MEMORIAL DEDICATION
IN TOWNSVILLE 14 AUGUST 2005
TO REMEMBER THE TRAGIC CRASH OF
RAAF CATALINA A24-52
IN CLEVELAND BAY, OFF THE STRAND,
TOWNSVILLE, QLD
ON 7 SEPTEMBER 1943

Crash of Catalina A24-52 off The Strand,
Townsville on 7 September 1943

Photos supplied by Babette Smith

	Eileen Ponsford, David Angus, May Gerber (nee Pepperday) - waiting for the VP-60 March to start in Townsville
	(L-R) May Gerber (nee Pepperday) with Penny Doherty (daughter of Wing Commander Stephens) waiting to march
	RAAF Guard at the Memorial dedication
	RAAF Guard at the Memorial dedication
	Chris Stephens, Penny Doherty, Babette Smith, Jim Hockey, Eileen Ponsford, Prudy Drewe (niece of American pilot of the C-47 crash) and Bob Down (Salvation Army chaplain who conducted service at the crash site)
	Babette Smith and Chris Stephens
	Don Shearman reading a letter from Air Commodore Cobby.
	Babette Smith and Jim Hockey read names of those on board as roses are thrown into the water for each man.
	Robert Macfarlan and Memorial
	Babette Smith and Robert Macfarlan and Memorial
	Chris Stephens and his family members, with Les Fowler at the far left.
	Some of the relatives of crew members who attended the ceremony with Air Commodore Stewart Cameron at far left and Warrant Officer Darren Dolan at far right.
	The Memorial on The Strand
	Macfarlan family (Babette Smith, Robert Macfarlan (Babette's brother), Robert's wife Nicole and son Lachlan) thanking Cobby's grandson Rob Steinberg (2nd from left) as proxy for A.H. Cobby who saved their father's life
	L-R Jim Hockey (son of G.J. Hockey), Marie (in blue wife of Neville), Jennie Pomponio (formerly Hockey and daughter of G.J. Hockey) and Neville Hockey (brother of G. J. Hockey) waiting to march.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

This page first produced 17 August 2005

This page last updated 30 August 2015