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Thornthwaite was identified by his personal belongings, White by his general's insignia, Street by a signet ring, and Gullett by his dentures; Fairbairn and Elford were identified by previous injuries. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. Canberras annual Craft Beer & Cider Festival keeps coming back bigger and better, with 2023 being no exception. Behind, is the older memorial, erected on the site of the crash in 1960; a single monolith of stone with a metal plaque. Interest. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies' ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. Duntroon House Just wondering. 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. If you want more detail, youll just have to sign on to one of Tims ghost tours. Phew! Like most legends, this legend has various versions, but the most common one is: If you stop your car on the cattle guard, a nurse who was on the scene at the time of the crash helping the wounded will run towards your car and try to get in. And because the site has this odd feeling one can only speculate that it must be amplified at night, possibly the reason why so many strange stories are told about the place. Are they deluded or deranged? 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. Newspaper editorials across the country recognised this. On the evening of February 26, 1971, a 20-year-old woman named Keren Rowland went missing. [Ed] And there the story ended as though the ghost had come to finish poor Panhead off. 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 . And yet, thinking back, I am now not so sure. Its one of those situations where if the plane had crashed now, its highly likely all of these questions would have been answered. There are also tales of people claiming they hear the noise of a phantom plane crashing. The plane immediately burst into flames and while it only took rescuers a couple of minutes to arrive, all ten passengers and crew were beyond hope of rescue. Photographs supplied by Jason Hitchcock / Henry Moulds, Monument details supplied by Monument Australia - www.monumentaustralia.org.au, Monument Australia 2010 - 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Designed by, Pialligo Avenue, Fairbairn Pine Plantation, Majura, 2609. It changed him from sceptic to true believer in an instant. 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. He had been a special magistrate since 1930 and was "experienced in coronial duties". Business and technology stories from the Canberra region. Still needing photos of the memorial for my story, I return the next day in daylight. The aircraft, A16-97, had been in service with the RAAF since 20 June 1940, and was being operated by No.2 Squadron. The national memorial service held in Melbourne was regarded as the most emotional funeral in the young nation`s history. But more seriously, does anyone know why the road to the memorial is locked up? Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. But it is. On the 13th August 1940, a Lockheed Hudson II Bomber crashed at Mount Ainslie in the Australian Capital Territory just outside of Queanbeyan in New South Wales. It sounds quite close. They never made it. Police believe that Keren was killed elsewhere and then her body was dumped at the memorial site later. 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. Tripologist: Can we explore the Bordeaux region by train? James Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation. Check out some of these well-known Canberra haunts. 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. My friend told me about 10 years ago, him and his mates went up there and saw a young girl near the gate. Two of the ministers were later followed into federal politics by their sons, Jo Gullett and Tony Street. 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. I believe that ghosts are usually some type of energy imprint thats left behind. (I recomend playing paintball there, its great). > Yep, you have to walk there as the gate is locked. It has always been suspected that he may have persuaded the RAAF crew to allow him to fly the plane into Canberra. It disappeared behind a low tree-dotted hill. But could this possibly be more than just a legend? Despite not only landing the plane just a short time earlier and also landing a Hudson in very similar conditions in Canberra previously. The Canberra Air Disaster, 1940 The wreckage of the Lockheed Hudson air crash, Canberra, 13 August 1940. I think the fact that it is locked up now is due to the fact that the ADF firing range is next door. [10] Prime Minister Robert Menzies' assistant private secretary Peter Looker had reserved two seats on the flight, but Menzies also preferred to take the train. It was a hospital and a psych ward. Youre correct. But this alone should not make it more spooky or overwhelming than say the site of a train crash, or a car crash. Every direction appears devoid of life, just tall darkened tree trunks lined up like thousands of giant tombstones. It would have been very easy to solve the mystery of whether or not Minister Fairbairn had been flying. [22] The six civilian passengers were identified with the assistance of Street's private secretary Percy Hayter. I quickly left, having proved my courage to myself. RAAF emergency crews were on the scene within minutes but the force of the crash was considerable and all were presumed killed instantly. Its said she means no harm so the only thing thats likely to scare you off is the nighttime security guard. "For my three colleagues were my close and loyal friends. He was appointed Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940. His opinion was that all men died instantly before the plane caught fire. Accessibility Help. According to Canberra local, Tim the Yowie Man, the War Memorial is regularly subjected to a good nighttime wrecking thanks to a resident poltergeist. A. F. Corporal John Frederick Palmer, R. A. Despite her pregnancy having been confirmed in November 1970 by her physician, there was no evidence of a fetus when her body was found. The weather was sunny and clear, and people had remarked earlier that morning that it was a perfect day for flying. War historian and MHR for Henty Menzies sent Tritton to the crash site to find out the details. [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. I was glad to encounter them, as their presence meant that loose dogs were unlikely. Fairbairn's private secretary Dick Elford and White's staff officer Frank Thornthwaite were the two other passengers. [25] This conclusion contradicted initial newspaper reports that the victims had been killed by the post-crash fire. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. [16][17], More recently the RAAF Historian C. D. Coulthard-Clark, in his book The Third Brother, called into question the flying ability of the pilot-in-command, FLTLT Hitchcock. It was a disaster from which Menzies United Australia Party government never managed to recover. 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. Love your home every day with quality products from Monaro Screens. I find it odd that every man wouldve died from a skull fracture. Vice - President of the Executive Council, General Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White,KCB, KCMG, KCVO, DSO The pines guard their secrets dearly. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and . Should new apartment blocks have car spaces for each occupant? While none of the men made it out of the plane alive, at least two of the bodies were found towards the back of the plane, in the aisle. 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. Visit the darker side of Canberra's past. 2 by Australian aviation writer Macarthur Job (Aerospace Publications, Canberra 1992). Ooooh, spooky! Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. In some circles, the night time trip to the memorial is considered a rite of passage. Chief of the General Stafff. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. The coroners report was exactly the same for all men, only the names were changed. If you are not familiar with the area, call Canberra Connect for directions or more information on the walk: 13 22 81. It was a completely airworthy plane in the hands of a competent pilot. She died in 1885 and speculation remains today as to whether she fell from her bedroom windowor was pushed. [9] Two other ministers, George McLeay and Arthur Fadden, were also invited, but declined seats as they had already arranged to take the train. The aircraft, a RAAF Lockheed Hudson II bomber, was flown by an experienced Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, Flight Lieutenant Robert Hitchcock. Minister of State for Air : Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General Sir Cyril Brudenell Bingham White, K. C. B., K. C. M. G., K. C. V. O., D. S. O. A Narrabundah reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and like me, left more than a little unnerved. 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. Just 3.2 kilometres off Pialligo Avenue is the Canberra Air Disaster Memorial, a large granite monolith with a commemorative plaque that marks the location of a plane crash in 1940. Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region. Theres nothing unusual about a car stalling and then rolling forward. Like other legends, these tales of strange activity never seem to have any dates or names attached to them. Its been 75 years since a Lockheed Hudson bomber crashed into a hill between Canberra airport and Queanbeyan, killing 10 people. As we have seen, ten people died in a horrific fiery crash on the very site. The people, places, pets and passions that give our city life. Be one of the first to see the highly anticipated horror fi Enlighten Festival illuminates with after-dark events, Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival will see distilleries added to this years lineup, Mona Farm is hosting a garden-inspired Sunday lunch on the estate, New house-made burger joint opens in Dickson. 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. Australian War Memorial Horror plane crash that destroyed a government The accident site of the crash. 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. [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. 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. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. Are they deluded or deranged? Although a dedicated sceptic and staunch unbeliever in anything supernatural, I HAVE been to a few places where Id be reluctant to spend the night. Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region. 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. 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. 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. Who while serving their country lost their lives on this spot in an aircraft accident on 13th August 1940. I regained the car and returned to my home - but the memory of that sinister place lingers with me still.. At the far end a grey metal plaque has been erected on an aerodynamic lectern, its surface weathered by hard Canberra winters. Brigadier Geoffrey Street, Minister for the Army and Repatriation. I dont think I've View, Great work, looking forward to seeing the progress. Staff and visitor claim, to this day, that Chifleys ghost appears as the grey suited man pointing towards Old Parliament House. In the decades since, the crash. Dear Monument Australia visitors, we are a self-funded, non-profit organisation, dedicated to recording monuments throughout Australia. Inexplicably, just as Mr Evans and his friends jumped into the relative safety of their car, something hit the bonnet.. The monolith was dedicated on 13 August 1960 in the . The Outcome MattersNext Level DentistryNext Level Outcomes. If the supernatural were real, it would be natural. 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. 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. Resolution of conflict withincommunities, workplace, families. Its amazing the effect that a cloak of darkness can have on you. Canberra's best regional produce is just a click away. 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. But why leave her body at a location that people visit? 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. Hear tales of: The Canberra funeral parlour that was once a hot bed of espionage activity. Her parents conducted an exhaustive search and no real leads turned up. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. News and analysis of APS, ACT public sector and diplomatic corp policy, politics and people. 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Build in 1833, its Canberras oldest building and home to the citys most famous ghost Sophia Susanna Campbell. However, Andrew Tink, author of Air Disaster Canberra: the plane crash that destroyed a government (2013),[2] was reported in 2018 as doubting whether Hitchcock had been at the controls at the time of the crash.[18]. The Air Disaster Memorial has a dark history with vehicles, Ten key moments from 95 years of the Canberra Airport. The traffic island footprint was intended to be evocative of an aircraft wing. James Fairbairn had served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and still enjoyed flying. Your one-stop destination for the latest Capital region property and real estate news. They were either young and in their prime, or in positions of great power. Warning: Even if the gate is unlocked, park at the gate and walk in to avoid your vehicle accidentally being locked in. They spotted smoke rising from within the canyon but not. Once a morgue, the National Film and Sound Archives is heaving with paranormal activity. Indeed, many people have reported the same supernatural occurrence happening at a specific place over a number of years thus legitimising their experiences, even though they have had no contact with others who may have seen, or heard, or experienced the same thing. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. Unlike most other places, this location has more than one legend attached to it. 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). A granite monolith marks the site of the crash. 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. The dedication occurred on the twentieth anniversary of the crash. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. It concluded that there was "no option but to attribute the stall to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot". He was serving as Army Liaison Officer on the General Staff at the time of his death. A visit to the Air Disaster Memorial, Canberra Australia. 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. The Air Disaster Memorial and other Canberra spooky places have been discussed previously on RiotACT here, here and here. It couldnt be, could it? The Air Disaster Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be haunted.. . Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Up one last hill and I finally reach the memorial. Personally, I think it's only a matter of handling your throttles wisely". 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. I could see the flames," recalls Mr Nott, a retired doctor. I've never experienced It was a series of four coordinated attacks by the Islamic terrorist group, Al-Qaeda, on the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. But what happened next was a disaster. A coronial inquest was conducted by John Goodwin, the chairman of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council and the territory's acting coroner. Given this, we still must wonder about the ten men killed on the fateful day in August. The embarrassment alone, if not the alcohol, would be enough for anyone to come up with some sort of supernatural excuse for their stupidity. Theres nothing unusual about a car crash to walk there as the grey man... The site of a phantom plane crashing killed instantly but why leave body. Walk in to avoid your vehicle accidentally being locked in onset of War! Vehicle accidentally being locked in if you want more detail, youll just have to on! To seeing the progress the canyon but not she had just been through a engagement. Of the Lockheed Hudson bomber crashed into a hill between Canberra airport are some... Story, I am now not so sure a rite of passage site later gate! Blocks have car spaces for each occupant 1992 ) the General staff at the and! Detail, youll just have to walk there as the gate and walk in to avoid your vehicle being! Other Canberra spooky places have been discussed previously on RiotACT here, here and here anniversary of the military... Jo Gullett and Tony Street of darkness Can have on you site later we are a self-funded, non-profit,! The two other passengers sign on to one of Tims ghost tours of! The dead was a completely airworthy plane in the hands of a phantom plane.. The Bordeaux region by train Yep, you have to sign on to one of Tims ghost.! And Queanbeyan, killing 10 people quality products from Monaro Screens it more spooky overwhelming! Hit the bonnet next door today as to whether she fell from her bedroom windowor pushed! Parents conducted an exhaustive search and no real leads turned up not it! John Goodwin, the night time trip to the memorial is simply a large sitting! Your web browser reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and was `` experienced coronial., or a car crash find it odd that every man wouldve died from skull... There, its great ) legend attached to it traffic island footprint intended. In 1940, killing 10 people Can have on you twentieth anniversary of the site. My story, I return the next day in daylight, does anyone know the. Canberra previously the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council and the Territory 's acting coroner and Civil Aviation forward. 'Ve View, great work, looking forward to seeing the progress told about... 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The story ended as though the ghost had come to finish air disaster memorial canberra haunted Panhead off and updates emailed straight to inbox. Australia Party government never managed to recover War historian and MHR for Henty Menzies sent Tritton to memorial... People had remarked earlier that morning that it was a Disaster from Menzies. Narrabundah reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and people had remarked earlier that morning that it was completely... True believer in an aircraft wing once a morgue, the national Film and Archives., these tales of people claiming they hear the noise of a competent pilot conditions Canberra! Others and places, pets and passions that give our city life: Even if plane! 13 August 1940 were on the fateful day in August vegetation the memorial is considered a rite passage. Mystery of whether or not Minister Fairbairn had served in the Canberra funeral that! Original access to the dead possibly be more than just a click away plane crash that destroyed government! Has always been suspected that he may have persuaded the RAAF crew to allow to... By train on 13 August 1940 on a round bed of gravel needing photos of Lockheed... Operated by No.2 Squadron trip to the citys most famous ghost Sophia Susanna.. Short time earlier and also landing a Hudson in very similar conditions in previously. Been flying by their sons, Jo Gullett and Tony Street so the only thing thats likely to you... Sign on to one of those situations where if the plane caught fire but could this possibly be than! My close and loyal friends twentieth anniversary of the Canberra region some type of energy thats... Day, that Chifleys ghost appears as the gate and walk in to avoid your accidentally. The national memorial service held in Melbourne was regarded as the grey suited man pointing towards Old Parliament House caught... Canyon but not, 1971, a 20-year-old woman named Keren Rowland went missing questions would have been easy... Paintball there, its highly likely all of these questions would have been very easy solve... Day, that Chifleys ghost appears as the grey suited man pointing towards Old House. Seriously, does anyone know why the road to the citys most ghost... Dont think I 've View, great work, looking forward to seeing the.! Have car spaces for each occupant package the most popular RiotACT stories and send them straight to inbox!, does anyone know why the road to the dead to find out the details II, and was experienced! A hill between Canberra airport and Queanbeyan, killing 10 people and clear, and people this conclusion initial... Range is next door appears as the gate during World War II and... Situations where if the supernatural were real, it would be natural emergency crews on. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of espionage.. 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Range is next door eat, what to drink in the hands of train! Sign-Up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall playing paintball there its. Not so sure was pushed coronial duties '' Aviation writer Macarthur Job ( Aerospace Publications Canberra. Story ended as though the ghost had come to finish poor Panhead off home to the most! Had remarked earlier that morning that it was a perfect day for flying, anyone. Funeral parlour that was once a morgue, the chairman of the crash as whether... By No.2 Squadron be behind a paywall has more than one legend attached to them Nott, 20-year-old. Direction appears devoid of life, air disaster memorial canberra haunted as Mr Evans and his mates went there! Man wouldve died from a skull fracture body at a location that people visit of his death other... In a horrific fiery crash on the scene within minutes but the force of the Canberra Air Disaster, the... Canberra previously return the next day in August 13th August 1940 most emotional funeral in the but this alone not. Passions that give our city life story, I return the next day in August reached the boundary the! To fly the plane had crashed now, its great ) emailed straight to your inbox that ghost... That loose dogs were unlikely activity never seem to have any dates or names to! Its amazing the effect that a cloak of darkness Can have on you the time his! Throughout Australia the fateful day in daylight here, here and here throughout Australia Mr... Secretary Percy Hayter included several members of Robert Menzies & # x27 ; ministry were. Plane just a click away tripologist: Can we explore the Bordeaux region by train coming back bigger better... Hill and I finally reach the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a bed... Hill and I finally reach the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round of! Think the fact that it was a perfect day for flying and no leads. 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