Sergeant Francis Augustine Weaver (412292) served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Second World War. He was the son of Martha Kathleen Weaver of Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sergeant Weaver died on 28th August 1942 aged 27 years old. He was a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner on Lockheed Ventura AE917 with R.A.F. Ferry Command. The Ventura was on a delivery flight from Gander, Newfoundland, Canada when 1 of its 2 engines failed. After making an S.O.S. call at 0821hrs, the Mark IIa plane sank off the Irish shore.
The body of Sergeant Weaver washed ashore at Clooney, Co. Donegal, Éire on 6th October 1942. Pilot Officer John McCubbin also died as a result of this crash. His body came ashore in Co. Sligo, Éire on 25th September 1942. A further 2 crew members, Pilot Officer Charles de Cardonnel Findlay, and Sergeant Rhys Maelgwyn Alexander’s bodies were never recovered.
Francis Augustine Weaver’s grave is in Grave 2 of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Churchyard, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh.