Service Numbers:--- S11997, 39854
Enlisted:--- 21 March 1940, Unley, SA
Last Rank:--- Leading Aircraftman
Last Unit:--- No. 18 Squadron Netherlands East Indies (NEI), RAAF
Born:--- Moorak, Mount Gambier, South Australia, 18 June 1919
Home Town:--- Peake, The Coorong, South Australia
Schooling: ---Moorak School & Mt Gambier High School, South Australia
Occupation:--- Post Office Assistant
Died:--- Flying Battle, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia , 4 February 1943, aged 23 years
Cemetery:--- Adelaide River War Cemetery
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Max Temby PALAMOUNTAIN was born in 18th June, 1919 at Moorak, Mount Gambier, South Australia
His parents were William Arundel PALAMOUNTAIN and Amy Edna KILSBY
He first enlisted with the Army on 21st March, 1940 & later enlisted with the RAAF on 29th July, 1941
On 23rd March, 1942 he married Lillian Enid WRAY in the Baptist Church, Peake, SA
On 6th July, 1942 No. 18 Squadron was officially deleted as a unit of the RAAF and became part of the Netherlands East Indies Forces. The squadron moved to the Darwin area in January 1943 & under the operational control of RAAF Command continued its attacks and anti shipping strikes throughout the Netherlands , East Indies.
At approximately 7.45pm on 4th February, 1943, B25C Mitchell, N5 -132 of 18 Squadron of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI -AF) , crashed about 3 to 4 miles east of its home base at McDonald Airfield in the Northern Territory due to engine problems after takeoff on an operational mission. The whole crew of eight plus one passenger, which included 3 RAAF personnel were tragically killed.
Max died on 4th February, 1943 and is buried in Adelaide River War Cemetery - his name is memorialised on the Australian War Memorial
Mr Ken Palamountain of Kongorong, received word that his brother, Leading Aircraftsman, Max Temby Palamountain has been Killed in Action. He was the 3rd son of Mr. & Mrs. W.A Palamountain of Murray Bridge and received his education at Moorak school and the Mount Gambier High School. He had been in the RAAF two years and was stationed somewhere in Australia. LAC Palamountain was 23 years of age and 12 months ago he married Miss Wray of Peake
His brother William John PALAMOUNTAIN (2533) served in the RAN & another brother Kenneth William PALAMOUNTAIN (140295) was also in the RAAF
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{Suggested edit: Leading Aircraftman, No, 18 Squadron Netherlands East Indies, RAAF
Son of William Arundel Palamountain and Amy Edna Kilsby.
Contributor: nettlyne (47486944) • [email protected]}