Ray Kethel's Story.
Ray Kethel Bolger was born in Williamstown, Victoria on 7th August 1924. He studied at Wesley College from 1939 until 1941 when he commenced studies at Melbourne University. He left his studies on 1st January 1943 when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. He completed his training as a Navigator in Australia before embarking for the UK at Melbourne on 29th January 1944 arriving in England on 12th March 1944. He was posted to 27 OTU following his arrival in UK for bomber training and was killed in an accident at Stafford on 30th July 1944.The Accident
Wellington LP437 took off from RAF Station Lichfield, on a non-operational training flight on 30th July 1944, and crashed near Stafford at 0410 hours. The aircraft was trying to land in bad weather and crashed at Doxey Wood farm, Thorney Fields Lane off Newport road, Staffordshire approximately 15 kms south west of Stafford. All on board were killed. The aircraft was on a night bombing exercise and was diverted to Hixon from base owing to bad visibility at base. Hixon then diverted the aircraft to Seighford where an attempt was made to land. Flight Sergeant Manners was attached to No 46 Squadron RAF. The other 5 crew members were attached to 27 Operational Training Unit RAF.
The crew members of LP437 were:
Sergeant Earl Hume Beatson (435557) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Ray Kethel Bolger (430243) (Navigator)
Flight Sergeant Jack James Manners (436249) (Wireless Operator Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant John Hilary Normyle (432627) (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Hugh Alexander Smyth (44993) (Air Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Frederick Luckman Stephens (424927) (Pilot)
The crew of LP437 being buried at Blacon Cemetery