CRASH OF A WIRRAWAY
AT MAREEBA, NORTH QUEENSLAND
ON 12 JUNE 1943

Wirraway

On 12 June 1943, Wirraway, A20-289, of 5 Squadron RAAF, crashed at Mareeba in tropical north Queensland. Pilot F/Lt Frank Lawrence Parton and Navigator Sgt. Gordon Francis Blanch were both killed when the aircraft entered a flick stall during an A/A exercise. 

Both men are buried in nearby Atherton. 

Photo from the late Greg Sherman via Damian Waters

Wreckage of Wirraway A20-289 near Mareeba

Greg Sherman (passed away Oct 2002) was the tent mate of F/Lt. Parton. Greg flew Tiger Moths, Wirraways and Boomerangs from Mareeba and then No 4 Squadron Boomerangs in New Guinea and on his second tour of duty unarmed Austers in Borneo. Damian Waters told me the Greg Sherman was a true hero and some of his feats were absolutely amazing. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Damian Waters and Ross Parton, son of the pilot, for their assistance with this home page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 2 July 2000

This page last updated 02 February 2020