Squadron Leader Charles R. Gurney
Qantas Pilot and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Pilot Killed September 2, 1942

Background
Charles Raymond Gurney was born May 22, 1906 to parents William B. Gurney and Ida Gurney in Edgecliffe a suburb of Sydney in New South Wales (NSW) in Australia. Nicknamed "Bob" married Josephine Margaret Gurney.

Prewar
Gurney learned to fly and was a pilot for Qantas Empire Airlines (QEA). On December 14, 1925 he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Point Cook Airfield. In 19296, he became a pilot with Guinea Airways for Bulolo Gold Dredging Company (BGD) in New Guinea and became its chief pilot flying their four Junker G.31 Trimotors based at Lae Airfield flying supplies and equipment inland to Bulolo Airfield and Wau Airfield to support of gold mining operations.

During the early 1930s, Gurney and Guinea Airways set many worldwide records for flights and pounds of cargo flown. Among his achievements, on October 5, 1934 Gurney took off piloting G31 Trimotor VH-UOW loaded with a massive 7,500 lb stator electric generator the heaviest and largest piece of cargo ever transported aboard an aircraft.

In 1936, he became a Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) flying de Havilland Express DH.86 on the Brisbane to Singapore route. During 1937 flew to England with Bill Crowther and Lester Brain as the first Qantas pilots to familiarize themselves with the new Short Empire flying boats purchased by the company for the Singapore to Sydney route.

Wartime History
In September 1939 at the start of World War II, the Australian government requisitioned two Short Empire flying boats and their civilian aur crews including Gurney to form Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 11 Squadron. In only five days both flying boats were converted for wartime service. On September 25, 1939 begab flying long range maritime reconassiance missions from northern Australia over New Britain, Solomon Islands and New Hebrides.

During January 1941 promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader and temporarily promoted to Commanding Officer (C. O.) of No. 11 Squadron. On April 18, 1941 piloted a PBY Catalina on the first flight from Sydney Harbor to Nouméa Harbor and delivered the first air mail letter to Nouméa.

In October 1941, Gurney plus Bill Purton and Eric Sims were reassigned back to Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) due to British pilot shortages flying the Empire Airways route from Singapore to Karachi. In March 1942 during the Java campaign flew from Singapore to Batavia on Java and flew evacuation flights from Tjilatjap southward to Broome. On February 19, 1942 Gurney was in Darwin during the Japanese attack and took shelter near the Darwin Hotel when the nearby Darwin Post Office was destroyed.

During March 1942 Gurney returned to military service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On March 8, 1942 became Commanding Officer (C. O.) of No. 33 Squadron at Garbutt Field at Townsville. At age 35, he was one of the most experienced pilots in the region with extensive knowledge about flying in New Guinea and was assigned to fly with U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a co-pilot with the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) flying B-26 Marauder on bombing missions against the Japanese.

Mission History
On May 2, 1942 took off from 3 Mile Drome (Kila) near Port Moresby as co-pilot aboard B-26 Marauder 40-1426 on a bombing mission against Simpson Harbor off Rabaul. This was this bomber's first combat mission. Over the target, damaged by anti-aircraft fire and returned on one engine, gradually loosing altitude over the Solomon Sea on the flight southward.

Although damaged, this B-26 reached southern Kiriwina Island and the pilots elected to lower the landing gear to land, likely in an attempt to save the bomber. When the wheels touched the swampy ground, the landing gear collapsed causing the bomber to flip upside down and crash. Inside the cockpit, both pilots were killed on impact. The rest of the crew survived without serious injuries.

Recovery of Remains
After the crash, the remains of both pilots were recovered and transported to Port Moresby for burial.


Memorials
Gurney was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He earned the Air Force Cross for his military service. He was initially buried with a white cross marked "C. R. Gurney Sqnd. Ldr 2 May 42" at Bomana War Cemetery. Later, a permanent grave marker was added at A3. D. 14 with the epitaph "Loved husband of Josephine and father of Christine". He is also memorialized at Cremorne, NSW on the roll of honour.

On September 14, 1942, No. 1 Strip at Milne Bay was renamed Gurney Airfield (Gurney Field) in honor of Charles R. Gurney. Today a memorial with a propeller with a plaque that reads: "GURNEY AIRPORT formerly No. 1 Strip named in honour of Sqn Ldr C. R. (Bob) Gurney AFC C. O. No 33 Squadron born Corowa N.S.W. 22. 5. 1906 Killed In Action 2. 5. 1942 Bob Gurney was a pioneer P.N.G. aviator who first flew for Guinea Airways in 1929 and later became its chief pilot. He joined Qantas Empire Airways in 1936 Flying Empire Flying Boats, then joined the R.A.A.F. in March 1942 'A Pioneer is one who goes before to prepare the way for those who follow' Erected by donations from veterans propeller donated by RAAF."

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Charles Raymond Gurney
NAA Casualty File Charles Raymond Gurney (NAA: A705, 163/34/177) pages 1-22
CWGC - Charles Raymond Gurney
FindAGrave - Squadron Leader Charles Raymond “Bob” Gurney (photo, grave photo)
S/L Gurney via Wayback Machine October 27, 2009