On leaving I could see and hear kangaroos jumping ahead and behind me. Youd think itd be a relief, but instead Im overcome with a wave of sadness for the people who tragically lost their lives at this spot on August 13, 1940. Live it up, Lakeside.New spaces. If you want more detail, youll just have to sign on to one of Tims ghost tours. Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? in 1940, Australia still had not committed fully to Canberra as its National Capital. Its worth remembering the site isnt that far from the runways of Canberras airport. [6], Fairbairn had been working at his departmental headquarters in Melbourne and requested the flight in order to attend an important cabinet meeting on defence policy, which would discuss the allocation of Australian resources in the war. View, Opportunities to acquire skills and improve their chances of successful reintegration into the View, Major events are generally infrequent, scheduled, well managed with a defined finish time and View, We have lots of major events (music and otherwise) that attract interstate visitors and bring in View, And just a little hint for those who might not be aware. [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. Business and technology stories from the Canberra region. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. It was a disaster from which Menzies United Australia Party government never managed to recover. James Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation. Witnesses reported seeing a dark car near Kerens car on the night in question and said a woman fitting Kerens description was walking towards the car. 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. . The cause of the crash has always been a mystery, although there has never been any suggestion of enemy action or sabotage. Music, festivals, charity events - everything thats happening in the Canberra region. He simply got up and ran out of the plane, on fire, and now a ghost. I was glad to encounter them, as their presence meant that loose dogs were unlikely. The monolith was dedicated on 13 August 1960 in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Hon. The aircraft, a RAAF Lockheed Hudson II bomber, was flown by an experienced Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, Flight Lieutenant Robert Hitchcock. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies' ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. 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[Ed] And there the story ended as though the ghost had come to finish poor Panhead off. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's, Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia (Parkes Place -Canberra ACT 2600), Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra, National Museum of Australia Lawson Crescent Acton, ACT 2601, Grass fire sparked near Majura Firing Range, Two people killed in highway crash near Gunning, Man accused of breaking the law one hour after receiving bail, Amaroo man refused bail over allegedly collecting 500,000 files of child abuse, All aboard? Its not clear if the reports of the spectral burning airman happened before the memorial was erected. Maybe thats why ghosts hate cars. Hey, would you be willing to share your experience for an article I am writing? 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. 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. It has always been suspected that he may have persuaded the RAAF crew to allow him to fly the plane into Canberra. In many cases, yes. A. F. Corporal John Frederick Palmer, R. A. The memorial commemorates a plane crash that occurred in 1940 and killed 10 people, including 4 senior government figures. Visitors to the heritage-listed cottage on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin swear they often smell burnt flesh on the breeze. They were either young and in their prime, or in positions of great power. [8] The chiefs of staff of the army, navy and air force were also due to be in attendance. If the supernatural were real, it would be natural. The silence is sometimes punctured by the distant sound of gunfire from the Defence firing range or the passage of helicopters and aeroplanes flying over from the nearby airport. The Outcome MattersNext Level DentistryNext Level Outcomes. Later on when they had reached the top of the hill they saw her again sitting on the ground crying. When we started talking again the noises would come back, this went on until we left, recalls Mr Evans. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. Even during the day the area around the memorial is spooky. It was not clear where the sound was coming from; if we were quiet and tried to listen the noises would stop. The area surrounding the memorial is quiet and even in the day one gets the feeling of being watched. Hear tales of: The Canberra funeral parlour that was once a hot bed of espionage activity. 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. Sarah Collins you will have to make a special trip to the north side so we can go!!! With the onset of World War II, Street's portfolio was split, and he became Minister for the Army. It sounds quite close. 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. View, Opportunities to acquire skills and improve their chances of successful reintegration into the View, Major events are generally infrequent, scheduled, well managed with a defined finish time and View, We have lots of major events (music and otherwise) that attract interstate visitors and bring in View, And just a little hint for those who might not be aware. They flash really quick but they also could've also been raindrops as it was spitting a bit. It gives an unnerving twang as my boot clips the cold steel chain. . Live it up, Lakeside.New spaces. It seems fitting that these sounds intrude; linking the past to the present. It is quiet and still, in fact, so much so that one imagines that they can hear sounds, even in the light of day. Explosions? 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. Australian War Memorial Two of the ministers were later followed into federal politics by their sons, Jo Gullett and Tony Street. 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. Hey guys Anthony hereI went out to the air disaster memorial in canberra and all was going good until I heard a strange noise coming from the bushes, I am no. 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. A few documented stories. 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. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's, Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia (Parkes Place -Canberra ACT 2600), Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra, National Museum of Australia Lawson Crescent Acton, ACT 2601, Grass fire sparked near Majura Firing Range, Two people killed in highway crash near Gunning, Man accused of breaking the law one hour after receiving bail, Amaroo man refused bail over allegedly collecting 500,000 files of child abuse, All aboard? [30] Lachal's report went into more depth and consideration of technical detail, but reached the same conclusion, that the crash was "due to the aircraft stalling when approaching the aerodrome to land" and that "the accident was due to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot". As if the strange lights werent creepy enough, there are reports of a ghostly figure dashing across the road, sometimes shrouded in flames. A memorial was suggested in Parliament by Dr Maloney (Labor) on 14 August 1940. Is it too soon to get excited about the 2023 Brumbies? The dedication occurred on the twentieth anniversary of the crash. In April 2022 the New Zealand artist Anthonie Tonnon released a single entitled Lockheed Bomber based on the disaster. 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). Of course, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever as no nurse died in the rescue attempt and as far as I can ascertain, no WWII nurse has ever died on Mount Ainslie. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. He was appointed Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940. 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. but according to some, there are other memories of the crash still around as well. There are HEAPS of live music events, large View. Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. They never made it. [5] A daily inspection was completed on the morning of the flight and signed off by the pilot Bob Hitchcock. The people, places, pets and passions that give our city life. View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! Stories of whispering voices and running footsteps, strange lights that fly towards the memorial, photos containing numerous orbs, ghostly sightings of men in old style overalls, screaming voices and even apparitions that appear to follow tour groups, yet quickly disappear when addressed or noticed. Should new apartment blocks have car spaces for each occupant? Duntroon House 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. Hang around long enough and you may just hear very faint whistling (and not from any live lips)! James Fairbairn had served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and still enjoyed flying. In 1953, the RAAF base at Canberra was renamed Fairbairn Airbase in Fairbairn's honour. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and . The memorial is a large granite monolith with a bronze inscription with a dedication to the lives . Had they been thrown there on impact, or had they tried to make it off the plane and been overcome by smoke and fire? Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. Pilot of doomed RAAF bomber can finally be revealed - The biggest cover-up in Australian political history is finally revealed. instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser, Eight destinations that films and TV shows changed forever, From borders to tunnels, here are 10 of the world's astonishingly long things. The bodies were removed from the scene and taken directly to the morgue for identification and autopsy. Incidentally, Dr. Nott did not bring a female nurse with him to assist in possible rescues, but his 10-year-old son. [23] The four military passengers were identified with the assistance of Group Captain Douglas Wilson, who did not know them personally. Your help would be greatly appreciated. News and analysis of APS, ACT public sector and diplomatic corp policy, politics and people. But more seriously, does anyone know why the road to the memorial is locked up? Air Disaster Memorial It's been 75 years since a Lockheed Hudson bomber crashed into a hill between Canberra airport and Queanbeyan, killing 10 people. The aircraft crashed into a hill with great force, killing all occupants instantly, then burning fiercely. As we have seen, ten people died in a horrific fiery crash on the very site. The request, in January 1952, was referred to Prime Minister Robert Menzies, who was Chair of the National Memorials Committee and very supportive of the project. But this alone should not make it more spooky or overwhelming than say the site of a train crash, or a car crash. Are they deluded or deranged? 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. Individually, and as a group, these people are significant figures in . [11], The Ministers and General White, with their staff, were being flown from Melbourne to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. Most are convinced its the ghost of 16-year-old Florrie Blundell who died in 1892 from terrible burns. Air Cdre Charles Clarke crash memorial.jpg 1,360 1,020; 366 KB B-HRX accident monument.JPG 2,048 1,536; 520 KB B24 Bomber crash memorial - geograph.org.uk - 159929.jpg 640 480; 95 KB 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. It concluded that there was "no option but to attribute the stall to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot". The aircraft, A16-97, had been in service with the RAAF since 20 June 1940, and was being operated by No.2 Squadron. Phew! Tim the Yowie Man has a key to the ADM and you go there on his Weird Canberra tour. 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. The original plaque has been replaced on several occasions because of theft or vandalism. Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, D. S. O., M. C. Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, R. A. And yet, if it is a spooky place during the day, and moreso at night, then why? The Canberra Air Disaster, 1940 The wreckage of the Lockheed Hudson air crash, Canberra, 13 August 1940. [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. Jump to. [3] The aircraft had 7 hours and 10 minutes of flying time,[4] of which 2 hours and 35 minutes had been completed by Lockheed test pilots. And yet, there are still cases that defy explanation. 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. Isnt the Air Disaster Memorial inaccessible at the moment because you have to go through the paintball field to get to it? The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is. Sections of this page. He gained the Repatriation portfolio in 1940. I quicken my pace to a sort of panicked shuffle you know that movement halfway between a walk and a run that you instinctively break into when youre worried someone is following you. 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. At night shadows loom and recede in torch light and one can be easily forgiven for imagining human shapes in the gloom. View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! She had been dead for a short while before her body was found, but none of the ground around the guard was disturbed. For many years now, the crash site has sparked tales of distressing apparitions. The latter I can totally dismiss as an urban legend most probably started by someone who, whilst drunk, forgot to put their car in gear and pull the hand brake on, only to watch it roll away backwards at a later time. 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