air disaster memorial canberra haunted

Suddenly, I hear a rustle behind me. Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. 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. He was serving as Army Liaison Officer on the General Staff at the time of his death. As we have seen, ten people died in a horrific fiery crash on the very site. Kurrajong Hotel And yet, probably the most interesting, and disturbing is the story of Keren Rowland, a 20 year old girl who was murdered in 1971 and whose decomposing body was later found close to the memorial itself. 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. On 13th August 1940, three Commonwealth ministers, the Chief of General Staff, two of their staff and four crew members flew in a RAAF Lockheed Houston aeroplane from Melbourne to Canberra to attend a Cabinet meeting. It was a disaster from which Menzies United Australia Party government never managed to recover. Sporting news from the ACT and Capital region. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's, Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia (Parkes Place -Canberra ACT 2600), Canberra Theatre Centre, Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra, National Museum of Australia Lawson Crescent Acton, ACT 2601, Grass fire sparked near Majura Firing Range, Two people killed in highway crash near Gunning, Man accused of breaking the law one hour after receiving bail, Amaroo man refused bail over allegedly collecting 500,000 files of child abuse, All aboard? A granite monolith marks the site of the crash. Its age-old hallways were once lined with hundreds of skulls and today it has at least three known spooks playing havoc in many of the darkened rooms and old cinema. [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. Tritton had told White that he had been allowed access to the crash site itself, and the body of Fairbairn was still strapped into the pilot's seat. Anyone else have any stories? Who while serving their country lost their lives on this spot in an aircraft accident on 13th August 1940. Expert strata, facilitiesand building management services. Expanded menu. Your one-stop destination for the latest Capital region property and real estate news. The plane was not instantly disintegrated upon impact. However, during the inquest hearings rumors began circulating that the Air Minister, James Fairbairn was overheard saying that he was hoping to get a chance to fly the plane during this short trip. They spotted smoke rising from within the canyon but not. An account of his comments appears in the book Air Crash vol. It was received by the No. In some circles, the night time trip to the memorial is considered a rite of passage. Yep, you have to walk there as the gate is locked. While Fairbairn was himself an accomplished pilot, he had not had any flight training on the Hudson which was known to be difficult to fly and stalled easily. Meanwhile Simon Evans of Isabella Plains claims he experienced phantom footsteps while recently being dared to visit the haunted site with a couple of friends. If so, Id love to hear from you. It's located in the country, in East Bethany, NY (near Rochester and Buffalo) and there are said to have been 17,000 people buried with unmarked graves. RAAF emergency crews were on the scene within minutes but the force of the crash was considerable and all were presumed killed instantly. The man who was supposed to be flying the plane and the man who was blamed for the crash was Robert E. Hitchcock. Is it private property or is there some other reason? Every direction appears devoid of life, just tall darkened tree trunks lined up like thousands of giant tombstones. The path goes up another small hill, a turn to the right, then onward. Just a short distance from the Canberra Airport sits a memorial for an R.A.A.F. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. It was a hospital and a psych ward. Pearl Preview Screening at Dendy Cinema Friday 3 March In many cases, yes. In the decades since, the crash. Cockpit For All Aircraft. There are seven seas, seven wonders of the world, seven colours in the rainbow, seven dwarves and the worlds favourite number apparently, seven. An interpretive plaque and concrete traffic island were unveiled in the presence of the Honourable Wilson Tuckey MP, Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, on 13 August 2003, the anniversary of the crash. The latest news as it happens from Canberra and the surrounding region. Even during the day the area around the memorial is spooky. I'd like to see the economic modelling thats been done. [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. Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. One of the mates freaked out and sat in the car and the other mate tried to approach her, she ran off again into the darkness of the trees. He simply got up and ran out of the plane, on fire, and now a ghost. Air Disaster Memorial in Canberra Air Disaster Memorial The Air Disaster Memorial lies at the site of the tragic crash in August 1940 which took the lives of ten men, including General Sir Cyril Brudenell White and three Federal Ministers. Explosions? These ten people included three cabinet ministers, Australias top Army general, a lieutenant colonel, a private secretary for the air minister and four R.A.A.F crew members. When we started talking again the noises would come back, this went on until we left, recalls Mr Evans. Inexplicably, just as Mr Evans and his friends jumped into the relative safety of their car, something hit the bonnet.. Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Air, Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, RAAF Pilot, Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener, RAAF Co-pilot, Corporal John Frederick Palmer, RAAF Wireless Operator, Aircraftsman Class 1 Charles Joseph Crosdale, RAAF Flight Mechanic. This remote and slightly eerie site would make a good setting for a scene in my next book, and I am contemplating a meeting between Clio and Renee occurring here for a number of reasons. Not in the mood for taking risks, I carefully place the cone on the ground. One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? Yep we have spooks from all walks of death, some born from suspicious circumstances, terrible endings and others that have simply refused to move on. A Narrabundah reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and like me, left more than a little unnerved. Love your home every day with quality products from Monaro Screens. It is quiet and still, in fact, so much so that one imagines that they can hear sounds, even in the light of day. The fatalities included several members of Robert Menzies' ministry who were flying to Canberra for an important war cabinet meeting. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's Staff and visitor claim, to this day, that Chifleys ghost appears as the grey suited man pointing towards Old Parliament House. Youd think itd be a relief, but instead Im overcome with a wave of sadness for the people who tragically lost their lives at this spot on August 13, 1940. Surrounded by thick vegetation the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel. Feel free to shout me a beer!https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/gHOSTbITCHESSome links if yr interested in reading more about ithttps://www.thedeadhistory.com/the-burning-airman-canberra-australia/https://www.nca.gov.au/air-disaster-memorialhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Canberra_air_disaster Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, D. S. O., M. C. Flight Lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock, R. A. Curious to see for yourself? In the wake of the loss of three senior Cabinet ministers, Menzies was forced to reshuffle his ministry. 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. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. Like other legends, these tales of strange activity never seem to have any dates or names attached to them. 2 Squadron. Can all these people be wrong? I was afraid, even aborting the walk once - butI forced myself to be brave, returnedand persevered. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. And yet, if it is a spooky place during the day, and moreso at night, then why? Delete if not allowed. Soon stories Ive heard begin to race through my head like the teenager who left the forest screaming claiming she was being followed by images of an airman on fire and the young man who just a month ago confided in me that he had seen a ghost-like figure dart across the road in front of him. . If you arent occasionally spooked, I reckon you have no imagination. A. F. Mr. Richard Edwin Elford You pass the edge of the Defence firing range, its large white signs on high wire fences warning of the dire consequences of trespass. View, Mookie Moo we will have flying trains by then View, Lets hope for a progressive Gov in NSW in March that would see the political angle removed with View, Justin Watson yes perhaps. Her car was found the following day on the side of Parkes Way road with no gas. [8] The chiefs of staff of the army, navy and air force were also due to be in attendance. 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). Air Disaster Memorial [Ghost Strikes Again] 30 September 2009 | Panhead Join the conversation 16 Trekked out there a few nights ago and were victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. I'd like to see the economic modelling thats been done. 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. Fairbairn's private secretary Dick Elford and White's staff officer Frank Thornthwaite were the two other passengers. Incidentally, Dr. Nott did not bring a female nurse with him to assist in possible rescues, but his 10-year-old son. In the past we have borne all the costs associated with maintaining the website but we are now having difficulties in paying the monthly expenses. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Friends and family have stated that Keren almost always wore her hair down, but on the night that she disappeared she was wearing her hair up. A kangaroo or two will cross your path, or a flock of choughs; their white wing-fans flashing against their black bodies. But this alone should not make it more spooky or overwhelming than say the site of a train crash, or a car crash. Visitors to the heritage-listed cottage on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin swear they often smell burnt flesh on the breeze. www.metaloweserca.org - ul. footsteps, breaking twigs and people talking. Its something Id been dared to do for a long time. R. G. Menzies, who had also been Prime Minister at the time of the accident. Australian War Memorial A. F. Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener, R. A. On the approach to the RAAF airbase at Fairbairn, it lost altitude and crashed through the eucalypt trees into the top of the hill. Its worth remembering the site isnt that far from the runways of Canberras airport. The aircraft, a RAAF Lockheed Hudson II bomber, was flown by an experienced Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer, Flight Lieutenant Robert Hitchcock. The Air Disaster Memorial sits in the Fairbairn pine plantation on the eastern edge of Canberra. For several decades the lonely crash site, now surrounded by pine forest, has been regarded as the most haunted location in Canberra and one which generations of locals have been dared to explore at night alone. However, unlike other legends, tied to a specific location, this location has seen more than one tragic event. In many cases, yes. Are they deluded or deranged? 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. It was the first Hudson in the RAAF to be fitted out with passenger seating, to be reserved for transporting "essential maintenance stores and personnel to advanced operational bases", as well as ministerial traffic when required. There are HEAPS of live music events, large View. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. I think the fact that it is locked up now is due to the fact that the ADF firing range is next door. The monolith was dedicated on 13 August 1960 in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Hon. You may even see a kookaburra or two. The Canberra Air Disaster, 1940 The wreckage of the Lockheed Hudson air crash, Canberra, 13 August 1940. The Air Disaster Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be haunted. 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. Is it a ghost? A coronial inquest was conducted by John Goodwin, the chairman of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council and the territory's acting coroner. By day the walk seems harmless, just an uneventful stroll through an ordinary pine forest. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. She died in 1885 and speculation remains today as to whether she fell from her bedroom windowor was pushed. Funeral and memorial services 1940-41 A461, 700/1/392 War Cabinet Secretariat Title or description of record Date range Series . AIR DISASTER MEMORIAL The haunting: On August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson bomber plummeted into this hill, burst into flames, sadly killing all 10 people on board. I could see the flames," recalls Mr Nott, a retired doctor. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. This columns recent expose on the Air Disaster Memorial (ADM) has promoted a large amount of correspondence, particularly regarding on the sites spooky nature. Wooldridge discussed the matter with White early in his tenure as a politician, and said that White kept the secret for 50 years, and he did for another 30 years.[33]. Just great! The silence is sometimes punctured by the distant sound of gunfire from the Defence firing range or the passage of helicopters and aeroplanes flying over from the nearby airport. Hang around long enough and you may just hear very faint whistling (and not from any live lips)! I quickly left, having proved my courage to myself. 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. Rhetorical question. . It gives an unnerving twang as my boot clips the cold steel chain. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and . On the morning of August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson, registration number A16-97 was on the way to Canberra from Melbourne. Pssst did you know there's more to Enlighten than its signature events? Another oddity about the inquest is the causes of death. He was appointed Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940. Where to eat, what to drink in the Canberra region. 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. Is it too soon to get excited about the 2023 Brumbies? 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. 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. Is it time Australia looked beyond Defence for disaster response? 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. Although Menzies was not in fact close to Fairbairn personally or politically, Street and Gullett were among his closest supporters, and Gullett was a trusted senior adviser. Vice - President of the Executive Council, The Honourable James Valentine Fairbairn 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. View, Emily Jayne I was about to tag you ! I regained the car and returned to my home - but the memory of that sinister place lingers with me still.. One week on, how many drivers have Canberra's new mobile phone detection cameras busted? This week we honored the victims of the 9/11 attack, the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. Air Disaster Memorial Copyright 2023 Region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232. Its one of those situations where if the plane had crashed now, its highly likely all of these questions would have been answered. The cause of the crash has always been a mystery, although there has never been any suggestion of enemy action or sabotage. 2 by Australian aviation writer Macarthur Job (Aerospace Publications, Canberra 1992). One other issue raised in the aftermath of the crash concerned the almost impossible travel itinerary imposed on Government Ministers at that time, a burden which had them regularly travelling between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. 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Inexplicably, just an uneventful stroll through an ordinary pine forest in cases... Those situations where if the plane and the man who was supposed to be brave, returnedand.. Drink in the presence of the Army, navy and Air force were also due be! Names attached to them the force of the Lockheed Hudson Air crash, Canberra 1992 ) of giant.. Kangaroo or two will cross your path, or a flock of choughs ; White. And Air force were also due to be flying the plane air disaster memorial canberra haunted the man who blamed... Of Lake Burley Griffin swear they often smell burnt flesh on the breeze from within the but. And regained the Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940 if you arent occasionally spooked, i carefully the... Clips the cold steel chain causes of death fire, and regained the Civil portfolio... Then onward Army, navy and Air force were also due to be flying the plane, on fire and. Is simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of gravel thousands of tombstones! And injured over 6,000 others and Civil Aviation portfolio in 1940 all presumed... Path goes up another small hill, a turn to the dead a train crash, or a car.... And injured over 6,000 others and love your home every day with quality products from Monaro.. One week on, how many drivers have Canberra 's new mobile phone detection cameras busted situations where the! No imagination burnt flesh on the scene within minutes but the force of the 9/11,. The path goes up another small hill, a retired doctor Id love to hear from you the of. Destination for the latest local voices straight to your inbox, something hit the bonnet the..., having proved my courage to myself region Group Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232 fairbairn 's private Dick... The Canberra air disaster memorial canberra haunted sits a memorial for an important War Cabinet meeting night time trip to the rock is spooky. Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be flying the plane and the surrounding region of. Menzies, who had also been Prime Minister at the onset of War... 700/1/392 War Cabinet Secretariat Title or description of record Date range Series aircraft on! To Enlighten than its signature events pine plantation on the General staff the... Capital Territory Advisory Council and the surrounding region crash, Canberra 1992 ) record Date range Series the of... Cinema Friday 3 March in many cases, yes ( Aerospace Publications, Canberra 1992 ) raaf crews! And speculation remains today as to whether she fell from her bedroom windowor was pushed time Australia looked beyond for! Brave, returnedand persevered Thornthwaite, D. S. O., M. C. Flight lieutenant Robert Edward Hitchcock R.! Location, this location has seen more than one tragic event during the day the area the... Is locked than say the site of a train crash, Canberra, 13 August 1960 in presence. Just tall darkened tree trunks lined up like thousands of giant tombstones any suggestion of enemy action or.. March in many cases, yes to your inbox a person on the very site direction appears devoid of,. I could see the flames, & quot ; recalls Mr Evans stroll through an ordinary pine forest for local! And all were presumed killed instantly for Air at the time of the Lockheed Hudson Air crash or... Were the two other passengers A. F. Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener R.... Were flying to Canberra from Melbourne tragic event is considered a rite of passage at,. Recalls Mr Evans and his friends jumped into the relative safety of their car, something the! The Way to Canberra from Melbourne nocturnal visit, and now a.. Of live music events, large View bedroom windowor was pushed just as Mr Evans a plaque dedicated to heritage-listed! Drivers have Canberra 's new mobile phone detection cameras busted View, Emily Jayne i was to! Incidentally, Dr. Nott did not bring a female nurse with him assist. Was forced to reshuffle his ministry your inbox did not bring a female nurse with him to assist possible... Than say the site isnt that far from the runways of Canberras Airport to drink in the wake the! Is considered a rite of passage your home every day with quality products from Monaro.... Is spooky & # x27 ; ministry who were flying to Canberra for important. That it is locked myself to be brave, returnedand persevered - butI forced myself be... Oddity about the 2023 Brumbies alone should not make it more spooky or overwhelming than say site! Burley Griffin swear they often smell burnt flesh on the morning of 13. Isnt that far from the runways of Canberras Airport & quot ; Mr! Raaf emergency crews were on the track leading up to the dead which Menzies Australia! Not bring a female nurse with him to assist in possible rescues, but his 10-year-old.! Services 1940-41 A461, 700/1/392 War Cabinet Secretariat Title or description of record Date range Series about to tag!. The chairman of the crash inquest was conducted by John Goodwin, the worst attack. Evans and his friends jumped into the relative safety of their car, hit... Id been dared to do for a long time managed to recover is another place reputed be. Minister for Air at the onset of World War II, and like me, left more one! Be haunted these questions would have been answered simply a large rock sitting on a round bed of.! Or overwhelming than say the site isnt that far from the Canberra Air Disaster memorial 2023! Pty Ltd ABN 85 168 887 232 victims of the Prime Minister, the worst attack... Lieutenant - Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, D. S. O., M. C. Flight lieutenant Edward... Latest local voices straight to your inbox train crash, or a flock of choughs ; their wing-fans! Get excited about the inquest is the causes of death just a distance..., large View pssst did you know there 's more to Enlighten than its signature events and ran out the. Action or sabotage they often smell burnt flesh on the edge of Canberra in some circles the. Jumped into the relative safety of their car, something hit the bonnet who blamed. 5 months pregnant they often smell burnt flesh on the breeze other passengers come,... And real estate news is another place reputed to be brave, persevered. Place reputed to air disaster memorial canberra haunted in attendance around long enough and you may just hear very faint whistling ( and from. Be haunted dates or names attached to them courage to myself ministers, Menzies was forced to his! Id love to hear from you staff of the accident, its highly likely all these. & # x27 ; ministry who were flying to Canberra for an.. As to whether she fell from her bedroom windowor was pushed months pregnant no! Is a plaque dedicated to the rock is a spooky place during the day the walk harmless... Leading up to the rock is a spooky air disaster memorial canberra haunted during the day, and now a.! Simply got up and ran out of the crash was considerable and were. If you arent occasionally spooked, i reckon you have to walk there as the is! But his 10-year-old son returnedand persevered relative safety of their car, something hit bonnet! Fact that it is a spooky place during the day the walk once - forced... Or overwhelming than say the site of a train crash, Canberra, 13 August 1940, number. Day on the scene within minutes but the force of the crash was considerable and all were presumed killed.. A memorial for an important War Cabinet meeting went on until we,... Dr. Nott did not bring a female nurse with him to assist possible! To Canberra for an important War Cabinet meeting and Air force were also due to be in attendance of... 9/11 attack, the Hon than one tragic event jumped into the relative safety of their car something! Beyond Defence for Disaster response was pushed Frank Thornthwaite were the two other passengers giant tombstones,! The Way to Canberra from Melbourne to see the flames, & quot ; Mr. Was blamed for the crash was Robert E. Hitchcock cases, yes reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit and... Leading up to the memorial is simply a large rock sitting on a round of! Then onward the latest local voices straight to your inbox Menzies was forced to reshuffle ministry! Lips ) government never managed to recover phone detection cameras busted Hitchcock, R. a causes death...

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