Branch of Service

Air Force

Conflict

World War II (1939-1945)

Date of Enlistment

31/01/1942

Place of Enlistment

Melbourne, Victoria

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

02/12/1921

Place of Birth

Fairfield, Victoria

Address (at enlistment)

Sandringham, Victoria (previously Canberra ACT)

School(s) Attended

Hampton High School

Occupation

Public servant

Next of Kin

Son of Charlotte Gotto and stepson of Sidney Gotto of Sandringham, Victoria

Burial Place

Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany

Service Number

410655

Final Rank

Flight Sergeant

Final Unit

156 Squadron

Died 2 March 1944 aged 22 years, killed during a flying battle over Germany

AWM Roll of Honour Memorial Panel 122, Canberra ACT

Gotto was a public servant with the Department of Labour and National Service when he arrived in Canberra in 1940 to study for a Diploma of Commerce at the Canberra University College. He represented the college in hockey and cricket and returned to Melbourne in late 1941.

Gotto joined 156 Squadron in England on 14 January 1944. He was navigator on a Lancaster bomber which took off on 1 March 1944 to target Stuttgart, Germany. The plane was attacked by night fighters over the village of Hausen (near Tubingen, just to the south of Stuttgart) and was seen to explode in the air killing the crew including Gotto. The crew were initially buried near Tubingen.

Description - height 5 feet 11.5 inches, weight 150 pounds, chest 35-37 inches, Church of England.

WWII Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au
AWM Roll of Honour Database
AWM Roll of Honour Circular
NAA RecordSearch - Series A9301 (RAAF Personnel files of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and other ranks, 1921-1948)
The Canberra Times - 29 June 1940, 3 August 1940, 21 October 1940, 26 July 1941