Not Forgotten, 427933 Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Goodhand PARKER, 104 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, World War 2

Geoffrey Parker, a farmer and the son of Reginald Goodhand and Ida Linda Parker of Swinnerton Park in Minnivale, was born on 31 December 1923. As soon as he was eligible, he enlisted in 62 Field park Company, Royal Australian Engineers but was to change to the RAAF reserve on 11 October 1942 at the age of 18. After initial training Geoffrey Parker embarked at Melbourne on 3 July 1943 for UK; he was attached to No. 104 Squadron RAF based at Foggia Main in Italy. Squadron 104 was equipped with Wellington bombers from April 1941 and flew out of airfields as they were available, from December 1943 the squadron was able to move onto the Italian mainland where it concentrated its attacks on targets in northern Italy and the Balkans until the end of the war.
Wellington MF137 took off at 2101 hours on the night of 1 July 1944, detailed to carry out mine laying on the Danube River between Pancevo and Groksi, Yugoslavia, as part of the Campaign to disrupt German oil supplies from Romania. During the run they were hit by anti-aircraft fire from both sides of the target area. The aircraft crashed about midnight and exploded in the vicinity of Pancevo, Yugoslavia, near the north bank of the Danube. The aircraft was buried in a hole filled with water in a maize field. The only wreckage was part of the engine and pieces of aircraft fabric.
All the crew were killed and they are buried in Belgrade War Cemetery. Geoffrey Parker’s grave inscription reads: “Loved Son of Mr. and Mrs. Reg Parker of Minnivale, Western Australia”. Along with Geoffrey Parker that day were the following flight crew: Pilot Officer Edward James Holmes, Fl. Sgt. R.A.A.F. aged 21, the pilot; Pilot Officer Kenneth George Kingerlee Fl. Sgt. R.A.F.V.R. aged 33, navigator; Pilot Officer Kenneth Norman Wiggins Fl. Sgt. R.A.F.V.R. aged 21 the Wireless Operator Air; Pilot Officer Ernest William Morgan Fl. Sgt. R.A.F. aged 26, air bomber.