F044 DONALD EDWIN RIPPER

F044 DONALD EDWIN RIPPER. Flight-Sergeant, Pilot 409276, Royal Australian Air Force attached to 229 Squadron, RAF Hal Far, Malta. Born21 October 1920 at Pran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Norman Clarence and Doris Marguerete Ripper nee Gibson, of Stratford, Victoria, Australia. He enlisted at in Melbourne 20 July 1941 aged 20yrs and 8 months, civilian occupation, farmer. He had previously served with 37 Battalion C.M.F (Citizens Military Force), Melbourne from 1939 to 20 July 1941. He resided with parents at ‘Neildon’ Stratford, Melbourne. He embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on the 16 June 1942 for UK and then Malta. 26th October 1943 aged 23 years at 0730hrs he was killed instantly while flying a (Repatriation Aircraft) Supreme Spitfire Mk VC EF615 which exploded mid-air over tal-Pitkali near Dingli, Malta.

Report into the accident. At the time of the accident the Spitfire he was flying exploded in mid-air. Investigation into the cause of the explosion was inconclusive. It was believed that the aircraft could have been struck by lightning. The cause was not known.

At rest in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta Plot F Grave 44

Photograph taken from service record.