CRASH OF TWO WIRRAWAYS OF 24 SQUADRON
AT WOODSTOCK, QLD
ON 7 JUNE 1942

Wirraway

At 1030K hours on 7 June 1942, two Wirraways A20-470 & A20-473, of 24 Squadron RAAF from Aitkenvale air strip, Townsville, Queensland collided in mid air over Woodstock killing Flight Sergeant Observer Maxwell Kemp Russell (3670) in A20-470. He was buried at the Townsville War Cemetery. The three other crew members who parachuted to safety were as follows:-

Flying Officer Michael William Burrows (260702)
Sergeant David Barnaby Davies (406924)
Flight Sergeant Robert William Nimmo Orr (5800)

The 24 Squadron Operations Record Book shows the location of the collision as being over Woodstock. The Casualty - Repatriation File for Maxwell Kemp Russell shows the crash as happening near Kelso Field near Anthill Plains.

Note:- I originally had the two aircraft incorrectly shown as A20-490 & A20-493.

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN
Thursday 17 August 1995

IN BRIEF

AIRMAN'S MEMORIAL UNVEILED
THURINGOWA residents will be able to participate in VP50 formalities tomorrow with the unveiling of a memorial at the Kelso RSL.

Memorial at Thuringowa RSL

Photo taken February 1999

Thuringowa City Council, the RAAF and RSL representatives will attend the memorial presentation to mark the death of Thuringowa flight sergeant Max Russell, who crashed at Kelso on June 7, 1942.

Between 42 and 60 military vehicles are expected to drive from Thuringowa council chambers to the Thuringowa RSL via Kelso State School.

The convoy will be accompanied by veterans and representatives from 24 Squadron.

Mr. Russell's sister Joyce Harris is expected to attend the service.

The memorial was funded by a $5000 Australia Remembers grant.

REFERENCE BOOK

"Aircraft of the RAAF 1921- 71"
By Geoffrey Pentland & Peter Malone

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 18 July 1998

This page last updated 21 November 2022