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 Wal. It changed him from sceptic to true believer in an instant. Extract taken from A Case for Ghosts by JG Montgomery (Ginninderra Press 2012). Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders. 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. The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is. On Monday, September 25, 1978, San Diego was overcome by catastrophe. [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. Now surrounded by the Fairbairn Pine Plantation, the area has become known for The Burning Airman urban legend. [7] Fairbairn invited three other senior officials to join him on the flight Geoffrey Street, Minister for the Army; Henry Gullett, Minister for Information, and General Brudenell White, Chief of the General Staff. Maybe thats why ghosts hate cars. The embarrassment alone, if not the alcohol, would be enough for anyone to come up with some sort of supernatural excuse for their stupidity. Its been 75 years since a Lockheed Hudson bomber crashed into a hill between Canberra airport and Queanbeyan, killing 10 people. The wreckage was first spotted many hours later by Henry and Palen Hudgin, brothers who flew short taxi flights for Grand Canyon Airlines. No orbs for me my cameras batteries have inexplicably drained (which apparently is not an uncommon occurrence here). Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Hotel brand's first Australian property restores historic Sydney building, Bangkok hotel chain's stunning French Riviera debut, Like hotel rooms in the sky: Qantas unveils new first-class cabins, Two of the world's most luxurious ships are heading to Australia, 'Overdue': Unhappy Qantas frequent flyers welcome lounge upgrades, Cheap flights as Bonza launches its first major city route, Passenger anger as airlines seat families, couples apart on long-haul flights, Australia's most stylish farm stay is now taking bookings, 78-year-old woman who allegedly bit crew among passengers arrested over holidays, The security issue catching out Australian travellers overseas, New cruise ship aims to raise the bar on at-sea dining, Australia's newest reimagined '80s motel is on the Great Ocean Road. White returned to the Army as Chief of the General Staff in 1940. The latest news as it happens from Canberra and the surrounding region. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's The Air Disaster Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be haunted. The Air Disaster Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be haunted.. If you go on the weird Canberra tour with Tim the Yowie man they actually have a key to the air disaster memorial area and drive the bus in there. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Air Disaster Memorial It sounds quite close. The Air Disaster Memorial is important for commemorating the location of the 1940 plane crash that killed ten people, including three Commonwealth Ministers and the Chief of the General staff. The cause of death listed on the death certificates is exactly the same for all of the men: Fractured Skulls. 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. Expanded menu. The entire time you are surrounded by pines; their branches rattling in the wind. News and analysis of APS, ACT public sector and diplomatic corp policy, politics and people. Love your home every day with quality products from Monaro Screens. [5] A daily inspection was completed on the morning of the flight and signed off by the pilot Bob Hitchcock. Why are holidays in Australia so expensive right now? Chief of the General Stafff. They flash really quick but they also could've also been raindrops as it was spitting a bit. Canberra's best regional produce is just a click away. The road deteriorates into a series of muddy puddles and within a few paces, the traffic noise of Fairbairn Avenue gives way to silence. Minister of State for Air - Minister of State for Civil Aviation, The Hon Sir Henry Somer Gullett, KCMG, When the fire department and police arrived on scene they thought that maybe there could be survivors so they sent for the local doctor, Dr. Lewis Nott. [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". In some circles, the night time trip to the memorial is considered a rite of passage. A Narrabundah reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and like me, left more than a little unnerved. He simply got up and ran out of the plane, on fire, and now a ghost. Music, festivals, charity events - everything thats happening in the Canberra region. [19] Goodwin was assisted by Thomas Mills, a representative of the Crown Solicitor's Office. View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! Stowarzyszenie Metalowych Serc w Przemylu. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies' ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. National Film and Sound Archives He became Chief of the General Staff in 1920 and, in 1923, was appointed the first chairman of the Public Service Board. [11], The Ministers and General White, with their staff, were being flown from Melbourne to Canberra for a Cabinet meeting. It was a hospital and a psych ward. victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. Press alt + / to open this menu. Pssst did you know there's more to Enlighten than its signature events? But could this possibly be more than just a legend? Is it too soon to get excited about the 2023 Brumbies? The coroners report was exactly the same for all men, only the names were changed. [34], Jack Butt, a local farmer and former soldier, was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the crash. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. Whats that got to do with ghosts?? The pines guard their secrets dearly. The Outcome MattersNext Level DentistryNext Level Outcomes, Trekked out there a few nights ago and were victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. Blundells Cottage Fairbairn's private secretary Dick Elford and White's staff officer Frank Thornthwaite were the two other passengers. "This was a dreadful calamity," he told the House of Representatives the next day. [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. Your help would be greatly appreciated. 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. 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. 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. [1] 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. James Fairbairn, Minister for Air and Civil Aviation. 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. After impact, both planes began to fall toward earth. Vandalism or public liability perhaps? Two friendly ghosts remain, and staff at the Mint believe they were once staff members themselves. Some commentators used this issue to demand, once again, that all Commonwealth Administration occur at one Seat of Government. A memorial was suggested in Parliament by Dr Maloney (Labor) on 14 August 1940. 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. [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 area became known as a popular make-out spot before the road leading to the memorial was closed. Had they been thrown there on impact, or had they tried to make it off the plane and been overcome by smoke and fire? "For my three colleagues were my close and loyal friends. Just down from Florries haunt is Duntroon House. The path goes up another small hill, a turn to the right, then onward. the-riotact.com | riotact.com.cn | regionriverina.com.au | aboutregional.com.au | b2bmagazine.com.au | thisiscanberra.com | mygungahlin.com.au. It's the 80th anniversary of Canberra's worst air disaster. It was a disaster from which Menzies United Australia Party government never managed to recover. Resolution of conflict withincommunities, workplace, families. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. [8] The chiefs of staff of the army, navy and air force were also due to be in attendance. 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. Considering my car is an auto as well. View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! Youre correct. [22] The six civilian passengers were identified with the assistance of Street's private secretary Percy Hayter. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. but according to some, there are other memories of the crash still around as well. With the onset of World War II, Street's portfolio was split, and he became Minister for the Army. I think the fact that it is locked up now is due to the fact that the ADF firing range is next door. 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. At the far end a grey metal plaque has been erected on an aerodynamic lectern, its surface weathered by hard Canberra winters. To this day, almost 50 years later, there have been no arrests in the murder of Keren Rowland, and her death remains unsolved. Rhetorical question. Her car was found the following day on the side of Parkes Way road with no gas. My heartbeat races. Once a morgue, the National Film and Sound Archives is heaving with paranormal activity. Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders. Is it a ghost? General Sir Cyril White, Chief of the General Staff. 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). Interest. The weather was sunny and clear, and people had remarked earlier that morning that it was a perfect day for flying. However it was not until Dame Annabelle Rankin wrote to the then Minister for Air, William McMahon, about the request by Sir Brundenell White`s relatives that a small cairn be erected at the point of the crash in memory of those who lost their lives, that the suggestion was given serious consideration. Speculation arose that it was during this time that Minister Fairbairn changed seats with the co-pilot, Richard Wisener. It concluded that there was "no option but to attribute the stall to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot". It would have been very easy to solve the mystery of whether or not Minister Fairbairn had been flying. [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. Local Business. I was afraid, even aborting the walk once - butI forced myself to be brave, returnedand persevered. 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 was sure Id charged the camera fully before leaving home. The bodies were removed from the scene and taken directly to the morgue for identification and autopsy. It is quiet and still, in fact, so much so that one imagines that they can hear sounds, even in the light of day. While preparing to land from what had been a normal flight, the plane suddenly nosedived into a field just a mile and a half from the Canberra Aerodrome. If you arent occasionally spooked, I reckon you have no imagination. Thought you all maybe interested in this little video I made of the Air Disaster memorial in Canberra Australia. A poltergeist that regularly wreaks havoc in the War Memorial. My reduced state of anxiety doesnt last long. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. The Air Disaster Memorial sits in the Fairbairn pine plantation on the eastern edge of Canberra. 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. [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". If you want more detail, youll just have to sign on to one of Tims ghost tours. Should new apartment blocks have car spaces for each occupant? My friend told me about 10 years ago, him and his mates went up there and saw a young girl near the gate. 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. Was completed on the morning of the plane, on fire, and now ghost! Fact that it is locked up now is due to be haunted House of Representatives the next.. Tims ghost tours crash still around as well surface weathered by hard Canberra winters, Richard Wisener little I! 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