I first met Allan many years ago when we were both members of the Australian Warbirds Association.  Thereafter we met on many occasions, particularly after the Australian

Aviation Museum was launched in 1994.

Like a number of other friends, Allan over that time sent “mountains of mail” to me, almost

all related to the DC3 aircraft !   Allan knew the location, history and serial numbers of

just about any DC3 aircraft in the world !!!

Just before Al’s untimely passing, we met on Wednesday at the Powerhouse Museum for a meeting of the Australian Historical Aircraft Association.  Al called me aside and told me he was going to bring his entire collection of aviation documents to the Australian Aviation Museum, something he had promised to do on many occasions !!!   Sadly he did not arrive.   Many of Al’s friends offered to give him a proper funeral.  Unfortunately, however, the NSW Police would not allow this to happen until all efforts to find his sister had been exhausted.

 

A few days later I had a call from Ron Cuskelly in Queensland.  Ron had been advised by Al’s next door neighbour, John Tressam, that the Public Trustee had thrown all of Al’s documents

into a recycling bin.  One of my Museum colleagues immediately contacted John and collected the documents in several boxes.  They are now safely in the care of our Library staff, who continue

to sort and archive the many documents, books, etc.

I received a call from a former Ansett Flight Attendant, who advised she was trying to raise funds for Al’s funeral among former Ansett employees.  This lady also contacted Senior Channel 9 Reporter Simon Bouda, who took a great interest in the story and then contacted me one Wednesday morning on my way to the Museum.  Simon met me at the Museum with his cameraman and taped an interview with myself and Jack Curtis, Chief Pilot for

Discovery Air Tours, a company which operates only DC-3 aircraft.

The story went to air the following Monday on the 6pm News, then a follow up on Thursday.  Immediately following the first story, both myself and Channel 9 were contacted by the owner of Euro Funerals, Roselands with an offer to conduct the funeral free of charge, an offer immediately accepted with gratitude

Al’s sister Noeline was tracked down in New Zealand by Detective Brendon Hicks, who persevered in finding her using Interpol.   A few days ago I spoke at length to Noeline and suggested that if she would agree to having Al cremated, Jack Curtis and myself would scatter his ashes from a DC3 aircraft, something I am sure Al would approve of !  Noeline readily agreed.

With the very professional arrangements by Euro Funerals, Allan was remembered at a moving and dignified service on Monday, November 19, at Rookwood Cemetery.  A number of Allan's family were in attendance, as were a number of his aviation friends and admirers.

When the ashes are released to the family, a Service will be arranged at the Australian Aviation Museum, after which a DC3 will take off to scatter the ashes.  Due to a recent engine failure on the proposed aircraft, DC3 VH-DNA, the ashes will now be scattered when the aircraft is repaired.

Channel 9 have indicated that they would like to be involved, and will have cameras

in the DC3 and possibly follow the flight in their Helicopter.

Via email I have received pledges of support from the Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society and friends of Al, as well as others including the Australian Aviation Museum Volunteers.  Any excess funds collected will be put towards a Plaque in honour

of Allan to be mounted and displayed at the Australian Aviation Museum.