CRASH OF A VENTURA
INTO THE SEA OFF BREMER ISLAND,
NEAR GOVE, NT
ON 27 JANUARY 1945

At approximately 1010 hrs on 27 January 1945, RAAF Ventura, A59-56, ex Bu. 34754, c/n 5644, of 13 Squadron RAAF, crashed into the sea and was destroyed off Bremer Island, near Gove in the Northern Territory. The aircraft had been taking part in a gunnery exercise. A glassy sea caused the pilot to misjudge his height. A Catalina from No. 42 Squadron RAAF, located three survivors as follows:-

F/O Peter Wilberforce Clarkson (427499) - pilot (died later)
W/O George Robert Murdoch (420396) - cerebral injuries, fractured ribs, lacerated left leg
W/O Gordon Frank Cathro (417991) - shock and exposure

They were then taken back to Melville Bay by a Crash Launch.

Those killed were:-

Flt. Lt. Edward Lewis Calder (406770)
W/O Eric Clyde Peacock (423425)
F/Sgt Lloyd Haig Ames (210069)

The pilot F/O P.W. Clarkson eventually died from his injuries the following day - 28 January 1945.

Refer RAAF Accident Report No: 514 of 1944/45

This aircraft was originally received by the RAAF at 2AD on 21 September 1943. It was then received into 13 Squadron RAAF and given the Code SF-T on 1 October 1943. It was finally "Written off Strength" on 18 February 1945.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Lockheed Ventura in Australia : Deliveries - Uses - Fates"
Information compiled by Bert Cookson, Geoff Goodall and others
and edited for Newsletter by John Hopton.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Phil Herdman for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 29 July 1999

This page last updated 22 May 2022