EDGOOSE, Tom Alfred

1915 - 1942  (27 years)

• Name	EDGOOSE, Tom Alfred
  Born	15 Feb 1915	Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  Gender	Male
  Died	11 Dec 1942	Active Service In World War 2
  Person ID	I479	Edgoose
  Last Modified	30 Jan 2024

  
  

  Father	EDGOOSE, Percy Llewellyn,   b. 7 Aug 1886, Costerfield, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 11 May 1976, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia  (Age 89 years)
  Mother	PETTY, Elsie Gertrude,   b. 20 Nov 1889, Doncaster, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 26 Oct 1969, Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia  (Age 79 years)
  Married	20 Feb 1913	Australia
  Family ID	F311	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Documents: 1859-2039

  Edgoose TomAlfredEdgoose 479 112.jpg TOM ALFRED EDGOOSE (1915-1942) FLYING OFFICER 404814 RAAF His name is carved on Panel 109 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England (known as The Air Forces Memorial).

  
  

• Notes

  TOM ALFRED EDGOOSE 1915-1942 Tom Alfred EDGOOSE was born at Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 15 February 1915, son of Elsie Gertrude and Percy Llewellyn EDGOOSE of Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia. Percy Llewellyn EDGOOSE had married Elsie Gertrude PETTY on 20 February 1913. He was a member of the Roseworthy Campus in the Australian Agricultural Colleges Intercollegiate Rifle Teams in 1933. The Australian Electoral Roll show him to have been a farmer labourer c/o TIPPETT at Dean in 1936. (This needs confirmation) From the 1936 Electoral Roll of Creswick, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia: *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred From the 1937 Electoral Roll of Hume, New South Wales, Australia: *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred From the 1937 Electoral Roll of Canterbury, Kooyong, Victoria, Australia: EDGOOSE Percy Llewellyn EDGOOSE Elsie Gertrude *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred From the 1939 Electoral Roll of Nulla Nulla, via Pentland, Jackaroo, Kennedy, Queensland, Australia: *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred (find my past) He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Melbourne, Victoria, on 8 December 1940. (www.ww2roll.gov.au) On 5 October 1941 he arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from Halifax, Canada, on the Shaw Savill Line's 'Tamaroa. He was described as an S/Pilot R.A.A.F.. (UK Incoming Passenger Lists 1878-1960) From The Argus, Melbourne, 4 November 1942: "RAAF SQUADRON CO-OPERATING WITH RED AIR FORCE LONDON, Tuesday, AAP With an RAAF squadron stationed in Russia the Australian Air Force's activities are now practically worldwide, including the Pacific and co-operation with Allied Air Forces in all parts of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Malta, Gibraltar, Aden, Iraq, India, and West Africa. The unit in Russia is co-operating with the Red Air Force and Navy in keeping open vital convoy routes to Murmansk. The squadron is commanded by a Sydney airman, Wing Cdr LINDEMAN, of the RAF, and every State in the Commonwealth is represented. Victorians include Flying-Officer A. H. G.CLARKE, of Melbourne, Plt-Off's W. W. WILSON, of Rochester, T. A. EDGOOSE and M. S. HUMPHREY, of Melbourne; Sgts V. W.MILLER and W. E. WAITES, of Melbourne; Sgt I. ACKROYD, of Geelong, and Sgt O. I. OLCORN, of Rutherglen" "Edgoose Family are "Fighters" Two first cousins from Victoria are serving with R.A.A.F. squadrons in war zones as far apart as the Arctic and Timor. Pilot Officer Thomas A. EDGOOSE, formerly of Surrey Hills is with the Australian squadron in Russia co-operating with the Soviiet Air Force and Navy in keeping open the vital Murmansk convoy route. Flight Sergeant Herbert L. EDGOOSE, of Dandenong (and at one time a clerk in the State Savings Bank at Morwell and a prominent baller in the Morwell team) took part in one oof the biggests raids yet made on Japanese occupied bases in Timor when tons of bombs were showered down on Dilli and Bobonaro. Members of the EDGOOSE family (says "The Herald") have achieved a rare record during this war and the last, six having fought with the R.A.A.F., the Navy and the A.I.F." (Morwell Advertiser, 19 November 1942) (www.trove.nla.gov.au) As Flying Officer 404814 R.A.A.F. 455 Squadron Hampden Torpedo Bombers he was shot down and killed off the coast of Norway on 11 December 1942. His name is inscribed on panel 109 of the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede. He was an RAAF bomber navigator. 455 squadron was formed on 23 May 1941, as part of 5 Group Bomber Command, stationed at Swinderby, and became operational in August of that year. The squadron was transferred to Coastal Command in April 1942 and retrained as a torpedo-bomber squadron based at Wigsley. Squadron ID letters UB. During its time as part of 5 Group the squadron flew 424 sorties in 92 raids, which consisted of 56 bombing, 29 minelaying, and 7 leaflet. Out of the 424 sorties 14 aircraft were lost (3.3%). 455 was the first Australian squadron to fly with Bomber Command. Squadron motto- "Strike and Strike Again". The squadron was moved to Leuchers in October/November 1942 and then on to Russia. From a letter dated 14 December 1942 from Group Captain WHITTLE, Commanding, RAF Station, Leuchars, Scotland: ".........and to make landfall at Egero, then under leadership of 455/S (F/Lt. O'CONNER) this crew was to patrol the coast in a northerly direction, and in formation then to return to base if no target was sighted. Torpedo Mark XIII B was carried......... P/O GUNTON reported for duty with 455 Squadron on 25th April, and has completed 7 sorties as Captain of aircraft. P/O EDGOOSE reported for duty on with 455 Squadron on 15 March 1942 and had completed 9 sorties as navigator. Sgts. THOMAS and CROSSLEY had reported on 19 February, 1942, and 18 April, 1942, respectively, and had completed 9 and 6 operational sorties respectively." (http://naa12.naa.gov.au) "Hampden P2078 (UB-P) of 455 Squadron listed as missing while on a 'Rover' daytime torpedo patrol off Norway on 11/12/42. Crew were: P/O G. I. GUNTON; F/O T. A. EDGOOSE; Sgt. D. F. THOMAS; Sgt A. E. CROSSLEY (All RAAF). This type of patrol would be looking for targets of opportunity." "455 ferried a/c to Russia and then returned to be issued with relacement Hampdens. GUNTON and THOMAS were reported as being POW's. Other two posted as 'Missing'. They flew from Leuchars when they were lost." (e-mails from PPar500380@aol.com via WILLIS@lister7.fsnet.co.uk) E-mail from his brother Harry EDGOOSE on 27 March 2001: "the statement on Tom's flight triggered memory of remarks by my father that on attacking an enemy ship the aerial torpedo failed to release. the plane was brought down during a second pass. I can only surmise that my father learned of this from one of the survivors". His aircraft took off at 1050 hours in company with other aircraft to patrol the Norwegian coast. At 1309 hours the aircraft was seen to turn 120 degrees to port and disappear towards the Norwegian coast in fog. Nothing further was seen or heard of them. In his 'Capture Card' Pilot Officer GUNTON wrote that an anti-aircraft shell exploded in the petrol tank taking off most of the port wing and the aircraft went down in the sea. (http://naa12.naa.gov.au) A statement from POW Pilot Officer G. I. GUNTON: "On the 11th December I was patrolling off the Norwegian Coast when due to enemy action my aircraft was very badly hit setting the port wing on fire. I was at very low altitude and knew that I should have to crash into the sea. I gave the ordededer to ditching stations but soon after my wing blew off and fell off. The aircraft immediately dived into the sea. I managed to extricate myself and Seargeant THOMAS was thrown clear. I saw nothing of Pilot Officer EDGOOSE (Observer) or Sergeant CROSSLEY (Air Gunner) while I was in the water which I am sure I would have done as the sea was calm and it was daylight. Seargeant THOMAS and I were picked up by fishing boats and transferred to another ship. While in the ship the Germans told us that one of our friends was dead in the water, but I never saw the body nor did Seargeant THOMAS. Since being a Prisoner of War I have heard nothing more of the two men. Both Sergeant THOMAS and I are uninjured. The crew were all Australians. The crew had flown together quite some time and had reached a high state of efficiency. Sergeant CROSSLEY was a very keen, alert and capable lad. Pilot Officer EDGOOSE was my close friend and an extremely fine type. He was very popular with all in the Squadron as also was Crossley. I feel the loss of both very keenly. Please convey my sorrow to both families." (http://naa12.naa.gov.au) A statement from Sergeant D. F. THOMAS: "Shot down by German ship and crashed in water. Both Pilot Officer GUNTON and myself were picked up and taken aboard German ship. Sergeant CROSSLEY and Pilot Officer EDGOOSE did not get out of aircraft and were not seen again. Both believed to have been killed." (http://naa12.naa.gov.au) His personal effects were listed as: 1 tin Trunk containing 1 Pr. leather slippers 1 Blue Rain coat 1 Blue Dressing gown and girdle 4 Black Ties 2 Green Ties 1 Pr Sunglasses in leather case 1 Hair brush 1 Clothes brush 1 Comb damaged 2 Prs K.D. Trousers 2 green sports shirts 1 white Shirt 6 blue Shirts 1 K.D. Shirt 2 suits Pyjamas 1 white Sports Sweater 12 blue Collars 2 K.D. Collars 1 Pr Swim trunks & belt 5 Pullovers 3 Prs K. D. Shorts 1 Pr Riding Trousers 1 K.D. Belt & buckle 32 only Socks 1 woollen sleeve 1 Pr Suspenders 1 "Baby Brownie" Canmera in cloth case 2 Towels 2 Prs Sandshoes 2 Prs black Shoes 1Pr black boots with crepe soles 1 18" ruler 1 small leather covered note pad 1 Diary 1 Tin Adhesive Plaster 1 pipe 1 "Triel" Pocket watch, glass broken, in leather case 1 jack knife & cord 1 Pr Spectacles in leather case 13 Handcerchiefs (sic) 1 Identity disc on metal chain Books 1 "The Man from Snowy River" 1 "Rio Grande's Last Ride" 1 "Family Farm" 1 "The Christopher Robin Verses" 1 "Kiplings Verse" 1 "The Spirit of Man" 1 "The Poems of Adam Lindsay Gordon" 1 "English Verse" 1 Practical Air Navigation 1 Booklet "Logarithmic Tables" 1 metal cigarette case containing 9 foreign coins 1 Leather strap 2 blue Balaclava Helmets 1 Pr blue woollen mittens 5 Prs jockey shorts 6 Prs Drawers 9 Singlets 1 Flannel Undershirt 1 Pr blue shorts 1 Pr white shorts 1 Envelope containing used Stamps 1 Driving Licence 1 blue covered Note Pad 1 Bundle letters & private Papers in envelope 15 Postcards 4 Booklets 1 Portrait in folder 1 Cardboard writing folder containing 1 Writing Pad 2 University bookklets 3 Envelopes 1 Foreign Newspaper 1 Officers Greatcoat with C & E and braid 1 Suit case, marked T. A. Edgoose RAAF containing 1 Key 1 Pr green civilian trousers 1 green civilian coat 4 Prs blue Trousers 2 blue Offivers Trousers with Obs. brevet 1 blue Officers Tunic with Obs. Brevet & braid 1 Parcel contg:- 70 photos 42 postcards 1 Souvenir Photo in folder 3 Booklets of Views 1 Newspaper Cutting From the 1943 Electoral Roll of Kennedy, Queensland, Australia: *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred From the 1943 Electoral Roll for Canterbury, Kooyong, Victoria, Australia: EDGOOSE Percy Llewellyn EDGOOSE Elsie Gertrude *EDGOOSE Tom Alfred From The Argus, 28 July 1943: "Tom Alfred EDGOOSE. Late of 1 Vincent Street, Surrey Hills, Farm Labourer, Deceased. - After fourteen clear days Percy Llewellyn EDGOOSE of Vincent street, Surrey Hills, collector, the executor appointed by the deceased's will, dated the 26th day of February 1941, will APPLY to the Supreme Court for a grant of PROBATE of the said WILL. ABBOTT, BECKETT, STILLMAN, & GRAY, 422 Little Collins street, Melbourne, solicitors." In a letter written from the Landsborough Stud, Hoults Lane, Moyhu, Victoria, on 8 February 2000 Harry Petty EDGOOSE wrote: "....my brother Tom was a RAAF bomber navigator, not a pilot." (revised 03.04.2016)