[29] The Air Board separately constituted a three-person Service Court of Inquiry led by Wing Commander Leon Lachal and assisted by Squadron Leader Frederick Stevens and Pilot Officer George Pape. Most of these senior Commonwealth figures held posts related to Australia's defence. It was felt that, in 1940, Australia still had not committed fully to Canberra as its National Capital. Behind, is the older memorial, erected on the site of the crash in 1960; a single monolith of stone with a metal plaque. Chief of the General Stafff. It is quiet and still, in fact, so much so that one imagines that they can hear sounds, even in the light of day. Another story regarding the Air Disaster Memorial is even less believable in that a young girl was once found dead under a 500 kilogram cattle grid although the ground around the grid had not been disturbed. I have heard first, second, third and fourth hand stories of cars losing power and failing to start, lights fading, whispered voices, and most oddly, cars rolling uphill of their own accord. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. It was a completely airworthy plane in the hands of a competent pilot. Vice - President of the Executive Council, General Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White,KCB, KCMG, KCVO, DSO When I first read about this legend, I immediately had a mental image of a man who was killed in the crash but didnt realize he was dead. Almost as ridiculous as the uphill rolling cars is the myth that, if your car stops on the cattle grid near the memorial, a ghostly nurse who was present after the 1942 aircraft crash, and who tried to help, will coming running from the forest and try to get into the car, as if to help you. With nothing more to gain, I jog back to Fairbairn Avenue, careful to dodge every pine cone along the way. I pick it up perhaps I can throw it in self-defence. Theres an anecdote of a fireman kicking what he thought was a burning log out of the way only to discover that it was part of a body. I have wanted to visit the memorial for a number of years as it is the site of a tragedy that became a turning point in Australias political and military history. He was appointed Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940. There are also tales of people claiming they hear the noise of a phantom plane crashing. A night at the Kurrajong may result in a terrific sleep or, if the late Ben Chifley is up to his usual antics, you may not sleep at all. Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. Your help would be greatly appreciated. It couldnt be, could it? Brigadier Geoffrey Street, Minister for the Army and Repatriation. All rights reserved. In August 1940, just after the start of World War Two, three Cabinet Ministers and the Chief of the General Staff, plus another six people were killed when a Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed Hudson bomber stalled and crashed into the mountain. To make matters worse, it suddenly dawns upon me the uncanny resemblance that a pine cone bears to a hand grenade, especially in near darkness. All ten people on board were killed: six passengers, including three members of the Australian Cabinet and the Chief of the General Staff; and four crew. A memorial was suggested in Parliament by Dr Maloney (Labor) on 14 August 1940. (I recomend playing paintball there, its great). Two of the ministers were later followed into federal politics by their sons, Jo Gullett and Tony Street. [1] One other issue raised in the aftermath of the crash concerned the almost impossible travel itinerary imposed on Government Ministers at that time, a burden which had them regularly travelling between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. the-riotact.com | riotact.com.cn | regionriverina.com.au | aboutregional.com.au | b2bmagazine.com.au | thisiscanberra.com | mygungahlin.com.au. I continue up the track and into a breeze which begins to wail a mournful tune through the thousands of pine needles and around the corner, my torch illuminates an ominous sign Do not touch anything. On 9 August, the station administrative officer at RAAF Laverton received instructions to prepare a flight to Canberra on 13 August, to be reserved for James Fairbairn, the air and civil aviation minister. Were told this is a forget what you know situation, diall National burger chain Hello Harry opened its first store in Canberra last week, adding to the delicious array of eaterie February 27, 2023 | Food & Drink, Arts, Culture. This remote and slightly eerie site would make a good setting for a scene in my next book, and I am contemplating a meeting between Clio and Renee occurring here for a number of reasons. Menzies was deeply affected by the crash, both personally and politically. The road deteriorates into a series of muddy puddles and within a few paces, the traffic noise of Fairbairn Avenue gives way to silence. [28] The RAAF's Inspectorate of Air Accidents, led by Arthur William Murphy with the assistance of Henry Winneke, submitted a report on 16 August which concluded that the immediate cause of the accident was a stall. Its age-old hallways were once lined with hundreds of skulls and today it has at least three known spooks playing havoc in many of the darkened rooms and old cinema. Your ultimate guide to dining, nightlife, entertainment, wineries, style and events in the capital. He simply got up and ran out of the plane, on fire, and now a ghost. Sarah Collins you will have to make a special trip to the north side so we can go!!! Local Business. A pastoralist and accomplished aviator who served with the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, Fairbairn was elected to Federal Parliament in 1933 and became Minister for Civil Aviation and Vice-President of the Executive Council in 1939. The pines guard their secrets dearly. Who while serving their country lost their lives on this spot in an aircraft accident on 13th August 1940. She is said to be wearing slightly outdated clothing, with long brown hair that is pulled up. Duntroon House New budget airline arrives, but will it drive down high airfares? 3) Rolling Hills Asylum. According to an August 14, 1940 article in The Argus Officials who examined the wreckage are certain that it was very little damaged in the landing, and that had the fire not occurred, the occupants would have escaped. It seems perhaps it was easier on the coroner to tell the families of these men that they died instantly from skull fractures, and not that they died a horrible death from smoke inhalation and fire after the initial crash. 2012, an article was posted in the Traveller website by "Tim the Yowie man", that included the site of the air crash on a list of the most haunted places in Australia . Thick cloud cover blocks out any light provided by the near new moon. Youre correct. Its amazing the effect that a cloak of darkness can have on you. [31], The conclusion of the Murphy and Lachal reports was immediately disputed by the RAAF's Director of Training George Jones, who stated "I cannot believe that a pilot of Hitchcock's experience would stall the aircraft under the circumstances which apparently existed". Theyre always anonymously shared in the vaguest of terms. [5] A daily inspection was completed on the morning of the flight and signed off by the pilot Bob Hitchcock. Explosions? This 3km loop through the Fairbairn Pine plantation outside of Canberra is a nice trip through dense pine forest with a unique stop along the way at the Air Disaster Memorial. The Air Disaster Memorial has a dark history with vehicles, Ten key moments from 95 years of the Canberra Airport. My reduced state of anxiety doesnt last long. On the approach to the RAAF airbase at Fairbairn, it lost altitude and crashed through the eucalypt trees into the top of the hill. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. In the wake of the loss of three senior Cabinet ministers, Menzies was forced to reshuffle his ministry. Thememorial itself embodied sadness, the inscription and the names discerned by the feeble light of my torch. It may explode and kill you! Ive taken a wrong turn and have reached the boundary of the adjacent military target area (the original access to the memorial). . Music: Thunderstorm - Hanu DixitLove what I do? The Air Disaster Memorial is dedicated to the memory of those who died when an RAAF Lockheed Hudson aircraft crashed on this site on 13th August 1940. He was elected to Parliament in 1925, becoming Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 1929 to 1930, Minister for Trade and Customs from 1928 to 1929 and 1932 to 1933, Minister without portfolio from 1934 to 1937, Minister for External Affairs and Information from 1939 to 1940, and was appointed vice-president of the Executive Council in March 1940. Nurses honour one of their best with unique statue to be installed at War Memorial, Odd jobs: horror movies are real life for Canberra's paranormal investigators, Candid shot of college years going 'up in smoke' finalist in photography competition, Things to do in Canberra this week (22 - 28 April). Racawicka 2, 37-700 Przemyl, Polska - email: smsprzemysl@wp.pl - KRS 0000240966 Theres nothing unusual about a car stalling and then rolling forward. Courtesy National Archives of Australia As we commemorate Armistice Day we remember the WWII service and sacrifice of Strathfield Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener who died in 1940, aged 29. They spotted smoke rising from within the canyon but not. I could hear scuttling from underneath the trees. The Air Disaster Memorial is not on Mount Ainslie. At some point we all became aware of occasional noises coming from scrub it was the sound of someone walking through the bush i.e. Months passed with no sign of Keren. If so, Id love to hear from you. Not only was this crash a tragedy for all of the family and friends of the men killed, but it was also a tragedy for Australia; the prime minister had just lost some of his closest friends and allies. The aircraft, a RAAF Lockheed Hudson II bomber, was flown by an experienced Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, Flight Lieutenant Robert Hitchcock. This 5.5km loop through the Fairbairn Pine plantation outside of Canberra is a nice trip through dense pine forest with a unique stop along the way at the Air Disaster Memorial. As we have seen, ten people died in a horrific fiery crash on the very site. Finally, on May 13th, 1971, the skeletal remains of Keren Rowland were found at the Canberra Disaster Memorial by a hiker. Sounds creepy, maybe we should camp there a night. Personally, I think it's only a matter of handling your throttles wisely". Is it private property or is there some other reason? The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is. I sit on a stump to contemplate what a terrible sight must have greeted the first rescue crews to reach the burning wreckage. Speculation arose that it was during this time that Minister Fairbairn changed seats with the co-pilot, Richard Wisener. Deja not-so vu: plenty to surprise audiences at the 2023 French Film Festival, New multi-day walk set to take trekkers on a stunning South Coast journey, 'A great deal of hurt': Footage shows Thomas Matthews crashing car into three police officers. At the far end a grey metal plaque has been erected on an aerodynamic lectern, its surface weathered by hard Canberra winters. They dwell in gardens, darkened hallways and have been known to throw rooms into disarray. For many years now, the crash site has sparked tales of distressing apparitions. Resolution of conflict withincommunities, workplace, families. Just great! [32], On 12 August 2020, the day before the 80th anniversary of the crash, Michael Wooldridge, a former Minister of the Australian Government, wrote a revelatory story in The Australian. It was not clear where the sound was coming from; if we were quiet and tried to listen the noises would stop. The wreckage was first spotted many hours later by Henry and Palen Hudgin, brothers who flew short taxi flights for Grand Canyon Airlines. Get free shore excursions, beverages and shipboard credit with Oceania Cruises, Get $1500 in bonus value on Fiji island escape, Get $450 in bonus value on Fraser Island holiday, See Vivid Sydney and get a $600 bonus on your stay. [20], Being an RAAF flight, responsibility for the crash lay with the Department of Air rather than the Department of Civil Aviation and its Air Accident Investigation Committee. One of the mates freaked out and sat in the car and the other mate tried to approach her, she ran off again into the darkness of the trees. ", Brigadier the Hon Geoffrey Austin Street, MC, ED, MP, Minister of State for the Army -Minister of State for Repatriation, The Hon James Valentine Fairbairn, MP Pilot of doomed RAAF bomber can finally be revealed - The biggest cover-up in Australian political history is finally revealed. Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Horror plane crash that destroyed a government The accident site of the crash. [24], Based on Mackellar's evidence, Goodwin concluded "I am of the opinion that the men were killed before the plane was burnt". Over time the costs of maintaining this website have risen substantially (in fact they are probably larger than those of many companies who exist for profit). 1940 A461, 700/1/391 Air accident involving deaths of Commonwealth Ministers and others. I was glad to encounter them, as their presence meant that loose dogs were unlikely. The biggest one being, who was flying the plane? It goes like this: A young girl was found beneath a cattle guard near the memorial. Staff Officer to Gen. White, Mr. Richard Edwin Elford Sporting news from the ACT and Capital region. Every direction appears devoid of life, just tall darkened tree trunks lined up like thousands of giant tombstones. The Court of Inquiry into the accident found that it was most likely from the aircraft stalling on its landing approach, resulting in loss of control at a height too low to recover. Ive never experienced. Its an interesting place, quite eerie, but this is expected given its remote location, the history of the place, and the stories that circulate about it. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, Staff Officer to General White. Updated 2/10/2020 - Both planes crashed in North Parka San Diego neighborhood. It seems fitting that these sounds intrude; linking the past to the present. Suggestion is a major reason for individuals experiencing occurances. The cause of death listed on the death certificates is exactly the same for all of the men: Fractured Skulls. This Friday is the 70th anniversary of Canberra's worst air disaster - when a Lockheed Hudson bomber plummeted into a hillside near Queanbeyan, burst into flames and killed all 10 people on board instantly. Rhetorical question. My friend told me about 10 years ago, him and his mates went up there and saw a young girl near the gate. [11], The Ministers and General White, with their staff, were being flown from Melbourne to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. On 13th August 1940, three Commonwealth ministers, the Chief of General Staff, two of their staff and four crew members flew in a RAAF Lockheed Houston aeroplane from Melbourne to Canberra to attend a Cabinet meeting. On the morning of August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson, registration number A16-97 was on the way to Canberra from Melbourne. Most are convinced its the ghost of 16-year-old Florrie Blundell who died in 1892 from terrible burns. . [25] This conclusion contradicted initial newspaper reports that the victims had been killed by the post-crash fire. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. History has shown us that ghosts and the supernatural are entirely imaginary. When I first began researching these legends, I figured that the location probably wasnt haunted, but the more information I uncovered, the more I started to question if maybe it was haunted after all. But more seriously, does anyone know why the road to the memorial is locked up? Even during the day the area around the memorial is spooky. One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? Of course, there is only one way to find out. It was received by the No. As the myth goes, she has smashed windscreens to get into the car, simply to help those in there, believing them to be part of the Hudson crash. Deja not-so vu: plenty to surprise audiences at the 2023 French Film Festival, New multi-day walk set to take trekkers on a stunning South Coast journey, 'A great deal of hurt': Footage shows Thomas Matthews crashing car into three police officers. [Ed] And there the story ended as though the ghost had come to finish poor Panhead off. Anyone else have any stories? but according to some, there are other memories of the crash still around as well. One of the odd things about this crash was that for a lot of people, the inquiry into the accident left more questions rather than answers. Accessibility Help. Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region. Newspaper editorials across the country recognised this. Thats questionable, but planesyes. It replaced an earlier traffic island. Cockpit For All Aircraft. The crash killed ten people, four of whom were senior members of the Australian Government. In many cases, yes. Hey, would you be willing to share your experience for an article I am writing? Is it too soon to get excited about the 2023 Brumbies? yea the new access road goes up between the speedway and paintball fieldnow that you mention engines suddenly stopping and refusing to start i recall this happening to me on the speedway many timesalmost certainly caused by the ghosts i would say..or perhaps holden v6s dont like having the rev limiter removed and then being revved to well past 10000 rpm?.either way i wish itd stop bloody happening. They got out of the car and she disappeared. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and . When the fanatical Christians are up there its spooky. Nah! Is it time Australia looked beyond Defence for disaster response? Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. [20], Goodwin's report, issued on 27 August, accepted the identification of the victims made by Duncan Mackellar, the medical superintendent of Canberra Hospital. A new book Meditations in Orange will be available through Pendragon Publishing & Design later this year. This week we honored the victims of the 9/11 attack, the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. To this day, almost 50 years later, there have been no arrests in the murder of Keren Rowland, and her death remains unsolved. The aircraft crashed into a hill with great force, killing all occupants instantly, then burning fiercely. Do the spirits of these men haunt the pine forests and lonely dirt roads that lead to the memorial itself? View, Mookie Moo we will have flying trains by then View, Lets hope for a progressive Gov in NSW in March that would see the political angle removed with View, Justin Watson yes perhaps. Are they deluded or deranged? People that were in the area reported seeing unearthly lights that would flash in an old dirt parking lot next to the memorial. 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