The missing airmen

On many graves in many cemeteries are the names of those who served but who are not lying peacefully in that grave.
So many families added the names of their loved ones to a headstone when there was no place for them to visit in a war torn world.
Some were found and later interred in war graveyards overseas. But sometimes not only are their bodies missing - but also exactly what happened.
In a quiet part of Karori Cemetery is the headstone to George Ludwig Boeson, an engineer from Petone who was a member of the reserves in World War One. George worked at the Gear meatworks - one of the largest employers in the area. He was married to Vinola (nee Edwards).
Also on his headstone is his son, Jack Ludwig Boeson, who is listed as missing from air operations in World War Two.
In fact, there are three other kiwi airmen missing with Jack - whose names are barely remembered - if only because of the mystery of what happened to them.
They were Warrant Officer Jack Ludwig Boeson, 26, of Wellington, Flight Sergeant Alister Bain Pinching, 26 - married to Olga - from Gisborne, Flight Sergeant Cyril Laurie Corbett, 24, from Lower Hutt who left a twin and his wife Jean and Flight Sergeant Anthony Victor Peter Madsen, about 23 from Palmerston North.
All four were members of the 4th Squadron stationed in Nausori, Fiji during World War Two. On January 2, 1944 they took off in their Hudson 111A aircraft on an anti-submarine patrol.
After a routine wireless test they were never heard from again although another patrol saw them and believed they were on the right course.
A search found nothing. They are remembered now on the Bourail Memorial in New Caledonia. And Jack, Alister and Anthony on the headstones of their parents.
Normally we finish with a grave, and we have a picture of George’s. But for Jack, Alister, Cyril and Anthony, where they lie is unknown. Wherever that is, RIP.