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? Its said she means no harm so the only thing thats likely to scare you off is the nighttime security guard. Blundells Cottage Although a dedicated sceptic and staunch unbeliever in anything supernatural, I HAVE been to a few places where Id be reluctant to spend the night. A True Ghost Storyby Bobette Bryan, 2016. The cause of death listed on the death certificates is exactly the same for all of the men: Fractured Skulls. Interestingly enough, people have reported seeing a young woman standing near the edge of the clearing at the Canberra Disaster Memorial. Some of our group also swear they saw a person on the track leading up to the memorial. The Court of Inquiry into the accident found that it was most likely from the aircraft stalling on its landing approach, resulting in loss of control at a height too low to recover. He had been a special magistrate since 1930 and was "experienced in coronial duties". The Air Disaster Memorial sits in the Fairbairn pine plantation on the eastern edge of Canberra. But what happened next was a disaster. James Fairbairn had served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and still enjoyed flying. Despite crime scene photography being used in Australia since the 1920s, no photographs were taken of the location of the bodies before they were removed from the wreckage. Brigadier Geoffrey Street, Minister for the Army and Repatriation. The Air Disaster Memorial is dedicated to the memory of those who died when an RAAF Lockheed Hudson aircraft crashed on this site on 13th August 1940. 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. 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. If the supernatural were real, it would be natural. I quicken my pace to a sort of panicked shuffle you know that movement halfway between a walk and a run that you instinctively break into when youre worried someone is following you. Duntroon House I find it odd that every man wouldve died from a skull fracture. A small white plaque not much bigger than a credit card attached to a dark green post guides you to the trail that you will follow to the memorial nestled far away in the trees. Up one last hill and I finally reach the memorial. I quickly left, having proved my courage to myself. 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. So how then exactly did the original poster have the car stalling and rolling forward experience? Collaboratively and competitively delivered across the nation. On the evening of February 26, 1971, a 20-year-old woman named Keren Rowland went missing. [12], The Perth Daily News reported: "The plane was seen by watchers at the Canberra Aerodrome and the Air Force station to circle the drome, and then rise and head south. If you want more detail, youll just have to sign on to one of Tims ghost tours. The cairn was completed in 1958 and officially dedicated in 1960. Hear tales of: The Canberra funeral parlour that was once a hot bed of espionage activity. 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. There were also four Royal Australian Air Force crew on board the Hudson Bomber. All ten people on board were killed: six passengers, including three members of the Australian Cabinet and the Chief of the General Staff; and four crew. It disappeared behind a low tree-dotted hill. Individually, and as a group, these people are significant figures in . I continue up the track and into a breeze which begins to wail a mournful tune through the thousands of pine needles and around the corner, my torch illuminates an ominous sign Do not touch anything. Collaboratively and competitively delivered across the nation. The Air Disaster Memorial on Mount Ainslie is another place reputed to be haunted. As the myth goes, she has smashed windscreens to get into the car, simply to help those in there, believing them to be part of the Hudson crash. A kangaroo or two will cross your path, or a flock of choughs; their white wing-fans flashing against their black bodies. Sydney Airport to auction off lost laptops, phones, cameras and more. A lot of peoples cars either stall or refuse to start around the area. Almost as ridiculous as the uphill rolling cars is the myth that, if your car stops on the cattle grid near the memorial, a ghostly nurse who was present after the 1942 aircraft crash, and who tried to help, will coming running from the forest and try to get into the car, as if to help you. It was a hospital and a psych ward. Ive never experienced. Accessibility Help. This 3km loop through the Fairbairn Pine plantation outside of Canberra is a nice trip through dense pine forest with a unique stop along the way at the Air Disaster Memorial. But could this possibly be more than just a legend? The man who was supposed to be flying the plane and the man who was blamed for the crash was Robert E. Hitchcock. I was afraid, even aborting the walk once - butI forced myself to be brave, returnedand persevered. According to Tinny from Destiny Tours her ghost has been seen standing on the edge of a clearing, a brown sepia image that people have described accurately as her, even down to such details as having her hair pulled back, something she rarely did, but had done so on the day of her death. Most are convinced its the ghost of 16-year-old Florrie Blundell who died in 1892 from terrible burns. Thought you all maybe interested in this little video I made of the Air Disaster memorial in Canberra Australia. National Film and Sound Archives Curious to see for yourself? victims of the car stalling and rolling forward experience. 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. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Even during the day the area around the memorial is spooky. 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. And yet, there are still cases that defy explanation. Vice - President of the Executive Council, The Honourable James Valentine Fairbairn
Who she is, or was no-one seems to know although she is in no way attached to disaster of the crashed Hudson bomber. They spotted smoke rising from within the canyon but not. Jump to. On the morning of August 13, 1940, a Lockheed Hudson, registration number A16-97 was on the way to Canberra from Melbourne. With nothing more to gain, I jog back to Fairbairn Avenue, careful to dodge every pine cone along the way. It was received by the No. I was glad to encounter them, as their presence meant that loose dogs were unlikely. 2012, an article was posted in the Traveller website by "Tim the Yowie man", that included the site of the air crash on a list of the most haunted places in Australia . Did one of the bodies found in the cockpit have a disfigured right arm? Even during the day the area around the memorial is spooky. As we have seen, many strange stories are attributed to the Memorial and it is almost a right of passage for young men and women to go there at night although these days the road is locked off and access is difficult. The Air Disaster Memorial Walk is a 2.8km return walk on forest roads from the entrance gate to Fairbairn Pines on Fairbairn Avenue. [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. It's the 80th anniversary of Canberra's worst air disaster. Most of these senior Commonwealth figures held posts related to Australia's defence. On top of that, there are regular sightings of a young girl flitting through the gardens or standing on the veranda of the rubble stone cottage. In the wake of the loss of three senior Cabinet ministers, Menzies was forced to reshuffle his ministry. Inexplicably, just as Mr Evans and his friends jumped into the relative safety of their car, something hit the bonnet.. But why leave her body at a location that people visit? Fairbairn's private secretary Dick Elford and White's staff officer Frank Thornthwaite were the two other passengers. [Ed] And there the story ended as though the ghost had come to finish poor Panhead off. Affixed to the rock is a plaque dedicated to the dead. Minister of State for the Army : Minister of State for Repatriation, The Honourable Sir Henry Somer Gullett, K. C. M. G.
A residual piece of energy that manifests itself as a ghostly nurse? Kerens father told police that she had just been through a broken engagement and was approximately 5 months pregnant. [10] Prime Minister Robert Menzies' assistant private secretary Peter Looker had reserved two seats on the flight, but Menzies also preferred to take the train. Another story regarding the Air Disaster Memorial is even less believable in that a young girl was once found dead under a 500 kilogram cattle grid although the ground around the grid had not been disturbed. Witnesses reported seeing a dark car near Kerens car on the night in question and said a woman fitting Kerens description was walking towards the car. Subscribe to receive the latest local voices straight to your inbox. My melancholic contemplation is broken by the noise of an aeroplane. 1940 A461, 700/1/391 Air accident involving deaths of Commonwealth Ministers and others. 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. On Monday, September 25, 1978, San Diego was overcome by catastrophe. The crash killed ten people, four of whom were senior members of the Australian Government. Just down from Florries haunt is Duntroon House. History has shown us that ghosts and the supernatural seem to be commonplace and that a large percentage of people in the western world, indeed from all races and religions, not only believe in ghosts but have also experienced something that they believe is of a supernatural origin. 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. It has always been suspected that he may have persuaded the RAAF crew to allow him to fly the plane into Canberra. Your ultimate guide to dining, nightlife, entertainment, wineries, style and events in the capital. Courtesy National Archives of Australia As we commemorate Armistice Day we remember the WWII service and sacrifice of Strathfield Pilot Officer Richard Frederick Wiesener who died in 1940, aged 29. Thought-provoking pieces written by local Canberrans and community leaders. I was looking for the original topics and then exited the editor but it still posted :S. Must have been one of the ghosts you were asking about. Live it up, Lakeside.New spaces. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Thornthwaite, Staff Officer to General White. Have you had an experience at the Air Disaster Memorial? No one saw what it was, but there was a 20 cent sized dent left on the bonnet, says Mr Evans who high tailed it out of the forest as fast as he could. [20], Being an RAAF flight, responsibility for the crash lay with the Department of Air rather than the Department of Civil Aviation and its Air Accident Investigation Committee. Her parents conducted an exhaustive search and no real leads turned up. Unlike most other places, this location has more than one legend attached to it. There are HEAPS of live music events, large View. A Narrabundah reader recently attempted his own nocturnal visit, and like me, left more than a little unnerved. Anyone else have any stories? "For my three colleagues were my close and loyal friends. Be one of the first to see the highly anticipated horror fi Enlighten Festival illuminates with after-dark events, Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival will see distilleries added to this years lineup, Mona Farm is hosting a garden-inspired Sunday lunch on the estate, New house-made burger joint opens in Dickson. The weather was sunny and clear, and people had remarked earlier that morning that it was a perfect day for flying. 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. This Friday is the 70th anniversary of Canberras worst air disaster when a Lockheed Hudson bomber plummeted into a hillside near Queanbeyan, burst into flames and killed all 10 people on board instantly. March 01, 2023 | Food & Drink, Entertainment. Pssst did you know there's more to Enlighten than its signature events? Stories of whispering voices and running footsteps, strange lights that fly towards the memorial, photos containing numerous orbs, ghostly sightings of men in old style overalls, screaming voices and even apparitions that appear to follow tour groups, yet quickly disappear when addressed or noticed. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall. I've never experienced Two of the ministers were later followed into federal politics by their sons, Jo Gullett and Tony Street. [22] The six civilian passengers were identified with the assistance of Street's private secretary Percy Hayter. Of course, there is only one way to find out. Richard Edwin Elford. [19] Goodwin was assisted by Thomas Mills, a representative of the Crown Solicitor's Office. "Yesterdays" columnist NICHOLE OVERALL looks at the mystery surrounding the crash. Vandalism or public liability perhaps? And yet their lives were extinguished faster than the fire on a match head in a breeze. 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. [26] There is anecdotal evidence that at least one eyewitness believed there were still people alive after the crash. 1 Aircraft Depot at RAAF Base Laverton on 20 June 1940 and assigned to No. I could see the flames," recalls Mr Nott, a retired doctor. Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. In many cases, yes. Bomber crash from 1940. Expert strata, facilitiesand building management services. The stories behind the people and places that make Canberra what it is. I once did a big burnout there. This 5.5km loop through the Fairbairn Pine plantation outside of Canberra is a nice trip through dense pine forest with a unique stop along the way at the Air Disaster Memorial. Staff Officer to Gen. White, Mr. Richard Edwin Elford
Behind, is the older memorial, erected on the site of the crash in 1960; a single monolith of stone with a metal plaque. Canberra real estate agent Phil Kouvelis celebrates 50 years in the industry, Tough new laws level the playing field for Canberra franchisees, Canberra Business Chamber CEO Graham Catt to bow out after two 'remarkable' years, Crazy prices come down to earth but housing market fall is slowing, Get ready to move into this bright and airy home, Strathnairn Charity House: MBA ACT construction industry workers to take on ACT Meteors, For Alex Bunton, the WNBL Domestic Violence Awareness round is personal, Royal Canberra Show wraps up as biggest ever, thanks to robots and horse actors, A film crew wants actors for local Stephen King adaptation and they're looking at you, First Looks: Cypher Brewing Co is set to bring craft brewing to Gungahlin, Always happy hour at Round Pizza, Dickson, Hope springs eternal among Goulburns pioneer graves, $1 million grant round opens for local charities. Thememorial itself embodied sadness, the inscription and the names discerned by the feeble light of my torch. If you arent occasionally spooked, I reckon you have no imagination. He was serving as Army Liaison Officer on the General Staff at the time of his death. Given this, we still must wonder about the ten men killed on the fateful day in August. However, unlike other legends, tied to a specific location, this location has seen more than one tragic event. The attacks killed 2,996 people and injured over 6,000 others and . This memorial cairn has been erected to honour the memory of, Brigadier the Honourable Geoffrey Austin Street, M. C., E. D.
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