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Wirraway Air CrashPrint Page
The memorial commemorates the servicemen killed when two aircraft collided over Cleveland during World War Two.
In 1995, an Australia Remembers plaque was unveiled at the Cleveland Cemetery where some of the debris had landed but the names of those killed were not shown. On Friday 24 March 2000, a plaque was finally unveiled in the grounds of the Cleveland Cemetery showing the names of the 4 men who were killed on that tragic day in February 1942. A Wirraway flew over during the dedication ceremony. Amongst the large crowd that gathered were family members of those who were killed.
Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wirraways, A20-100 and A20-290 of 23 Squadron RAAF, from Archerfield airfield in Brisbane collided over Ormiston/Thornlands area near Cleveland in the Redlands Shire on 13 February 1942 during a practice of air fighting tactics. Debris from the two aircraft fell over the local school and cemetery and onto the shores of Moreton Bay. Four airmen were killed.
Location
Address: | Russell & Wellington Streets, Cemetery, Cleveland, 4163 |
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State: | QLD |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -27.529722 Long: 153.253889 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Monument |
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Monument Theme: | Conflict |
Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
Actual Event Start Date: | 13-February-1942 |
Approx. Event Start Date: | 1942 |
Actual Event End Date: | 13-February-1942 |
Approx. Event End Date: | 1942 |
Dedication
Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Friday 24th March, 2000 |
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23 (CITY OF BRISBANE)
RAAF SQUADRON
WIRRAWAY A20-290 WIRRAWAY A20-100
404068 SGT PILOT 405337 SGT PILOT
G.A.R. HARDY G.H.WILLIAMS
4576 AIR OBS SGT 2216 AIR OBS SGT
F.S.PLEDGE A. C. LORD
WE HONOUR THE MEMORIES OF THE TWO CREWS
Plaque :
50TH. ANNIVERSARY
OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II
During World War II two Wirraway Aircraft collided above
Moreton Bay with one crashing into Tidal Flat at
Thornlands. The other landed here in the Cleveland
Cemetery with the wing landing in the Cleveland State School
grounds. Four Airmen were killed in the crash.