LEST WE FORGET
Cadet Keith William STRONACH
Service No: 1946
Born: Melbourne VIC, March 1896
Enlisted in the Army: 7 March 1917
Unit: No. 7 (Training) Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
Died: Injuries from an Aircraft Accident, England, 7 July 1918, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Lasborough (St Mary) Churchyard, Gloucestershire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Samuel W. and Margarette Stronach, of 1048 Hay Street. West, Perth, West Australia
Place of Association: Perth WA
Remembered: Panel 188, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 7 July 1918, Cadet Stronach was killed in the crash of RE8 aircraft D/1513 at Leighterton. D/1513 had been flown immediately before by Captain H N Wrigley (1) instructing Cadet Stronach. Cadet Stronach, now solo, flew the aircraft away from the airfield and then back turned for a practice landing. On approach, the engine stalled with a loud band and appeared to stop while the glide towards the airfield appeared normal. The aircraft then disappeared from witness’ view behind a clump of trees and then a crash was heard. While trying to clear the trees, the aircraft had stalled and crashed.
(1) Air Marshal Henry Neilsen Wrigley (21 April 1892 – 14 September 1987)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record B2455, STRONACH KEITH WILLIAM