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ROLL OF HONOUR
DALBY NATIVE.
F./O. W. T. Slaughter Killed
During Exercises.
Word has been received in Dalby
of the death of Flying Officer William
Thomas Slaughter, second son of
Superintendent and Mrs. E. D.
Slaughter, of the Dalby Centre.
Q.A.T.B., who was killed during night
exercises in the service of the
R.A.A.F., in Canada, on Tuesday last.
The message from the Air Force
state: "Deeply regret to inform
you that your son 434658 Flying
Officer William Thomas Slaughter
lost his life during the night of Aug-
ust 22nd, 1944, as a result of an ac-
cident" . Known details are that your
son was a member of the crew of
Mosquito aircraft which crashed east
of Greenwood near Harmony, Can-
ada, whilst engaged upon night
search-light and navigation exer-
cises. Aircraft struck ground at
high rate of speed and it would ap-
pear that it exploded in flight. Min-
ister for Air joins with Air Board in
expressing sympathy in your sad
bereavement."
Flying Officer Slaughter was a
native of Dalby, and would have been
20 years of age in October next. He
attended the Dalby State School and
from there passed the State Scholar-
ship examination. He attended the
Church of England Grammar School
at East Brisbane, passed the Junior
University examination, and was
continuing his studies for the Senior
University examination when he ac-
cepted an appointment on the staff
of the Commonwealth Bank of Aus-
tralia, Brisbane (Head Office, Queen
street, Brisbane branch), where he
worked until his enlistment in the
Air Force in 1942. He was called
up for service with the R.A.A.F., on
January 1st, 1943.
In November, 1943, he received
his commission with the rank of
Pilot Officer. On December 12th,
1943, he left Australia for England,
where he was for three months before
going to Canada for special training
with Mosquito training squadrons.
He was promoted to the rank of
Flying Officer on May 14th, 1944, and
word of this appointment reached
his parents on Monday of last week,
a few days before they received noti-
fication of his death.
Flying Officer Slaughter was held
in high esteem in Dalby, where he
had many friends. It is recorded that
his last act before leaving Dalby on
his last visit was to go out late at
night to assist in the treatment and
conveyance of a patient needing
Ambulance attention, an action typi-
cal of his generous and kindly nature.
To Superintendent and Mrs.
Slaughter, and their daughter, Miss
June Slaughter, sympathy has been
tendered in their bereavement by
the community. Flight-Sergeant J.
E. Slaughter, a brother of the de-
ceased, is at present serving with
the R.A.A.F. in England.
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