Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James Richard G COLLISON and Cleavy Melba COLLISON nee SMITH , Stewarts Brook, via Scone, NSW

Located crashed aircraft whilst at home on leave :-

Kenneth Thomas Collison deposed:
I am a single man, a member of the A.I.F. on leave, and reside with my father at Stewart's Brook, via Scone. On Sunday, 27th January. 1946, in company with my brother, Roy,  and cousin, Leslie Collison. I went on horseback to my father's leased pro- perty at Barrington Tops for the purpose of mustering stock at my father's property. Whilst riding round  the cattle, and after completing the muster, I decided to return home to Stewart's Brook by a different route than usual. My brother and cousin came with me. Whilst riding along  through the thickly timbered country, I noticed something which looked like a piece of a motor car lying on the ground. I got off my horse, examined it, and found it to be a piece  of an aeroplane like the portion of a wing.  I immediately called my brother and cousin, and we decided to make a search of the locality, when I discovered the wrecked remains of an aircraft, portions of which were strewn about for a quarter of a mile in area, and some in the tree-tops. Saw two aircraft engines lying on the ground, both some distance  apart. Also noticed a shirt, and after a further search, found a R.A.A.F. cap and a portion of a singlet. Examined the shirt and cap, and found the name 'Bidstrup' inside the shirt  and cap. I then made a further search to see if I could find the remains of dead bodies, but was unsuccessful. I then returned to Stewart's Brook and notified the Sergeant of Police at Scone of my finding of the wrecked aircraft at Barrington Tops. It was about 4.30 p.m. when I located the wrecked aircraft.