Cape memorial backflip
Sign dedicated to heroic WWII pilot reinstated
THE state government has reversed a decision to remove a sign at a remote Cape York beach and apologised to the angry family of a heroic World War II pilot after the desecration of a historic memorial.
Sometime before August 12 this year, as reported by the Cairns Post, rangers removed a sign inscribed with a plaque remembering Royal Australian Air Force flying officer David Ellerton, who was killed in 1942.
The homemade sign was installed in 2001 by nephew of the killed pilot Tim Ellerton.
In a statement to the Cairns Post in September the Department of Environment and Science said the sign was unauthorised and traditional owners had not consented to the installation.
But in a major backflip rangers were recently back out at the beach, 100km north of Cooktown, to replace the sign.
“Following objections by the family, QPWS and traditional owners researched the history, and a resolution was passed to reinstall it,” a DES spokesman said.
“The department recognises the significance of the location for the Ellerton family and has apologised.”
FO Ellerton flipped his P40 Kittyhawk while coming to the rescue of missing US pilot lieutenant David McGovern at the Cape York beach.
He was killed by the rising tide while trapped in his cockpit. Taking immense pride in the sacrifice of his uncle, David Ellerton expressed hurt and anger before launching a successful campaign to get the sign back in the ground.
“The Ellerton family appreciates the eventual collaborative effort … in correcting the earlier unannounced removal of this memorial,” he said.
“The Ellerton family is truly grateful for the efforts by Jim Parker in refurbishing and reinstalling the memorial sign originally erected 21 years ago.”
The DES has committed to maintaining memorial site and intends to recognise other WWII plane crash sites in the area, according to Mr Ellerton.
“Interpretative and signage upgrades for the park are currently being considered, and consideration is being given to incorporating elements of Cape Melville’s war history,” the DES spokesman said.
Mr Ellerton thanked Cook
town local Kym Jerome, Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott, and FNQ historian Michael Musumeci for their efforts to get the important historical landmark reinstalled.