On July 12, 1942, in the early hours of a crisp winter morning during World War II, a 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-64 took off from RAAF Laverton to conduct an anti-submarine patrol.

Following 21 ship attacks off the south eastern shores of Australia, with 11 of them sunk from May to July 1942, the patrol intended to gain a deeper geographic understanding of where adversary submarines were operating and, ideally, destroy them.

What should have been a routine mission turned into a far greater tragedy when the heavy mist and low clouds set in, resulting in A9-64 crashing into scrubland near the peak of Arthurs Seat on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.

The true loss was not the damaged aircraft, but the four men on board who subsequently lost their lives.

Their names were Robert Terence Wolfenden Elcoate, Dudley Merton Wehl, James Robert Axxon and Charles Martin Redgrave – all of whom proudly served RAAF in 100 Squadron until their final breaths.

At a memorial held in their honour marking the 84th anniversary of the accident, Commanding Officer 100 Squadron Wing Commander Richard Brougham paid his respect to their service and sacrifice. 

“I’d like to acknowledge the loss of four men who were prepared to take risks and actions required of them by their country during a time of conflict and, in their case, unfortunately making the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. 

“Like all of us, they had hopes and dreams of a long and fulfilling life, which was taken from them.”

'For us, they are fellow members of 100 Squadron, but for others, they were sons, brothers, a father and dear friends for whom the ripples of their loss spread wide and far.'

Accompanied by current serving members of the squadron, Wing Commander Brougham also spoke about the necessity of reflecting on military history and how it shapes his own service.

“In our role as the heritage flying squadron, when we are engaging with the public and ADF members, it’s important to be able to provide context and understanding of what happened all those years ago and how it still connects today,” he said.

“These are lessons we can learn so much from, and if we don’t understand where we have come from, we don’t know how we go forward.”

Wing Commander Brougham concluded the memorial service by highlighting the importance of humanising historic events.

“They are more than just four names on a memorial,” he said.

“For us, they are fellow members of 100 Squadron, but for others, they were sons, brothers, a father and dear friends for whom the ripples of their loss spread wide and far.

“While it is particularly significant for us – given the 100 Squadron connection – as always, it is important for us to commemorate and acknowledge those Air Force members who came before us, particularly those who did not make it home.”