3 August 1945 - Crash of a Mosquito at Coomalie Creek airfield

CRASH OF A MOSQUITO
AT COOMALIE CREEK AIRFIELD, NT
ON 3 AUGUST 1945

RAAF Mosquito A52-605, from 87 Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (87PRS) crashed on take off from Coomalie Creek airfield on 3 August 1945.

The crew were as follows:

S/Ldr Frederick James Gillespie, 407576 (Pilot) 
F/O Frank Alexander Haymes, 438623 (Navigator)

Both were admitted to NWA HQ Sick Quarters and placed on the dangerously ill list, then later transferred to No 1 Medical Receiving Station. S/Ldr Gillespie died at 14:15 hours on 5 August 1945 and was buried at the Adelaide River War Cemetery at 11:15 hours the following day. F/O Haymes survived and was discharged from the RAAF on 5 June 1946.

Photo: via Tony Porter