”

5 June 1945 – Cable from RAAF OHQ London to RAAF Melbourne …….. (quote)

“AL 50 CAS 391 5 JUNE STOP UNCLASSIFIED STOP AUS 430788 F/SGT TAIT J M MISSING STOP REQUEST ADVISE MR G W TAIT WHO HAS CABLED  SQUADRON THAT AUS 435342 F/SGT HIBBERD M J CAN GIVE NO NEWS”
(Message has handwritten annotation across it – “Frank M.” and is included in his Casualty File.)

6 June 1945 – Lettergram from Air Force Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank advising the detail of the cable received by them on 5 June 1945 ………. (quote)

“ADVICE HAS NOW BEEN RECEIVED THAT FLIGHT SERGEANT HIBBERD CAN GIVE NO NEWS CONCERNING YOUR SON FLYING OFFICER MURRAY FRANK OR REMAINDER OF CREW.”

28 June 1945 – Cable from RAAF HQ Melbourne to Overseas HQ RAAF Kingsway ……… (quote)

“UNCLASSIFIED AUS 430788 F/SGT. TAIT J.M. MISSING (.) SIGNAL URGENTLY PRECIS AMPLIFIED STATEMENT BY HIBBERD INCLUDING DETAILS HIBBERD’S ESCAPE AND AIR MAIL FULL STATEMENT EARLIEST (.) NEXT OF KIN PRESSING MINISTER”
(Message has handwritten annotation across it “important” and is included in F/O Frank’s Casualty File.)

29 June 1945 – Cypher Message from RAAF Overseas HQ, Kodak House, Kingsway, London to RAAF HQ Melbourne ……… (quote)

AL 625 CAS 689 29 JUNE RESTRICTED
AUS 430788 F/SGT JM TAIT MISSING. HIBBARD (sic) STATES “BELIEVE REST OF CREW KILLED WHEN AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN TARGET AREA. REST OF CREW PROBABLY UNABLE TO LEAVE AIRCRAFT OWING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT” NO OTHER INFORMATION IN STATEMENT RE TAIT. HIBBARD (sic) NOW EMBARKED FOR AUSTRALIA SUGGEST HE BE INTERVIEWED ON HIS ARRIVAL. COPY STATEMENT BEING FORWARDED FAST AIR MAIL”.
(Message has handwritten annotation across it – “Frank M. and is included in his Casualty File.)

29 June 1945 – A copy of the 1st ex-PoW statement made by F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd before his embarkation from the UK is included in the M.Frank casualty file, but without any accompanying official letter, memo or cable. In other Crew members’ casualty files, this same statement has a covering Letter from RAAF Overseas HQ, Kodak House, Kingsway, London to The Secretary, Dept of Air Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

3 July 1945 – Lettergram from Air Force Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank advising the contents of the Cypher Message of 29 June 1945. (Please see entry above.)

30 July 1945 – A copy of the Statement by M.J.Hibberd taken on board H.M.T.S. “Andes” on 28th July 1945 prior to his disembarkation, is included in the M.Frank casualty file, but without any accompanying official letter, memo or cable. In other Crew members’ casualty files, this same statement has a covering Letter from RAAF Casualty & Repository Section, Sydney to RAAF HQ Melbourne.

28 August 1945 – Cable from RAAF HQ to 3 MRU requesting another interrogation of casualty F/SGT M.J.Hibberd, and advising that (quote in part) ….

“NEXT OF KIN TAIT PRESSING FOR DETAILS AND DESIRED PERSONALLY INTERROGATE HIBBERD”…..
(Copy of cable included in Casualty File of M. Frank.)

30 August 1945 – Letter from Wing Commander, Forward Echelon, Air Force Headquarters, Brisbane to Air Force Headquarters, Casualty Section, Melbourne.
Ref: – 688/4/P1 INTERROGATION OF 435342 F/SGT HIBBERD M.J. REPATRIATED PRISONER OF WAR
The letter advised that F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd had made his statement at the RAAF Section of 112 AGH Greenslopes, Brisbane and a copy of the written statement was forwarded. The statement was signed by M.J.Hibberd at Greenslopes on 30/Aug/45 after his 4th official interrogation.

19 September 1945 – Letter from F/Lt D.G.Highman, Officer Commanding, 462 (RAAF) Squadron, RAF Foulsham, to the Under Secretary of State, Air Ministry (Archives), Hayes, Middlesex ….…….. (quote)

Sir
I have the honour to refer to the flying accident on the night of the 10th April, 1945 in which Halifax III aircraft serial number NA.240 was reported missing and to enclose flying log books in respect of the undermentioned members of its crew.
F/O A.D.Ball (Aus/427182) – Pilot.
F/O M.Frank (Aus/409523) – A/B. (error in service number – actually 409532)
F/S N.V.Evans (Aus 436113) – Nav.
W/O R.R.Taylor (Aus/432346) – W/Op. (Air).
F/S J.M.Tait (Aus/430788) – A/G.
Sgt F.Brookes (546437) – F/Eng.
P/O J.Heggarty (179888) – A/G. Spec. Operator.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Servant
D.G.Highman, Officer Commanding, 462 Squadron, RAF Station, Foulsham
(It is not known if Mr & Mrs Frank Snr. claimed their son’s logbook, or if F/O Frank’s wife Ruth claimed it. Survivor and ex-PoW Rear Air Gunner F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd (Aus/435342) had reclaimed his log book which is still with his family.)

9 October 1945 – Signal from RAAF OHQ LONDON to A/F HQ MELBOURNE …….. (quote)

AL939 CAS560 9 OCT UNCLASSIFIED (.) F/O M FRANK 409532 MISSING (.) IN ABSCENCE (sic) INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRARY BY 8 NOV 1945 PROPOSE FORWARD EFFECTS WIFE RESIDENT CANADA.

16 October 1945 – Details of Will of Casualty recorded, with Category of casualty “Missing on 11 April 1945” The Will was dated 22 March 1944 and the Executrix and Sole Beneficiary was his Wife Ruth Constance Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, N.S. (A copy of the Will was included, with the details as follows.)

Will of Murray FRANK of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia; Civil Occupation Hairdresser, member of RAAF, Aus409532.
“I give, devise and bequeath unto my Wife, Ruth Constance Frank of 4 Owen Street Halifax N.S. all of my estate.
I appoint Ruth Constance Frank of 4 Owen Street Halifax N.S. to be Executrix of this my Last Will.
Signed on 22 March 1944 by Murray Frank
1st Witness – G. Rutledge of No 1 “Y” Depot, Lachine, Squadron Leader RAAF.
2nd Witness – (signature not legible), of 90 Marquis St., Brisbane, Australia, Accountant.
This Last Will replaced a previous Will which at that time was held by RAAF Records Australia. This later Will was due to his Marriage on 17 March 1944 in Canada.

19 October 1945 – Air Mail letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section, Department of Air, Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank
RAAF 166/14/403(23A)
This quite lengthy letter detailed information obtained from the 4 interrogations of ex-PoW F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd. In the letter Mr Frank was advised that F/Sgt Hibberd did not see any member of the crew after the aircraft was hit and did not see any wreckage of the aircraft. However after he had been taken PoW, and while being questioned in captivity, he had observed the undamaged identity card of F/O Murray Frank on the table in the interrogation room (as well as other items belonging to three other members of the crew). The letter goes on to relate in detail, the various comments made by F/Sgt Hibberd over time at his four ex-PoW interrogations. The letter finishes …….. (quote)

“Enquiries are proceeding in Europe into the fate of all aircrews reported missing in operations, and if any trace of the aircraft or members of the crew is discovered the information will be conveyed to you. It is regretted that more definite information as to your son’s fate is not available.”
Yours faithfully

10 November 1945 – Casualty File Minute Sheet Entry 3
Death presumed W.E.F. 10/4/45, authority O.H.Q. AL 358, Cas 773, 10/11.

12 November 1945 – Air Mail letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section, Department of Air, Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank
RAAF 166/14/403(25A) advising that no further news was available regarding his son reported as Missing in air operations. Official presumption of death was being considered, and would be advised at an early date. Mr Frank was to be advised of this date by letter and his son’s name would be published in a casualty list in the Press.

12 December 1945 – Air Mail letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section, Department of Air, Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank
RAAF 166/14/403(26A) advising that for official purposes, the death of his son was presumed to have occurred on 10 April 1945.

12 December 1945 – Air Mail letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section, Department of Air, Melbourne to Mrs R.C. Frank ……. (quote)

RAAF 166/14/403(27A)
Dear Madam
It is with deep regret that I refer to the information conveyed to you by Royal Australian Air Force Liaison Officer, Ottawa, that the death of your husband, Flying Officer Murray Frank, has now been presumed for official purposes to have occurred on the 10th April, 1945.
The Minister for Air and members of the Air Board desire me to extend to you their profound sympathy.
Yours faithfully

12 December 1945 – Air Mail memo from Group Captain, D.P.S., Air Member for Personnel, to Australian Liaison Officer, Royal Australian Air Force, Lisgar Buildings, Ottawa Canada ……. (quote)

RAAF 166/14/403(28A)
Reference AUS.409532 Flying Officer Murray FRANK, presumed dead with effect from 10th April, 1945, as notified in Overseas Headquarters AL358, CAS 773 of 10th November, 1945.
2. Forwarded herewith is a letter of sympathy addressed to the widow, together with enclosures. It is requested that these be re-directed to her.
(There is no indication as to what the ‘enclosures’ were. It is assumed that the letter of sympathy referred to was that of 12 December 1945, see preceding entry. Refer also Casualty File Minute 3 of 10 November 1945 above.)

9 February 1946 – Letter from Mr W.C. Frank to the Secretary, Dept. of Air ……… (quote)

Re Flying Officer Murray Frank 409532
Since presumed death of above on 13th December 1945, we have been patiently waiting to hear whether any Will has been left with Department.
Deceased being a Married Man you will realise our difficulty until we know this, as his wife is in Canada.
We suppose that his wife has been notified of his presumed death, but would be glad to have this verified.
Application form for Death Certificates is enclosed.
Mrs Frank joins with me in thanking Department for sympathetic consideration in presumed loss of our dear son.
Yours faithfully
W.C. Frank

9 February 1946 – “Application for the Issue of a Certificate of Death on War Service” (RAAF Form P/P 116) from William C. Frank, Daly Street, Daylesford, requesting the issue of two copies of a Death Certificate of 409532 Flying Officer Murray Frank for the purpose of Life Insurance, and Personal Affairs.

21 February 1946 – Casualty File Minute Sheet Entry 6
“2 copies of Death Certificate 8633 dated 21/2/46 issued and despatched to Mr W.C. Frank, Daylesford on 21/2/46.”

12 March 1946 – Disposal of Casualty Effects, signed by Officer in Charge, Casualty Section.

Zone of Casualty ….. UK
No. …. 409532   Rank…..F/O    Name ……… FRANK, Murray
Deceased: …… Presumed Death with effect from 10/4/45; Married
Casualty effects held at Repository Store at: ……. No effects held Australia
Next of Kin: ….. Mrs R.C. Frank     Relationship: ….. Wife
Last known address: …… 4 Owen Street, Halifax, Canada
WILL POSITION AS AT: 18 January 1946
Will dated 22nd March 1944
Executrix & beneficiary: Wife Ruth Constance Frank
RECOMMEND THAT EFFECTS BE FORWARDED TO: ……. Executrix & Sole Beneficiary, Wife Mrs Ruth Constance Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, Canada.
DISPOSAL AUTHORISED: ……… As recommended above
Signed by Adjustments Officer on 12 March 1946, and counter-signed by Officer in Charge, Casualty Section on 12 March 1946.
(There is no list of F/O M. Frank’s personal effects included in his Casualty File, as there had been for the other deceased members of the crew.)

12 March 1946 – Casualty File Minute Sheet Entry 7

“Commission form of F/O M. Frank forwarded to Mrs. R.C. Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, Canada.”
(Assume this refers to the Commission of Pilot Officer granted to Murray Frank on 9 March 1944.)

13 March 1946 – Casualty File Minute Sheet Entry 8
“Para (8) of finalisation statement quotes effects sent to: – RAAF Liaison, Canada for onward transmission to N/Kin.”

26 April 1946 – letter from Mrs R.C. Frank to Secretary, Department of Air (Casualty Section) Melbourne …… (quote)

I desire to acknowledge receipt of the Commission of the late Flying Officer Murray FRANK (409532)
Signed R.C. Frank, 4 Owen St., Halifax, N.S. Can. 26th April, 1946.

30 September 1947 – Exhumation of bodies of crew from cemetery at Zaasch.

2 October 1947 – Re-burial of bodies in British War Cemetery, Heerstrasse, Berlin, Plot IV, Row Z, Graves 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

14 October 1947 – Investigation Report from Berlin Detachment, No.4 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit, RAF Germany – this report details the location, exhumation, identification and reburial of the crew. Body 3 was identified as that of F/O M. Frank by his “identity disc” and allocated Grave 7 in Plot IV, Row Z. The other crew members were also individually identified and allocated individual graves.

4 December 1947 – Graves Registration Form 128467 F/O M.FRANK, Aus/409532 462 Squadron RAAF, date of death presumed 10/04/1945, re-interred in the British War Cemetery (Heerstrasse), in the city of Berlin, Germany, Plot IV, Row Z, Grave No. 7 on 2 October 1947. The receipt for the Registration Form is signed and dated 10 March 1948 with notation “No previous burial advice received or passed on to N.O.K” and “No information to hand regarding rest of this crew.”
(F/O Murray Frank’s grave 4.Z.7 lies beside that of Navigator Flight Sergeant Neil Vernon Evans 436113 RAAF, Grave reference 4.Z.8. The seven graves of Pilot Ball and his crew are located side by side in plots 4.Z.7 to 4.Z.13 – please visit the Berlin Graves page.)

30 March 1948 – Letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section to Mrs. R.C. Frank (Canada) …… (quote)

RAAF 166/14/403(33A)
Dear Madam
I refer to previous communications concerning your late husband, Flying Officer Murray Frank, and now advise that a report of his burial has been received from the War Office, London.
The report states that as a result of investigations carried out in the Zaasch Cemetery, it was established that your husband’s remains were interred there. Zaasch is situated approximately 14 miles north east of Halle, Germany.
Your husband’s remains have now been re-interred in Plot IV, Row Z, Grave No. 7 of the Berlin (Heerstrasse) British Military Cemetery. The re-interment was carried out by the British Graves Registration Service in accordance with the policy of concentrating the graves of service personnel into permanent British Military Cemeteries to allow better facilities for their perpetual care and maintenance by the Imperial War Graves Commission.
I regret that no details have been received concerning the circumstances surrounding the crash of the aircraft and the subsequent recovery and burial of your husband’s body. However, investigations are still proceeding in an endeavour to ascertain such details and also to establish the ultimate fate and last resting place of the other six members about whom no news has yet been received by this Department. Should any further information be received it will be conveyed to you without delay.
Permit me to assure you of the constant sympathy of this Department in the great loss which you have suffered.
Yours faithfully

30 March 1948 – Letter from The Secretary, Casualty Section to Mr. W.C. Frank (Australia) ……
RAAF 166/14/403(34A) ……….. (wording almost identical to letter of same date to F/O M. Frank’s wife in Canada, Mrs. R.C. Frank).

5 July 1948 – Letter from RAAF Overseas Headquarters, Canberra House, London to The Secretary, Air Board, Melbourne forwarding a copy of Report No.4 Missing Research and Enquiry Unit dated 14 October 1947 relating to the recovery of the remains of the crew and means of identification. The letter also confirmed the receipt of the final graves registration forms as per the report (see 14 October 1947 entry, and 4 December 1947 entry above). It also added that Air Ministry had accepted Graves 11 and 12 respectively for Sergeant Brookes & Flying Officer Heggarty.

12 August 1948 – Letter from The Secretary, Air Board Melbourne to Mrs. R.C. Frank (Canada) ……… (quote)

RAAF 166/14/403(36A)
Dear Madam
I refer to this Department’s letter dated 30 March, 1948, concerning your late husband, Flying Officer Murray Frank, and now advise that a report has been received from the Missing, Research and Enquiry Service operating in Germany.
The report which is based on interrogation of local residents and investigations carried out at the Zaasch cemetery, states that your husband’s aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, exploded in the air and crashed at Zaasch. The severity of the explosion was such that wreckage was scattered over a wide area.
The report adds that the bodies of your husband and the other six members of the crew who lost their lives were recovered from the wreckage by the Germans, and interred in a communal grave in the Zaasch Cemetery.
Following exhumation it was possible to establish the individual identification of your husband and the other six members, and their remains were re-interred in adjacent graves in the Berlin (Heerstrasse) British Military Cemetery. It is confirmed that your husband is now buried in Plot IV, Row Z, Grave No. 7.
It is sincerely hoped that you will derive some small comfort from this more definite information concerning the sad loss of your husband.
Yours faithfully

12 August 1948 – Letter from The Secretary, Air Board, Melbourne to Mr W.C. Frank (Australia)
RAAF 166/14/403(37A) ……………. (wording almost identical to letter of same date to F/O M. Frank’s wife in Canada, Mrs. R.C. Frank).

20 January 1949 – Marriage in Claremont, Perth, Western Australia of Ruth Constance Frank (née Mattison), Widow of F/O Murray Frank, to Douglas Keith Carmody, former Fl/Lt 420138 RAAF, 455 Squadron, Casualty (Aircraft Beaufighter) and ex PoW.

20 September 1949 – Letter from The Secretary, Air Board Melbourne to Mrs. R.C. Frank (Canada) …… (quote)

RAAF 166/14/403(38A)
Dear Madam
I refer to previous communications concerning your late husband, Flying Officer Murray Frank, who was laid to rest in the Berlin (Heerstrasse) British Military Cemetery, Germany.
A photograph of his grave is enclosed herewith.
The cross depicted in this photograph is of a temporary nature only, and is to be replaced later by a permanent headstone to be erected by the Imperial War Graves Commission which is responsible for the maintenance in perpetuity of the graves of deceased servicemen.
Yours faithfully
(No copy of the original photograph of the temporary cross is available, however the cross would have been similar to that on the grave of the crew’s Flight Engineer, Sergeant Frederick Brookes. A photo supplied by his nephew may be seen on the Brookes page. Please refer also to Navigator F/Sgt N.V. Evan’s page for a photo of his grave’s temporary cross. No copy of any similar letter and photograph addressed to Mr W.C Frank is included in the Casualty File so it is not known if he and his wife received a photo of the temporary cross. However the inscription on the permanent headstone (which refers to ‘our beloved son’) appears to have been selected by F/O M. Frank’s parents. This may have occurred because their former daughter-in-law had remarried on 20 January 1949, therefore possibly relinquishing her next-of-kin status. Hopefully the letter with photo, which had had been sent to her former address in Canada, was forwarded to her in Western Australia.)

There are no further documents in the Casualty File.

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Headstone Inscription for Flying Officer Murray FRANK, 409532 RAAF
Grave reference 4.Z.7 (photo on graves_Berlin page)

(RAAF logo)
FLYING OFFICER
M.H. FRANK
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
10 APRIL 1945 AGE 25

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT
FOND MEMORIES
OF OUR BELOVED SON

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Casualty Details
Name: Murray FRANK
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment: Royal Australian Air Force
Age: 25
Date of Death: 10/04/1945
Service No: 409532
Additional information: Son of William Casper Frank and Louisa Frank of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia;
Husband of Ruth Constance Frank of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave reference: 4.Z.7
Cemetery: Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery

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Medals & Badges
28 August 1942 – Awarded Flying Badge by RCAF. (Please see comments below.**)
10 March 1944 – Awarded Air Bomber’s Badge by RCAF.
(No mention is made of War Medals in either the Service or Casualty File for Murray Frank, however it is presumed that he would have been eligible for the following medals which were listed in the files of his fellow deceased RAAF crew.)

1939-45 Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45

** Flying Badge Forfeiture. After training at 13 S.F.T.S., St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada, the Pilot’s Flying Badge was awarded to LAC Murray Frank on 28 August 1942, with promotion to T/Sgt and remuster to Airman Pilot on the same date.
The Flying Badge was forfeited in the UK on 16 August 1943, and Murray was reclassified from Rank of T/Sgt to LAC, and remustered from Pilot to Air Bomber.
There are no Service File documents or notations to indicate the reason why the Flying Badge was forfeited.
After returning to Canada, and undergoing further training, LAC Murray Frank was awarded an Air Bomber Badge on 10 March 1944, at 1 C.N.S., Rivers, Manitoba, Canada.
He was granted a Commission on 9 March 1944, and was reclassified to the Rank of Pilot Officer on 10 March 1944.
He was promoted to Flying Officer six months later on 10 September 1944.
Whatever caused the forfeiture of the Pilot’s Flying Badge obviously did not affect his later advancement in the RAAF, as he skipped over the usual promotion from LAC to Sergeant, and thence to Flight Sergeant, and Warrant Officer. His ability and performance must surely have been commendable, in order to be promoted from LAC directly to P/O.

What are the possible reasons that would cause Flying badge to be ‘forfeited’?
Could he have been ‘stripped’ of the Badge? And if so, why?
Could he have voluntarily relinquished the Flying Badge? And if so, why?
Why was he later granted a Commission immediately after retraining?
Was his marriage after his return to Canada part of the reason?
If you can assist with possible explanations, please make contact.

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Aus War Memorial
Roll of Honour – Murray FRANK
Service number: 409532
Rank: Flying Officer (FO)
Unit: 462 Squadron
Service: RAAF
Conflict: 1939-1945
Date of Death: 10 April 1945
Place of Death: Germany
Cause of Death: Flying Battle
Source: A.W.M.148 Roll of Honour Cards, 1939-1945 War, Air Force
Murray Frank’s name is located at panel 109 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.

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Genealogy of FRANK Family (all spelling as listed in references).
Genealogists and FRANK Families please note that no Certificates have been obtained to confirm any of the following, but the information is included as it appears to be the ‘best fit’. Some details have taken from a family tree published on the RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project in the Ancestry website. This family tree has links to Australian Murray FRANK via his wife. A second family tree by another author is published on the FamilySearch website, also with links to Australia, except that it names Murray FRANK as Frank MURRAY incorrectly. The two family trees have not been verified by me and some of their information differs. Attempts to contact the authors of those trees have not been successful. If you are a relative or friend of Murray FRANK, or his former wife Ruth Constance MATTISON/FRANK/CARMODY, please make contact.

Genealogy References
Online – Ancestry website for births, deaths and marriages, Electoral Rolls, Post Office Directories; and published family tree; FamilySearch website for published family tree.
Birth, marriage and death registration details have been sourced from the following CDs –
Digger Great War Index Victoria 1914-1920, ISBN 0 7311 0616 4,1997;
Digger Edwardian Index Victoria, 1902-1913, ISBN 0 7311 0614 4, August 1997;
Digger Marriage Index Victoria, 1921-1942, ISBN 0 7311 5305 7, May 2003.
Digger Death Index Victoria 1921-1985, ISBN 0 7311 5302 2, December 1998.

Murray FRANK
Birth – 10 November 1919, Coghills Creek (near Ballarat), Victoria, Australia; Registration No 26304, Registration year 1919.
Marriage – 17 March 1944 to Ruth Constance MATTISON, at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, by Rev. C.C. Dean (Pres.), home address 4 Owen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Children of Ruth Constance and Murray FRANK – NIL.
Death – presumed 10 April 1945, Zaasch, Germany.
Son of William Casper FRANK and Louisa FRANK.
(The headstone inscription on Murray’s Berlin grave is “M.H.Frank”, however I have not been able to determine what the H is for, or if this was an error. He was only ever listed a M.Frank or Murray Frank in his birth record and in all of his Service and Casualty files.)

Murray Frank’s Parents – William Casper FRANK and Louisa FRANK, née MURRAY.
Father – William Casper FRANK (
records vary, also named as William Casfrer, also William Cooper).
Birth – June 1889, at Coghills Creek, Victoria, Australia, Registration details not yet located.
Marriage – 24 March 1910; at Branxholme, Victoria, Australia, Registration No 572, Registration year 1910.
Death – 4 September 1964, Registration No 19078, Registration District Daylesford, Victoria, Registration Year 1964, age 76, father Albert FRANK, mother Dolina MCADIE; from the death record, his year of birth was 1888 ±1 year which matches his birth record. (Other records list mother as Dolina Ware MCADIE.)
Mother – Louisa MURRAY.
Birth – 14 January 1884, at Lake Bolac, Victoria, Australia, Registration details not yet located.
Marriage – 24 March 1910; at Branxholme, Victoria, Australia, Registration No 572, Registration year 1910.
Death – 21 November 1971, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, Registration No 28185, Registration District Ballarat, Registration Year 1971, age 87, father Ewan Murray, mother Louisa SCARFF; from the death record her year of birth was 1884 ±1 year which matches her birth record. Some records list father as Ewen.
Children of William Casper and Louisa FRANK.
Lindsay Jean FRANK – b 1911 Registration No 8377; m Robert CRAWFORD 1931 Registration No 9188; d 1989, death Registration details not yet located.
Albert Ewen FRANK – b 1912 Registration No 10655; m Vinnie Varcoe GILBERT 1937, Registration No 15449; d 1964, death Registration details not yet located.
Murray FRANK – b 1919, m 1944, d 1945.

Murray Frank’s Paternal Grandparents – Albert FRANK and Dolina FRANK, née McADIE (names from death record of William Casper FRANK.)
Albert FRANK – b 1863/1864, m 1884, d 1937; death Registration No 12078, Registration District Ballarat, Registration Year 1938, age 74, father Casper FRANK, mother Mary SMITH; birth and marriage Registration details not yet located.
Dolina Ware McADIE – b 1862, d 1959; Registration details not yet located.

Murray Frank’s Maternal Grandparents – Ewen MURRAY and Louisa MURRAY, née SCARFF.
Ewen MURRAY – birth 7 December 1861; Marriage 2 February 1881, Mortlake Vic; death 28 October 1911, Cathcart, Vic, Registration details not yet located.
Louisa SCARFF birth 1862, death 1934, Registration details not yet located.

Murray Frank’s Wife – Ruth Constance MATTISON.
Birth – 18 October 1923 Canada.
Marriage 1 – 17 March 1944 to (then) P/O Murray FRANK in Montreal, Canada.
Marriage 2 – 20 January 1949 to Douglas Keith CARMODY in Claremont, Perth, Western Australia.**
Death – 20 January 1991, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (age 67 years and 3 months.)
Parents of Ruth Constance – James MATTISON and Annabelle or Anna Belle MATTISON, née HUBLEY.
Other children of these parents – George, Shirley, Jean, Doris.
Father James MATTISON – b about 1894 Canada, OR in September 1880 in Northumberland, UK. (RootsWeb and FamilySearch family tree information differs.)
Mother Annabelle or Anna Belle HUBLEY – b about 1898, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada OR January 1889 Halifax. (RootsWeb and FamilySearch family tree information differs.)
Children of Ruth Constance and Murray FRANK – NIL.
Children of Ruth Constance and Douglas Keith CARMODY – 2 females.
Female Carmody 1, married STEWART, 5 STEWART children.
Female Carmody 2, married ATKINS, 2 ATKINS children.
**Douglas Keith CARMODY b 16 February 1919 in Mosman, Sydney, NSW; m 20 January 1949 Claremont, Perth, WA; death registration 25226 20 October 1977 in Concord, Sydney, NSW (father Henry David, mother Annie Ada); enlisted RAAF 11 October 1941, Service Number 420138; father Henry CARMODY; discharged from RAAF 455 Squadron on 17 May 1946 at rank of Flight Lieutenant; Casualty Beaufighter Aircraft, Hook of Holland 13 June 1944; news of his PoW status published in the “Army News Darwin” on 3 August 1944; ex-cricketer for NSW & Australia. Electoral Rolls for 1949 and 1954 both list Douglas Keith CARMODY living at Kalamunda, Perth, WA, occupation salesman, and Ruth Constance CARMODY at the same address, home duties.

Further questions – When, where and how did Ruth Constance MATTISON and Murray FRANK meet? Murray was first posted to No. 1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 9 September 1942 and embarked from Halifax on 27 October 1942. Had they met during this period, and did this meeting contribute to his return to Canada for Air Bomber training in late 1943? He again embarked from Halifax on 3 April 1944, just 2½ weeks after their marriage. Why was their marriage on the last day of his 7 day pre-embarkation leave, and not earlier during this leave? Was Ruth in the Canadian Air Force or other Service?
When, where and how did F/O Murray FRANK’s Widow Ruth FRANK meet former RAAF Fl/Lt and ex-PoW Douglas Keith CARMODY? When did she emigrate from Canada to Western Australia prior to her 2nd marriage? When & where did Ruth and Douglas CARMODY establish their subsequent family, and where are those family members now? How long did they live in Western Australia? Did Ruth ever make contact with the families of Pilot F/O A.D.J.Ball or Navigator F/Sgt N.V.Evans who also lived in Perth? When did she return to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada prior to her death there?
If any of Ruth’s descendants reads this, please make contact.

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Links with Rear Gunner F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd

On a list of crew contact details in M.J.Hibberd's personal papers – F/O Murray Frank, Wife Mrs Ruth C. Frank, 4 Owen Street, Halifax, N.S., Canada; and Father: Mr William Frank, Daly Street, Daylesford, Victoria.

In June 1944, then P/O Murray Frank and Sgt M.J.Hibberd formed a 6-man Bomber crew with Ball, Evans, Tait and Taylor after posting to 27 O.T.U., based at Church Broughton. There they trained together in Wellington Bombers. The crew remained together through further training at 41 Base, Acaster Malbis, then to 74 Base, Marston Moor, 1652 H.C.U., training in Halifaxes. Their final posting together was at 462 Squadron, 100 Group, based at Foulsham, Norfolk. Photos of the crew including Murray Frank may be viewed on the 27 O.T.U. page and the 1652 H.C.U. page.

Amongst the WW2 items brought home by F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd is a small leather pouch, possibly used to store a pocket-knife or cigarette lighter. It is not known how this memento came into M.J.Hibberd’s possession, but it clearly originated from Canada. On one side of this pouch is stamped a Maple Leaf, and below this in gold lettering is the word BANFF. Those two markings appear to be part of the original design. On the reverse side is cut or hand-engraved the name ‘Max’. This appears to be a later addition, and is very similar to examples of Murray Frank’s handwriting. It may have been given to F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd by Murray Frank, as Murray had trained in Canada for two periods, first as a Pilot (April to October 1942, Quebec), and later as a Bomb Aimer (October 1943 to March 1944, Ontario and Manitoba). Max’s brother F/O Noel Victor Hibberd trained as a Pilot in Canada (November 1942 to May 1943, Alberta). Banff is located in Alberta, so perhaps the leather pouch was a gift from Noel; however the hand-engraved ‘Max’ favours Murray Frank as the source. Regardless of who gave it to F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd, the pouch was obviously a treasured possession and is still held by his Widow.

Correspondence after WW2 from Mrs Ruth Constance Frank in Canada (F/O Murray Frank’s Widow) to F/Sgt M.J.Hibberd, is still held by M.J.Hibberd’s Widow.

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