Chaplain GPCAPT Noel Williams dedicated and blessed the plaque laid in memory of FLGOFF Tom Henniker.

Air Force News recently ventured out over the Indian Ocean to an atoll of islands, designated the Cocos Keeling. The significance of the flight by No. 10 Squadron and the Chief of Air Force representative, Group Captain Simon Harvey, was marked with the dedication of a commemorative plaque to the memory of late Flying Officer Tom Henniker on 26 April, the 10th anniversary of the pilot's untimely death.

FLGOFF Henniker was killed moments after a return flight from West Island to RAAF Edinburgh, ditched into the lagoon. Nineteen other crew members from 10 Squadron survived the crash and a few where present to remember an aircrew member who will not be forgotten.

Many long-term Cocos Islanders also recall the crash vividly, as they attended the memorial to pay their respects, including local Dive Master and Instructor, Mr Dieter Gerhard. He commented on local reaction to the crash, that at the time everyone was shell-shocked they had experienced an emergency of that magnitude. 'The locals and visiting ground and aircrews develop friendships. When they discovered that one was in real trouble, the community felt the impact.'

'The Mayday call went out, with initial confusion as to where the PC-3 had crashed. The community rallied around to help, and scouted further up the island to the boat launch, where we could smell fuel from the wreckage. The initial relief at seeing the surviving members standing on the aircraft, half submerged on the reef, was dashed at the realisation one was in serious trouble.'

The Officer Commanding 92 Wing, Group Captain Steven Huckstepp, who spoke at the service, recognised the value of Tom's life and death in service to his country, with respect to the tasking Defence personnel accept in a job that presents certain risk on a daily basis. 'The crash and Tom's death was a shock to the Maritime Patrol fraternity and greatly effected all personnel at 92 Wing. Tom was an outstanding officer and pilot, and the loss of his life was felt largely across the entire Air Force,' said GPCAPT Huckstepp.

GPCAPT Simon Harvey lays a wreath and salutes fallen Service personnel.

GPCAPT Harvey, on behalf of CAF, unveiled the plaque, laid next to the stone tributed to Tom nine years previously, which was then blessed by Chaplain Group Captain Noel Williams.

A request by the Cocos Island Historical Society for a formal plaque dedication in memory of FLGOFF Henniker ensures his service and debt will stand remembered. With the support and friendship, the small and warm community of the Cocos Islands share with 92 Wing, we are reminded of all, whose love for Australia and its people was so profound as to give their lives. And to that, we are indebted.

Story and Photographs by Amber McKinnon