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Where are they now?
Volume 49, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
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RIP: Clockwise FSGT Neville Barron, Eric Cottrell, FLGOFF Eric Stephenson and PLTOFF (then SGT) John Harvey before the fatal flight.
Photo courtesy of Sandra Knight |
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FATAL DIVE: Right, a RAAF Beaufort Mk VIII of the type flown by A9-670’s crew on their fatal flight.
Artwork courtesy of Gordon Birkett |
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Beaudesert Shire Council is seeking relatives of four RAAF personnel who were killed in a plane crash on April 10, 1945, at Greenbank, south of Brisbane.
On 10 April, 1945, the pilot, FLGOFF Eric David Stephenson, wireless operator FSGT Neville James Barron, observer PLTOFF John George Harvey and a passenger, LAC Raymond Patrick McGuigan, were killed when their Beaufort Bomber A9-670 crashed at the Gailes Gunnery Range. A regular crew member, Eric Cottrell, should have been aboard, but was unwell and gave up his seat so that LAC McGuigan could have a flight in the bomber.
The 32SQN aircraft, which was based at Lowood airfield, was conducting high and low-level bombing practice and gunnery practice in company with two other Beauforts.
The most likely cause of the accident was that at about 5.20pm, the aircraft inadvertently struck a tree about 25m off the ground. It crashed about 20m away and immediately caught fire. The four men probably died on impact and their bodies were recovered next day.
Two civilians who were working on a near-by property had heard the sound of aircraft engines and shortly afterwards they saw a column of smoke. They reported the incident to the police in case it was an aircraft crash.
Later that night, RAAF personnel and police proceeded to the site where they found the burning wreckage.
The council plans to erect a plaque at the crash site shortly to commemorate the four men and is keen to involve any relatives in the service.
At the time of the crash, the parents of FLGOFF Stephenson lived in Bardon (Brisbane) while those of FSGT Barron lived in Maclagan, Queensland. PLTOFF Harvey, originally from Orange, had a wife named Gwendlynne and baby daughter living at Picnic Point in Sydney.
LAC McGuigan’s niece, Mrs Sandra Knight (nee Kerr), said that she has been searching for relatives or friends of the three other men involved in the crash for more than a year.
“It’s important to remember the sacrifices made by our RAAF personnel. It’s also important to remember the families and friends who supported them in life and continue to deal with their death so many years later. It would be great if we can locate some family or friends,” Mrs Knight said.
Councillor Hajnal Ban, who initiated the plaque concept, said it was important family members were involved in the service.
“These four men were killed at the prime of their lives. It’s important for their relatives to be involved in remembering these men, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” Cr Ban said.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sandra Knight on (07) 3376 6469 or Beaudesert Council on (07) 5540 5339. |
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