Canberra Air Disaster
On 13 August 1940, in what became known as the Canberra air disaster, a RAAF Lockheed Hudson flying from Melbourne to Canberra crashed during its landing approach into a small hill to the east of the airport. Four crew and six passengers, including the Chief of the General Staff and three Federal Government ministers, including Fairbairn, were killed in the accident. Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies said in parliament, next day,
His mind and character were strong, and he displayed an unusual combination of cheerful fellowship with, perhaps, a hint of Scottish dourness. He was slow to speech, but, once engaged, he was gifted in exposition and resolute in advocacy of what he believed to be true.He was survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son, Geoffrey Forrester (1924-1980) who lectured in history at the Australian National University.
Fairbairn Airbase, (the eastern component of what is now known as Canberra International Airport), was named after him in 1953. In 1962 the military side of the Airport was renamed RAAF Base Fairbairn. The RAAF base has now been decommissioned, but the North-East quadrant of the Airport still retains the Fairbairn name.
His nephew Sir David Fairbairn was also a federal politician.
Read more about this topic: James Fairbairn
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