Captain Howard Whitney Spry was killed in action whilst flying as an Artillery Observer over Balikpapan, Borneo on 2nd July, 1945.

H.W. (“Sam”) Spry was the son of Frederick William and Kate Laura Spry, of Iona Ave., Toorak, Melbourne. He was one Carey’s 66 ‘Foundation Scholars’, along with Frank Pascoe and Stuart Swanton, who also lost their lives in WWII.

He spent only two years at Carey before continuing his education elsewhere, culminating with 3 years at Geelong Grammar where he obtained Colours in Rowing, Football and Athletics. Starting a business career, he entered the employ of a warehouse and also helped to run a boys’ club in Prahran.

He served in the Militia from 1938. Entering the A.I.F. in May, 1940, he sailed for the Middle East as a sergeant with the 2/8 Field Regiment. He was briefly posted to a Royal Artillery O.T.U. near Cairo, where he obtained his commission. He served throughout the Middle East campaign
with the 9th Division, and in the battle of El Alamein (Oct.1942) was an Intelligence Officer with the Artillery. After returning to Australia he was transferred to Artillery Staff, 1st Aust. Corps. A course at the R.A.A.F. Co-operation School followed, and subsequently he was appointed an Air Liaison Officer and promoted to Captain. He then served in New Guinea and then in Morotai. Later he was attached to HQ Royal Australian Artillery 1 Corps.

During the operations to re-take Borneo he was one of two Army Observers (and one RAAF) in a 24 Sqn. B-24 Liberator which was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Balikpapan whilst undertaking an Army Co-operation sortie in support of ground troops invading Borneo. It crashed around 1245 hrs. There were no survivors among the 10 crew, including experienced Pilot F/Lt R McD Beattie DFM, and the three observers.

A letter to his father from his colonel said:

“When the plane was shot down, 'Sam' was doing just what we all would have expected of him, namely, with complete disregard for his own safety, and full knowledge of the risks he was taking, he was doing his utmost to aid and support the ground troops. It may help you to know, too, that you may well be proud of the courage and achievements of your son. He carried out his job efficiently, cheerfully, and gallantly.”

He had been engaged to Miss Marjorie Tatnall for only six weeks. He was also survived by his sister Heather (Mrs. B.Allen), brother and fellow Carey Grammarian Fl.Lt. Francis (Frank), serving with 3 RAAF Hospital, and sister Yvonne (Mrs.J.Tuckfield).

He is commemorated on the Toorak War Memorial in Melbourne.