New individual memorial plaques for 3SQN RAAF's first air crash victims were installed in Queanbeyan and Canberra by the Association in 2022.
We will be holding a Centennial Memorial Event close to the 100th Anniversary of the accident, on Monday 16 February 2026, in conjunction with the 450 Squadron 85th Anniversary, at the RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura A.C.T.
The 3SQN Centennial Plaque currently located in the Grove - installed 2016 - also remembers these men.
February 2026 is getting close and we would like to get
a better idea of the likely numbers. For 3SQN, it
will mark:
- 110 years since the Squadron was first founded in
WW1 (1916).
- Centennial of 3SQN RAAF’s first aircrew fatalities,
in Canberra, in February 1926.
- Ten years since 3 Squadron’s last Hot War in Iraq/Syria in 2016.
The main commemoration ceremony will be at
the National RAAF Memorial Grove, Majura ACT, at
11am on Monday 16th February.
Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of Formation of No.450
Squadron in WW2, our sister-Association will be dedicating their
new Memorial Grove bronze plaque, remembering their war-dead in
North Africa and Italy, plus all who served in “The Desert
Harassers”.
3SQN RAAF will be providing a
ceremonial party of serving members from Williamtown. (And
we're hoping to see a 3SQN F-35 flypast as well.)
PROPOSED SCHEDULE:
Sunday 15 February – 1500 – 3SQN
Graveside visit (Pilot Officer PITT) Riverside Cemetery
Queanbeyan.
1830 - Informal Welcome Dinner. [Mercure Canberra
Hotel, Braddon.]
Monday 16 February – 1100 - 450
Squadron Plaque Dedication Service.
Memorial Speech for 3SQN RAAF’s (and the ACT's) first fatal
crash 1926.
1230 - Formal lunch – Mercure Hotel, Braddon. $65pp.
Guest speakers – Current CO3 WGCDR Mark BIELE CSM
and former CO3 and National President of the Air
Force Assn, AVM [ret.] Vincent “Joe” IERVASI AM.
1630 – AWM “Last Post” Ceremony.
1800 - Pre-dinner drinks and informal dinner for those wishing
to stay on at the Mercure.
Tuesday 17 February – 0915 – 3SQN
Graveside visit (Aircraftsman CALLANDER) St Johns Church
Ainslie.
1000 – Group Visit to Charles Bean Research Centre AWM
[archives] and unguided tour of the AWM.
1300 - Informal lunch-Poppy's Café - AWM.
3SQN Association is also intending to separately visit the graves
of the Squadron’s two 1926 casualties at suitable times
within the above schedule.
ACCOMMODATION:
450 Association has arranged a concession rate at the Mercure
Hotel Canberra (Braddon), including room, breakfast and
parking.
Details of the booking code will be sent to registered
attendees.
We’re expecting to have a great
time!
Please Register your Interest ASAP.
- If not attending all functions, please indicate which
ones.
(And do share this announcement with any of your mates who may
wish to attend.)
Please email or telephone Vicki: vcr63600@bigpond.net.au,
(0407) 455 137.
Date TO BE ANNOUNCED.
3SQN Association is intending to combine with The Association of WW1 Aero-Historians on a...
Guided by museum experts, there will be particular
emphasis on the Museum's flyable RE-8
- 3AFC's mount in WW1.
See our Photo Essay.
The Association in NSW enjoyed four events in a row, in Williamtown, Richmond and Sydney.
“Can you hear something ticking...?”
John "surveying" the Airport founded by his father
in 1919.
A beautiful day in Canberra for 3SQN Alamein
veterans and their sons.
Chas Wannan, Kittyhawk and Mustang Flight
Commander. [Portrait by Dom O'Donnell]
For more photo
coverage and the background story: Click
Here
A great day for all of the 3SQN Generations!
[Left to Right:] Terry van Haren, Gus Thomson, Bob Treloar and
Arthur Pardey.
For more photo coverage: Click
Here
[Picture by Dominic O'Donnell]
For more parade and airshow photo coverage:
Click
Here
"The old and the bold meet the young and the bold." For
more photo coverage: Click
Here
For more photo coverage of the 2010 Family Day: Click Here
On Saturday 10th July 2010, the Association returned to Richmond RAAF Base for the 70th Anniversary of the Squadron "marching out" to War on the 15th of July 1940. We were honoured to have four of "The Originals" in attendance.
For the full set of annotated photos, click here.
Harvard Graduate
An uplifting photo set showing NSW Hon. President Tom Russell enjoying a surprise sortie in a Harvard Trainer, just before presenting a speech at Camden RSL. (June 2010).
Anzac Day 2010
Anzac Day 2010 went very well in Sydney and the RAAF Official Photographer captured a nice image of 3SQN CO Terry van Haren with the WW2 veterans present on the day. It was especially gratifying that our President Peter Cuthbert (2nd from left) could be there despite his recent illness. [Pete told us that he's recently received a disturbing note in his mailbox saying, "If you don't stop making love to my wife, I will KILL you!" - But the note was unsigned, so Pete has no way of knowing which husband wrote it!]
L to R: Slim Moore, Peter
Cuthbert, WGCDR Terry van Haren, Tom Russell, Gordon Steege,
Arthur Pardey, Don Nicholls.
(Click here for the full-sized image by the RAAF Official Photographer.)
3 Squadron 93rd Birthday Parade, 2009
Click here for a photo set, speeches from the day and historical notes on the Squadron's first and last combat losses in WWII.
Reunion of Butterworth Fitters in Malaysia 2008.
Canberra Reunion 2002 in the Australian War Memorial
3 Squadron's 85th Birthday at Nelson Bay, 18- 20 September 2001
