Historian's Find Gives Moonee Ponds Woman Closure

[Martin Edwards]

MARY Eugene was only three years old the day she learned her father had been killed in an RAAF plane crash in 1931, but she remembers it clearly.
"A big policeman knocked on the door, I remember it clear as anything," the Moonee Ponds woman said.

As normal, her father had gone off to work at the Laverton RAAF base.

After that knock on the door Mary learned that there had been an accident that day and two men, including her father John Yourn, lost their lives.

But little else was known.

"It really was forgotten, mum never spoke about it [the accident]."

About 12 months ago Mary was shocked to learn her father had died during dive-bombing practice in Seymour.

Seymour historian John Dalziel had seen an old photo of a plane crash site in his home town and began researching it.

He located the exact site where the plane crashed.

It turned out the passengers on the plane were John Yourn and Hiram Scoullar.

Mr Dalziel contacted Mary and soon after arranged to take her and her husband Emil to Seymour to the site.

The open paddock was much the same as it was in 1931. There was no plaque or recognition of the crash that claimed two lives.

Mary said the visit was an emotional experience.

She finds it incredible that people she had never met had helped her find the true story of her father.

A few weeks ago Mary returned to the Seymour paddock where the RAAF has now laid a commemorative plaque to recognise the events that took place on February 26, 1931.

"It was sad, very sad. We said a little prayer and I met so many people that knew all about my father."
BY EUGENE BENSON
Moonee Valley Weekly


Any ideas of the crash details including aircraft involved?

[batman]

Wapiti A5-20.

From ADF serials page:

Crashed Seymour VIC 26/02/31, Served with 1 Sqn. PLTOFF Scoullar, while performing some hedgehopping, struck trees during a low dive and crashed and caught fire during a Army Co-operation exercise killing both airmen. Pltoff Hiram Scoullar (Pilot) and AC1 Yourn.

[Brendan Cowan]

Well Done Batman,

Quick off the mark too.

BC

[Martin Edwards]

Thanks Batman

[Dean]

Yourn's full name is John Frederick Yourn

[Warhawk]

Thought I'd add a pic of what one looks like

A5-37 in this case

Attached Image