CRASH OF A LOCKHEED HUDSON
VIA LONG POINT ON THE NINETY MILE BEACH
NEAR LAKE REEVE, VIC
ON 9 JUNE 1942

visits since 9 April 2001

Lockheed Hudson

RAAF Lockheed Hudson A16-39 of No 7 Squadron, Bairnsdale crashed via Long Point on the Ninety Mile Beach Victoria at about 8:15 pm E.S.T. on 9th June 1942. It crashed near Lake Reeve. It had been on a seaward Reconnaissance flight looking for Japanese Submarines near Gabo Island.

The crash investigation revealed that the starboard engine failed not too long before the crash. The pilot placed the port airscrew into fine pitch and switched off the starboard engine. It is believed that whilst the aircraft was flying on the port engine only, it stalled and spun into the ground.

The crew of four were all killed:-

Sq/Ldr. James William McGilvray (232) - Pilot
Sgt Murdoch John Gawith (401622)
Sgt Frank Rupert Walton (401290)
Sgt. Ernest Douglas Bayley

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Rick Hanning (Churchill, VIC) for his assistance with the details on this crash.

I'd also like to thank Max Scott for his assistance with this web site. Max is the nephew of Sgt. Frank Walton.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

Heaps of WW2 books available at Amazon.com

"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 9 April 2001

This page last updated 10 June 2009