Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Ernest and Barbara Mattison Risbey, of Mildura, Victoria.

BELOVED SON OF E. AND B. RISBEY, BROTHER OF GEORGE, MILDURA, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

RISBEY - On September 16 at Trinidad, Pilot-Officer Geoffrey Thomas, the dearly loved son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Risbey, of Mildura, and the very dear brother of George (AIF)

Only those who have lost can tell

The sorrow of parting without farewell

Sweet memories

When the aircraft returned from an Anti Submarine Patrol at 1520 hours on 15th September 1942, visiblity at this base, Edinburgh Field, at Waller Field, and at N.A.S. Piarce, was temporarily reduced to approximately 500 years in a heavy thunderstorm.  The aircraft was ween to make a circuit of the aerodrome with its wheels down (a local flying order), at what was estimated to be a height of 500 to 600 fett.  It was then seen to enter the thickest portion of the storm situated to the North West of the runday, whilst still at this height.  When next sighted, the air-craft was just breaking the strom, below the level of a line of trees rnning at right angles and approximately 200 yards from the commencement of the runway.  The aircraft struck a tree with its starboard wing, between the engine and the fuselage.  The wing broke off, and the aircraft crashed immediately, breaking in half. As the crash took place directly in the line of the approach to the runway, it is thought that the pilot may have been making an attempt to land, but when last seen, just prior to strking the tree, the flaps were still up.  It should be noted that inside such thunderstorms in this climate, downward currents and rain pressure acting on an aircraft are considerable.  The pilot (G.T. Risbey), observer J.W.P. Walker, and Sgt. N.F. Brassington were dead when reached.  Sgt. A.M. Parkin dided shortly after the crash.  The fifith occupant of the aircraft, a United States Naval Mechanic, died tow hours later in hospital.