MR C.J. MELROSE KILLED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21827, 6 July 1936, Page 9

MR C.J. MELROSE KILLED

MACHINE COLLAPSES IN PUGHT PASSENGER ALSO DEAD IN VICTORIAN CRASH FALL FROM HEIGHT OF 9906 FEET ) (VETTED P&BSS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIQHT.) (Received July 6. 1,20 a.m.) MELBOURNE, July 5. Mr C. J. Melrose, the young South Australian aviator, and LieutenantColonel A. G. Campbell, a wellknown mining engineer, were killed this morning at Melton, 30 miles from Melbourne, while on a flight to Adelaide. Mr Melrose, who recently undertook a goodwill flight for the South Australian centenary celebrations, was flying Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell to Adelaide to begin a flight over Central Australia. While over Melton, flying at 3000 feet, the aeroplane went into a spin and appeared to break into pieces, which scattered over an area of two square miles. Both men were killed Instantly. Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell was making a trip for a syndicate of Melbourne and Adelaide business

men to inspect gold-mining areas at Pine Creek, Central Australia. Mr Melrose, who was flying his Heston Phoenix high-wing cabin monoplane, which he recently flew from England was the bestknown young aviator in Australia. His career was short, but brilliant He was aged 21 years and learned to fly 22 months ago in an aeroplane given him by his mother. This machine he flew round Australia in five days 11 hours, breaking the existing record by one day 21 hours. He flew to England in eight days nine hours, creating a record, when he went to enter the Melbourne centenary air race. He was the youngest competitor in the air race and gained third place in the handicap section.

On his last flight from England he interrupted his Journey at Singapore to search for Sir Charles Kings-ford-Smith.

A Canberra message says:—"l regret exceedingly that yet another of Australia's great airmen has gone to his death." said the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) to-night. He added that Mr Melrose had won considerable fame in his brief career. Not the least valuable of his achievements was his skilful search for Sir Charles KingsfordSmith last year. The sympathy of all Australia would go to his devoted mother. [Lieutenant - Colonel Alexander George Campbell, DJS.O., F-R.Q.S., was a director of North Broken Hill, Ltd., Mount Criion Oold Mines, and other companies. He was educated at the School of Mines, Ballarat, and gained general experience in mining and metallurgy at Broken Hill and at Mount Morgan. He was mining engineer to the Burma Corporation, Burma, in 1920 and 1921 ana later returned to Australia, where he held several mining posts. Re enlisted for the Great War as a second lieutenant, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was wounded severely three times and was mentioned in dispatches. 1