8 February 1943 - Crash of a Seagull (or Walrus) in the Bowen area

A Seagull VH-ALB,
at Mackay airport in 1963

Ex A2-4 of RAAF. Now located in RAF Museum, in Hendon, UK.

Same Seagull amphibious aircraft
at Mackay airport in 1963

On 8 February 1943 a Supermarine Seagull V, A2-9, (called a Walrus by the Air Force) of 9 Squadron RAAF crashed, possibly during a Fleet Co-operation role.

Killed were Fl. Lt. Donald Jack Hookings and P.O. Edward Charles Sherwood Seller of 9 Squadron RAAF based in Bowen and Lt. John Henry McWhae (Royal Navy) . They were all buried in the Townsville War Cemetery.

Subject:    Plane crashes in Queensland in WW2
Date:             Tue, 19 Oct 1999 21:46:55 -0000
From:           "Judy Taylor" <STSJudy@bigpond.com>

I found your web site very interesting. My father was with 9 squadron RAAF and his 1943 diary has notes on several crashes you mention. He flew in Catalinas. The dates are 8 Feb, March 2, April 1, April 8, April 13 and April 23. His notes are brief but may be of assistance to you.

8 February 1943
A2-9 into sea. Lt. McWhae, F/Lt Hookings and P/O Sellers killed on dive bombing practice. Bad weather. Heavy rains. Hull A2-9 located with grappling irons.

Thurs 11 February 1943
Violent rain all day. Confined to crew tent which almost flooded. Hull A2-9 raised and 3 bodies removed.

Fri 12 February 1943
Rain has continued unabated. Acted as pall bearer at funeral of 3 officers. Clark, Wearne, Briggs, Blakely and Foley others. Hole full water and coffins floated to within 3 ft surface. Bodies very smelly. Sellers leaked out bottom and guts . . .my hand. Rained heavily all ceremony.

2 March 1943
Search missing naval vessel. Found in distress against island. Landed Townsville just in time to see P-38 hit trees taking off. Damaged. . . .and after several circuits landed and immediately caught fire. Yank thrown 50 yds and landed in soft mud, only broken ankle.

3 March 1943
Cat-25 been missing off Innisfail. Last message "forced landing". . . . ..Cairns flight been searching for last two days. Lot of extra men on board too.

10 April 1943
Another Cat (3rd) lost on 8th. Caught fire and no trace of it. They suspect dirty work somewhere as three now gone in five weeks.

12 April 1943
Another Cat had motors cut north N. Guinea. Landed and engines fixed - getting home okay. Definite signs 5th column activity.

13 April 1943
At 4.45 a.m. another Cat exploded in flames when returning to and just near Cairns lighting whole town. 4 bodies recovered, 3 alive - gunners - say pilot stalled her when engine slipped out juice.

23 April 1943 - Good Friday
2 Kittyhawks crashed near Proserpine (both crashed on 22 April 43). 1 pilot okay. Our kite sent out to search for other one. Will delay us more so won't be on time at Horn.

I hope these notes are of interest to you. My father's name was John Beckenham. He died on March 29, 1994.

I wondered if as you seem to be particularly interested in Queensland history, you might have any information about the early history of Bundaberg? My father's mother came from there and her grandparents had settled there after coming out from Scotland in 1855. Their names were Samuel Andrew Mackie Goodwin and Mary Anne Goodwin.

I need your help

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