TOLL OF THE AIR

Evening Star, Issue 22383, 6 July 1936, Page 9

TOLL OF THE AIR

C. J. MELROSE KILLED ENGINEER ALSO LOSES LIFE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright MELBOURNE, July 5. Mr C. J. Melrose, the young South Australian aviator, and Lieutenantcolonel A. G. Campbell, a well-known 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 on behalf of the South Australian centenary celebrations, was flying Mr Campbell to Adelaide to begin' a flight to Central Australia. While over Melton, flying at 300 ft, the aeroplane apparently went into a spin, and appeared to break into pieces, which were scattered over an area of two square miles. Both men were killed instantly. Mr Campbell was making the trip on behalf of a syndicate of Melbourne and Adelaide business men to inspect the gold mining areas of Pine Creek, in Central Australia. Mr Melrose, who was flying his Heston Phoenix high wing cabin monoplane, which he recently flew out’from England, was the best known young aviator in Australia. His career was short, but brilliant. Aged 21 years, he learned to fly 22 months ago in a plane given to him by his mother. This machine he flew round Australia in 5d llh, breaking the existing record by Id 21h. He flew to England in 8d 9h creating a. record, when he went to enter in the 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 Kingsford Smith. , GOVERNMENT’S SYMPATHY. In a statement at Canberra to-night the Prim© Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) said: “I regret exceedingly that yet another of Australia’s great airmen has gone to bis death. Melrose won considerable fame in his brief career, and not the least valuable of his achievements was bis skilful search for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith last year. The sympathy of the whole of Australia will go out to hij devoted mother.” GENERAL GIRMW IN AVIATION CIRCLES LONDON, July 5. (Received July 6, at 9.36 a.nL) Melrose’s death has catised- sorrow in English aviation circles. A STATE FUNERAL ADELAIDE. July 6. (Received July 6, at 11.5 a.m.) The Premier (Mr R. L. Butler) said Melrose would be given a State funeral if his body was brought to Adelaide, otherwise a State Minister would be sent to Melbourne to represent the Government. No decision was made last night owing to the distressed condition of Mrs Melrose. [Lieutenant-colonel A. G. Campbell was a native of Melbourne, and actively interested in aerial gold mining companics, including North Broken Hill Ltd., of which he was a director. He was 47 years of age. He served with the Australian Forces from 1915 to 1919, being awarded the D.S.O.- He was several times mentioned in despatches and three times seriously wounded.]