General News
8 March, 2025
Veterans' Voices: Clarence Lenord Hutchesson
Clarence Lenord Hutchesson was born on November 24 1912 in Horsham.
His parents were Andrew Lenord and Adeline Maude Hutchesson.
Clarence attended to Horsham High School from 1923 to 1926.
He attended Longernong Agriculture College from 1923 to 1925.
At high school he received his Merit Certificate.
Clarence’s occupations include farmer, carpenter and funeral director (including coffin making and polishing).
He enjoyed cricket, football, golf, swimming and cycle racing.
Clarence Lenord Hutchesson enlisted in the RAAF on March 28 1941 at No Recruitment Centre RAAF, Melbourne.
His next of kin was his wife, Winifred Marjory Hutchesson.
They lived at 35 Urquhart Street, Horsham.
Clarence was 28 years and four months of age.
His service number was 401729.
Clarence musterings during his service were at No 1 ITS (Initial Training School), where he was classified as aircrew V on March 28 1941.
He was transferred to No3 EFTS (Elementary Flying Training School) on June 20 1941.
Clarence was remustered as aircrew V(P) on April 23 1941 at 1 Initial Training School.
On May 24 1941 Clarence classified as LAC (Temp) aircraftman and aircrew 2 (P).
On January 16 1942 at 7 STTS (Service Flying Training School) he was promoted to aircrew pilot.
Clarence was transferred from No 3 EFTS to No 2 Embarkment Depot on August 21 1941 to serve with RACF (Royal Canadian Airforce).
He embarked in Sydney on September 18 then disembarked in San Francisco on October 7.
Clarence served from October 9 1941 until February 14 1942 with 7 SFTS (Service Flying).
He was promoted to sergeant on January 16 1942.
Clarence commenced training with Royal Canadian Airforce until February 13 1942.
He embarked for the United Kingdom on March 14 1942, disembarking on March 28, and served with the Royal Airforce.
From Personnel Reception Centre he was transferred to 2 (P) AFU (Airforce Unit) on June 30 1942, transferring to 6 (P)AFU on July 15, then served with 1517 BATF on August 8 as a pilot on strength for training only.
Clarence transferred to his last unit, 54 OTU, on August 18 1942.
Clarence had trained in DH 82 Ansen, having done 68.60 dual flying hours and 91.30 solo flying hours in day flying.
He also had 5.45 dual flying hours and 9.45 flying hours at night.
He had completed 11.5 hours of training in formation flying and completed 31.60 hours in instrument training, 35.05 hours in passenger and 25.10 hours in link training.
He trained in AFU (P) Airspeed Oxford, completing 21.05 hours of dual day training and 20.00 hours of solo day flying.
In these aircraft also completed dual night flying of 10.40 hours and solo night flying of 2.05 hours.
Clarence Lenord Hutchesson was a pilot in training when he was killed while flying a Beaufighter MII.
The accident occurred on November 13 1942, at Kettelshiel Farm near Polwarth, Berwickshire, Scotland.
Clarence’s posting was at the time of his death was 54 Operational Training Unit.
His final ranking was sergeant.
At the time, his unit was RAAF detached to RAF.
The accident report stated:
Sergeant Clarence Lenord Hutchesson flew as the fighter aircraft at about 20–30ft directly below the target aircraft with which he collided.
It seems he was using his intercommunication with his navigator who appeared to be affecting an interception, because if he hadn’t, he would have warned his pilot of the impending danger of a collision and evasive action would then have been taken.
Under the circumstances it seems likely Clarence was probably flying on instruments and climbed the aircraft from directly below, resulting in a collision with the target aircraft.
The starboard aircrew of the target aircraft removed and it damaged certain controls on the tail unit rendering Sgt Hutchesson aircraft uncontrollable.
It was an error of judgement that Sgt Hutchesson did not keep his aircraft in view since the navigator in the target aircraft normally acts as a safety lookout on such exercises.
No explanation could be put forward as to why they did not abandon the aircraft by parachute since the collision took place at approximately 10,500ft.
Clarence Lenord Hutcheson’s funeral took place at 2.30 pm (local time) on November 16 1942 at Fogo Cemetery, Duns, Berwickshire, Scotland.
He is buried in Section E3, Grave 3.
Fogo is a hamlet in Black Adder, three miles south of Duns, the capital of Berwickshire.
Clarence Hutchesson is commemorated on the Horsham Roll of Honour.
His name is located at panel 124 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial (as indicated by the poppy on the plan).
Clarence was survived by his wife Winifred and their children Brian, Clarence and Lynette Winifred.
The family obtained a war pension after his death.
With thanks: Sally Bertram, RSL Military History Library. Contact Sally at sj.bertram@hotmail.com or call 0409 351 940.