Individually, and as a group, these people are significant figures in . Australias 16th Prime Minister governed the country from Room 214 during the 1940s and unexpectedly died from a heart attack in this top floor room. RAAF emergency crews were on the scene within minutes but the force of the crash was considerable and all were presumed killed instantly. Just wondering. Funeral and memorial services 1940-41 A461, 700/1/392 War Cabinet Secretariat Title or description of record Date range Series . 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. He was serving as Army Liaison Officer on the General Staff at the time of his death. The Canberra Fire Brigade and ambulances from Canberra and Queanbeyan, across the border in New South Wales, as well as several Air Force tenders, arrived soon afterwards and fire extinguishers were played on the blazing wreckage. The Canberra Air Disaster On the morning of August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson, registration number A16-97 was on the way to Canberra from Melbourne. Just down from Florries haunt is Duntroon House. Menzies sent Tritton to the crash site to find out the details. Blundell's Cottage is among the sites shrouded in mystery. The 1940 Canberra air disaster was an aircraft crash that occurred near Canberra, the capital of Australia, on 13 August 1940, during World War II. Here lies unexploded ordnance. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. google street. The Air Disaster Memorial and other Canberra spooky places have been discussed previously on RiotACT here, here and here. I swing around, pine cone at the ready, to see the back end of a sick-looking fox as it scurries under the wreck of an abandoned car. 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. It's the 80th anniversary of Canberra's worst air disaster. In some circles, the night time trip to the memorial is considered a rite of passage. The pines guard their secrets dearly. 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. In the decades since, the crash. One of those promoted in the reshuffle was Harold Holt, recalled from Army service and thus gaining a promotion that eventually led to the Prime Ministership. It concluded that there was "no option but to attribute the stall to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot". No orbs for me my cameras batteries have inexplicably drained (which apparently is not an uncommon occurrence here). If so, Id love to hear from you. I was afraid, but it was a fear unrelated to the crash - I imagined that something awful and malevolent lurked here - but it was not the spirits of the victims. War historian and MHR for Henty For many years now, the crash site has sparked tales of distressing apparitions. He simply got up and ran out of the plane, on fire, and now a ghost. Within moments of leaving the car park, and starting up the hill the noise below disappears, cut off by the trees and the loan moan of the wind. [20], Goodwin's report, issued on 27 August, accepted the identification of the victims made by Duncan Mackellar, the medical superintendent of Canberra Hospital. Another oddity about the inquest is the causes of death. The Air Disaster Memorial Walk is a 2.8km return walk on forest roads from the entrance gate to Fairbairn Pines on Fairbairn Avenue. Interestingly enough, people have reported seeing a young woman standing near the edge of the clearing at the Canberra Disaster Memorial. Chief of the General Stafff, Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, DSO, MC Visitors to the heritage-listed cottage on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin swear they often smell burnt flesh on the breeze. If Monument Australia is useful to you, please make a donation to keep this historical and educational resource available. The memorial is a large granite monolith with a bronze inscription with a dedication to the lives . During these tours, the charismatic ghost hunter uncovers the secrets and stories behind some of the capital's allegedly haunted locales from the National Film and Sound Archive, the Air Disaster Memorial, Duntroon House and even Old Parliament House. "Anthonie Tonnon Unveils Single 'Lockheed Bomber', National Archives of Australia Fact Sheet 142, National Archive of Australia search for Fairbairn Memorial, National Museum of Australia propeller blade exhibit, Transcript of interview on ABC Stateline Canberra, 22 June 2007, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1940_Canberra_air_disaster&oldid=1124291869, Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, This page was last edited on 28 November 2022, at 06:06. There were also four Royal Australian Air Force crew on board the Hudson Bomber. 1940 A461, 700/1/391 Air accident involving deaths of Commonwealth Ministers and others. Business and technology stories from the Canberra region. The tragedy assumed the proportions of a national disaster in view of the loss of the chief administrators of Australia`s war effort. They never made it. 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. Yes, there are. If you are not familiar with the area, call Canberra Connect for directions or more information on the walk: 13 22 81. The area became known as a popular make-out spot before the road leading to the memorial was closed. Anyone else have any stories? Two friendly ghosts remain, and staff at the Mint believe they were once staff members themselves. Three Commonwealth Ministers and the Chief of the General Staff were travelling from Melbourne to attend a Cabinet meeting. Mackellar was a general practitioner with limited experience in forensic medicine,[21] and faced difficulties in distinguishing between the victims' bodies which had been burned beyond recognition. [12], The Perth Daily News reported: "The plane was seen by watchers at the Canberra Aerodrome and the Air Force station to circle the drome, and then rise and head south. Some people get little orbs of light in their photos here which paranormal aficionados suggest is evidence of ghostly energy. At the far end a grey metal plaque has been erected on an aerodynamic lectern, its surface weathered by hard Canberra winters. According to Tinny from Destiny Tours her ghost has been seen standing on the edge of a clearing, a brown sepia image that people have described accurately as her, even down to such details as having her hair pulled back, something she rarely did, but had done so on the day of her death. Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Air, Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, RAAF Pilot, Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener, RAAF Co-pilot, Corporal John Frederick Palmer, RAAF Wireless Operator, Aircraftsman Class 1 Charles Joseph Crosdale, RAAF Flight Mechanic. My heartbeat races. the-riotact.com | riotact.com.cn | regionriverina.com.au | aboutregional.com.au | b2bmagazine.com.au | thisiscanberra.com | mygungahlin.com.au. Theyre always anonymously shared in the vaguest of terms. 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). Theres the teenager who left the surrounding forest screaming that she was being followed by an airman on fire and many folk have heard dull explosions and the noise of a crashing plane. Though it was not dread, it was a distinct feeling of unease asI headed down to the opening in the forest at the site of the ADM. A poltergeist that regularly wreaks havoc in the War Memorial. On top of that, there are regular sightings of a young girl flitting through the gardens or standing on the veranda of the rubble stone cottage. Tripologist: Can we explore the Bordeaux region by train? Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region. Unfortunately, the torch I had was a feeble, wind-up model and cast little light. An account of his comments appears in the book Air Crash vol. The latest news as it happens from Canberra and the surrounding region. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. Thought you all maybe interested in this little video I made of the Air Disaster memorial in Canberra Australia. 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. Despite crime scene photography being used in Australia since the 1920s, no photographs were taken of the location of the bodies before they were removed from the wreckage. 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. 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 . I find it odd that every man wouldve died from a skull fracture. The original plaque has been replaced on several occasions because of theft or vandalism. Could the strange sightings and activity at the Canberra Disaster Memorial be connected to these two tragic events, or is it simply an urban legend. Kurrajong Hotel It would have been very easy to solve the mystery of whether or not Minister Fairbairn had been flying. Can all these people be wrong? Live it up, Lakeside.New spaces. The three ministers killed were the Minister of state for the Army, the Minister of State for Air and the Vice President of the Executive Council. Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. Expanded menu. I could hear scuttling from underneath the trees. And yet, thinking back, I am now not so sure. 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. For many years, this monolith was the only memorial to a disaster which changed the course of the war for Australia, and was partially responsible for the fall of the Menzies government. But it is. It changed him from sceptic to true believer in an instant. How Canberra could become a test case for high-speed rail, First Look: NoshersCBR - the Belconnen food van producing fantastic burgers, Minister vowed to double down on Robodebt even when told it was illegal, royal commission hears, Department of Finance executives encouraged conduct in alleged fraud conspiracy, barrister claims, Big agenda, big deal if the APS isn't at capacity, Getting loud about live music and the night-time economy. All rights reserved. Thankfully its neither. I could see the flames," recalls Mr Nott, a retired doctor. He was appointed Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940. The aircraft crashed into a hill with great force, killing all occupants instantly, then burning fiercely. Are they deluded or deranged? Did one of the bodies found in the cockpit have a disfigured right arm? Are they deluded or deranged? privacy policy. Curious to see for yourself? Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. James Fairbairn had served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and still enjoyed flying. With my clothes wet from a nervous sweat and the temperature struggling to stay above freezing I reach for my camera to take a photo of the memorial. 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. My melancholic contemplation is broken by the noise of an aeroplane. Accessibility Help. [a] However, no evidence of that nature was brought before the inquest. "[13], The plane came down in a paddock on "Dundee", a grazing property of 888 acres (359ha) owned by Duncan Cameron.[14]. I dont think I've View, Great work, looking forward to seeing the progress. Resolution of conflict withincommunities, workplace, families. On the twenty-year anniversary of the crash, a monument was erected at the site by the previous Prime Minister, Robert Menzies. To this day, almost 50 years later, there have been no arrests in the murder of Keren Rowland, and her death remains unsolved. Is it a ghost? An officer in the Australian Army from 1910, Thornthwaite was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Military Cross for his service during World War I. Am I being followed? Strangely, I am sure that I heard womens voices chattering and laughing in the distance as I stood in front of the memorial on a cold July night. If the supernatural were real, it would be natural. Sydney Airport to auction off lost laptops, phones, cameras and more. Its been 75 years since a Lockheed Hudson bomber crashed into a hill between Canberra airport and Queanbeyan, killing 10 people. Can all these people be wrong? The Mint Blundells Cottage Wikipedia entry, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), National Archives of Australia fact sheet 142, ABC News 75th anniversary of the disaster. Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders. The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is. A coronial inquest was conducted by John Goodwin, the chairman of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council and the territory's acting coroner. Mackellar had attested that it would be "fairly safe to assume that all ten men were killed when the plane hit the ground". Air Disaster Memorial in Canberra Air Disaster Memorial The Air Disaster Memorial lies at the site of the tragic crash in August 1940 which took the lives of ten men, including General Sir Cyril Brudenell White and three Federal Ministers. There are also tales of people claiming they hear the noise of a phantom plane crashing. I quickly left, having proved my courage to myself. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. The 1940 Canberra air disaster was an aircraft crash that occurred near Canberra, the capital of Australia, on 13 August 1940, during World War II. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies' ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. The embarrassment alone, if not the alcohol, would be enough for anyone to come up with some sort of supernatural excuse for their stupidity. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or an exercise junky, the trek to the memorial is one to add to your bucket list. Later on when they had reached the top of the hill they saw her again sitting on the ground crying. Anyone else have any stories? News and analysis of APS, ACT public sector and diplomatic corp policy, politics and people. 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. I sit on a stump to contemplate what a terrible sight must have greeted the first rescue crews to reach the burning wreckage. If you arent occasionally spooked, I reckon you have no imagination. Isnt the Air Disaster Memorial inaccessible at the moment because you have to go through the paintball field to get to it? By day the walk seems harmless, just an uneventful stroll through an ordinary pine forest. At night shadows loom and recede in torch light and one can be easily forgiven for imagining human shapes in the gloom. 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. Yep, you have to walk there as the gate is locked. Given this, we still must wonder about the ten men killed on the fateful day in August. So here I am, alone in a forest near midnight, with ghosts allegedly lurking in every shadow, a fox with mange stalking my every move and now Ive got live ammo to deal with. Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. Music, festivals, charity events - everything thats happening in the Canberra region. Along with the Chief of the General Staff, General White, we lost four of our top Military experts in one terrible accident. The site is hemmed in by the pine plantation and some of the native eucalyptus trees that still survive from the time of the accident. One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? 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. When Menzies attended a memorial gathering at the site on 12 August 1960, 20 years after the crash, he was seen to be still very emotional in recalling the day. This energy then replaying over and over again, usually of either the last moments of the persons life or something that the person would do regularly. A residual piece of energy that manifests itself as a ghostly nurse? The road changes from ochre, to grey stone, and back again to ochre as you progress; a steady walk of a kilometre or so, up and down a couple of small hills. The loss of so many men vital to Australias war effort was a severe blow to the country. It is quiet and still, in fact, so much so that one imagines that they can hear sounds, even in the light of day. The memorial is a large granite monolith with a bronze inscription with a dedication to the . [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. Whats that got to do with ghosts?? 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. But what happened next was a disaster. Who while serving their country lost their lives on this spot in an aircraft accident on 13th August 1940. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. A visit to the Air Disaster Memorial, Canberra Australia. Not in the mood for taking risks, I carefully place the cone on the ground. They dwell in gardens, darkened hallways and have been known to throw rooms into disarray. Of course, there is only one way to find out. A new book Meditations in Orange will be available through Pendragon Publishing & Design later this year. Friends and family have stated that Keren almost always wore her hair down, but on the night that she disappeared she was wearing her hair up. The Cabinet was permanently weakened by their loss, and that was a factor undermining Menzies's position in the following months. , Robert Menzies were also four Royal Australian Air force crew on the. Proportions of a phantom plane crashing ] However, no evidence of that nature was brought the! Affixed to the memorial is considered a rite of passage a residual piece of energy manifests. Rite of passage following months in gardens, darkened hallways and have been discussed previously on RiotACT,! For Air at the far end a grey metal plaque has been replaced on several occasions because theft. 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