Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Experts who investigated the crash of the R.A.A.F. Avro Ansen bomber, plane at Liverpool in which two men were killed and three critically injured, believe, that when the machine dipped  over observers, apparently as a farewell gesture, and turned towards Richmond, the pilot may not have had as much altitude as he thought. The wing tip may have touched the ground in the turn and thus led to immediate disaster.

The plane was last to leave for Richmond after bombing practice. Pilot Officer Scott, who was on observation duty a mile away, said that the plane gave the all clear signal and disappeared over a range of hills. Then he heard a series of crashes. With other men he rushed to the scene and found wreckage strewn over an area of about four acres. The Pilot was pinned under the gun turret with his neck broken. A second member of the crew lay dying a few yards away on the side of the plane, a third twenty-five yards away from the nose, with a  fourth beside him. The fifth was 75 yards clear of the wreck.

The survivors' minds are a complete blank. The plane fortunately carried no live bombs at the time. The crash occurred less than a mile from the bombing observation post from which officers had been watching manoeuvres. Until the Air Accidents Investigation Committee has taken statements from the surviving members of the crew, and closely examined all angles of the disaster, both actual and  theoretical, it is unlikely that any accurate conclusions wil be drawn as to the cause.
Group Captain Harrison, of the Air Accidents Investigation Committee, left Melbourne by plane tlils morning and later, viewed the scene of the smash at Liverpool. The coroner will also make an  inspection, after which lenders from the R.A.A.F. station at Richmond Hill will remove the debris.
Police and an R.A.A.F. detachment stood guard over the wreckage through out last night, and no persons were ad mitted to the field on which the plane crashed.

Flight-Lieutenant M. P. Allsopp was general Sales manager of the New South Wales branch of the Vacuum Oil Co. Pty. Ltd. at the time of his death. He had spent some months at the head office,  Melbourne prior to his return to his native State in his new position, and was welcomed back to Sydney by executive and departmental officers at a function held at the Royal Automobile Club on April 30.
Flight-Lieutenant Allsopp had an interesting career in the Vacuum Oil Company. He joined the New South Wales branch in December. 1929, as a widening the circle officer; but was soon transferred to the Aviation Department, for which his previous experience well qualified him. During his 4 1/2 years In the Aviation Department he gained experience as a salesman. In August, 1934, he was promoted to the position of district manager. From February of this year until his present appointment, Mr. Allsopp was assistant to the chief aviation officer at head office. Prior to joining the Vacuum  Oil Company, Mr. Allsopp had extensive military and flying experience qualifying for the ranks of Captain and, with the R.A.A.F., that of Flight-Lieutenant. He was officer in charge of flying cadets at  Point Cook at the time he entered the service of the Vacuum Oil Company.  

ANSON DEATHS
ACCIDENTAL
Accidental death, probably caused by the machine being caught in an air pocket, and crashing to the ground, was the finding of the Liverpool District Coroner, Mr. P. S. Poolman, when the inquest on the three man killend when an Air Force Avo Anson bomber crashed at Green Hills, near Liverpool on May 29.

When the Anson crashed, the pilot, Flight-Lieutenant Marshall Plimsell Allsopp, 36, advertising manager, of Cooper-street. Double Bay, and Air craftsman William Arthur Lockwood, 29, fitter, of Boyce-road Maroubra, were killed. Aircraftsman Raymond Conrad Lawson, 33, radio inspector, of Clarence-street, Sydney, was fatally injured.

Son of Thomas Plinsoll ALLSOPP - Lieutenant who enlisted in WWI on 09 September 1918 1st Light Horse Regiment.

Marshall Plimsoll Allsopp was born on the 25th of April 1901, to Thomas and Alice Allsopp, in Tumut, New South Wales. His father was an Army Officer and Great War veteran. He married Miss Nion Thelma Kenyon, in March 1927 and had two children Pamela and David.  

Following in his father’s footsteps, Marshall enlisted as an officer cadet into Duntroon on the 26th of March 1919. He was appointed as a Lieutenant on the 14th of December 1922, proceeded to serve in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery and then went to British India for further training. On the 26th of April 1926 he transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force as a pilot at the rank of Flying Officer. He spent the next decade between full time and reserve service before returning to full time service in 1937 and promoted to Flight Lieutenant in August 1937.  

During that decade he was the employed by the Vacuum Oil Company.  On the 29th of May 1938, the Arvo Anson Bomber that Flight Lieutenant Allsopp was piloting crashed in Green Hills, near Liverpool, New South Wales, killing himself, Aircraftsman William Arthur Lockwood and Aircraftsman Raymond Conrad Lawson. There were only two survivors, Aircraftsman Gordon and McKay. A military funeral was held for Flight Lieutenant Allsopp on the 1st of June 1938.

Marshall Plimsoll Allsopp was survived by his father, wife and two children (his mother having died in 1916).

References –

Digital Item Page Gallery (naa.gov.au)

Family History Search Results (nsw.gov.au)

Marshall Plimsoll Allsopp 1901-1938 - Ancestry®

NLA Trove Newspaper Website

Samual Cox, PM, July 2023

ALLSOPP.-May 29, 1938, at Liverpool, Flight Fix this textLieutenant Marshall Plimsoll Allsopp (R.A.A.F.), beloved husband of Nion Thelma and dear father of Pamela and David, aged 37 years. (Result of
air accident.)