Community & Business
3 July, 2021
Missing RADF crew honoured
79 YEARS after disappearing after takeoff , the World War II Royal Australian Air Force (RADF) Beaufort crew A9-56 have been honoured with a memorial plaque unveiled at the Mareeba Airport.
79 YEARS after disappearing after takeoff , the World War II Royal Australian Air Force (RADF) Beaufort crew A9-56 have been honoured with a memorial plaque unveiled at the Mareeba Airport.
The plaque was unveiled at an official service on Saturday, June 12 within the Mareeba Airport Memorial Park.
The crew consisted of pilot Sgt John Roland Pittman, navigator Sgt Charles Douglas Hucker, wireless air gunner Sgt Horace Evans Shying and wireless air gunner Sgt Edward Kennion Jones.
These men took off from Mareeba Airfield to carry out anti-submarine patrols along the northeast coast of Northern Queensland.
The aircraft disappeared without any prior radio signal being received and to this day has never been located although extensive searches were conducted days after its disappearance.
Family of the late Sgt Charles Hucker travelled from around the country to attend the service, including 96-year-old brother Jock Hucker who paid tribute to his brother and the crew of A9- 56.
Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Andrew Chadwick and Jock Hucker officially unveiled the plaque with the Last Post being played.
A solemn service was conducted with the plaque blessed by Noel Wason from Mareeba and wreaths were officially laid.
The plaque was officially funded by the proceeds of the Mareeba Military Muster, Hucker families and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.
The Mareeba Shire Council and Marcello Pendenza also assisted with the construction and installation of the memorial at the Mareeba Airport.
