Dedication of RAAF Memorial in Dornoch, Scotland

Peter McLady, based in London, has a strong connection to Stanthorpe and a passion for Military History.

Last Saturday, 10th August 2024, Peter and his wife Claudia attended the dedication service for the memorial to the Royal Australian Air Force crew of Short Sunderland W6009 that crashed into Dornoch Firth on 14th January 1945.

Below is a little history behind Peter attending this dedication...
"One of the five crew members killed in the air crash was Flying Officer Raymond Marstella of Stanthorpe.
Raymond was the son of Frederick and Sarah Marstella and had been working on the family property, “Langlands”, prior to enlisting in the RAAF.
He married Ellen Smith at the Chapel of the Slade School in December 1940 and they had a daughter, Crystal, born shortly before he left for overseas.
Raymond's cousin, Private Thomas Marstella was killed in action at Gallipoli in August 1915, and is also remembered on the Stanthorpe War Memorial.

The dedication service was attended by eighteen family members of the air crew who had made the long journey from Australia.
Also in attendance was the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Major-General Patrick Marriott, Mr Jamie Stone MP, senior officers from RAF Lossiemouth, members the Royal British Legion and people from the local community.
The construction of the memorial overlooking the crash site on Dornoch Firth was entirely due to the dedication and perseverance of Mr Kenneth McAulay from the Royal British Legion Scotland and Mr Frank Pepper from Adelaide.
Frank has built a website W6009.com that tells in detail the story of the RAAF crew who lost their lives or were seriously injured in the air crash." Peter McLady