| Accession Number | P08340.002 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Digital print |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 407713 Aircraftman (AC), later Sergeant (Sgt) No. 32 Squadron RAAF, James ...
Description
Studio portrait of 407713 Aircraftman (AC), later Sergeant (Sgt) No. 32 Squadron RAAF, James Alexander Herman, of Kilkenny, SA. AC Herman was a school teacher prior to enlisting on 4 January 1941. Between January 1941 and February 1942 he trained in Australia as a wireless operator/air gunner. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 May 1942. In March he was briefly attached to No. 7 Squadron based at Laverton, Vic. The next month he became a member of No. 32 Squadron making supply flights between North Queensland and Port Moresby, New Guinea. On the morning of 24 May 1942 he was a crew member of Hudson A16-91 flying in formation between Rockhampton and Townsville. The aircraft collided with another and both crashed near Giru, Qld. All three crew members on board A16-91 were killed. The crew of the other aircraft survived with only minor injuries. Sgt Herman was 28 years of age. Private Herman's brother, 407030 Sgt Ronald McGregor Herman, 37 Squadron, was also a wireless operator/air gunner. Aged 22 he too was killed in a mid-air collision, over Luga Malta.