CRASH OF AN AVRO ANSON
ON MOUNT TORBRECK NEAR EILDON, VIC
ON 16 MAY 1940

visits since 23 October 2000

Subject:    Anson Crash Victoria 1940
Date:             Thu, 24 Aug 2000 21:12:04 +1000
From:           "David McMillan" <mcmillan@ssc.net.au>

Peter,

I discovered your web page via Australian Aviation and commend you on its worthiness. I have a crash for you which I discovered while deer hunting in the mountains near Eildon, Vic in the 1980's. I wrote an article about it in Australian Ultralights many years ago but, alas, I stupidly never kept a copy. I also sent details and photo's to Neil Follett (PO Box 461, Lilydale, 3140) who, you may be aware, is researching aviation memorials.

The crash site is on Mount Torbreck and difficult to find because the track is long overgrown - at least is was when I "discovered " it in 1985. I sent details of it to the Point Cook Museum and they sent me some details:

Three Ansons left Point Cook at 1145 on 16 May 1940, enroute from Pearce to Camden, callsigns 8BNE, 8BNF and 8BNA. BNE eventually reached Cootamundra, but BNF and BNA attempted to return to Point Cook. BNA went missing and was found to have crashed on Mount Torbreck, near Eildon. The crew were PO A.A. Daniel, Cpl I.L Stowdor, Cpl F.E. Hyland and Cpl H.F. Sass. The aircraft was A4-4 of 14 Squadron RAAF.

A small memorial and plaque was erected on the site of which I have some photo's (see below). There is still some scrap metal laying about the site, though I understand the aircraft was recovered for scrap by locals. Neil Follett has my original material if you want more details, or I could try and dig out my negatives if you like.

David McMillan

The following information is from the Commonwealth War Graves home page:-

In Memory of

ANTHONY ASHBY DANIEL

Flying Officer (243)
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Thursday, 16th May 1940. Age 22.

Son of George and Winifred Amy Daniel, of Mount Lawly, Western Australia.

Cemetery: VICTORIA CREMATION MEMORIAL, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 3 (cremated Springvale Crematorium)

In Memory of

IVAN LAPEN STOWDOR

Corporal (2474)
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Thursday, 16th May 1940. Age 25.

Memorial: SYDNEY MEMORIAL, New South Wales, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: Panel 7.

In Memory of

FRANCIS ETTIENE HYLAND

Corporal (3515)
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Thursday, 16th May 1940. Age 27.

Son of Charles William and Alice Hyland-husband of Eileen Alma Hyland, of Balwyn. R.C. Plot. Compt.

Cemetery: FAWKNER MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY, Victoria, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: I. Grave 562.

In Memory of

HERMAN FRED SASS

Corporal (2560)
Royal Australian Air Force
who died on Thursday, 16th May 1940. Age 23.

Son of Ferdinand Herman Hans and Linda Margareta Sass; husband of Daphne Sass, of South Perth.

Cemetery: PERTH (KARRAKATTA) CREMATORIUM, Western Australia, Australia
Grave Reference/Panel Number: H Wall. Niche 6.

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This page first produced 23 October 2000

This page last updated 30 September 2001