TWO Barellan residents have recalled one day in 1943 when they not only witnessed a plane crash, but were scared they were the cause of it.
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Kevin Dicker and Owen Lyons were just 11 and 9 at the time of the incident, but their heroic actions helped save two lives.
The pair could not believe their eyes as they watched the Gypsy Moth plane with a pilot and passenger on board land at the Barellan Showground.
A plane landing at Barellan was a rarity and the excited boys had run all the way from where they lived in Myall Street to witness it on August 12, 1943.
On board was pilot and owner of the plan Wallace Stillard and passenger Major RC Ballantyne, who was on leave from the army.
The Major had political aspirations and was campaigning as an independent candidate for the seat of Riverina.
IN AWE OF PLANE
Leeton Family and Local Historical Society president Tony Reneker has researched what happened that day in what is a remarkable story.
"The men saw the two, wide-eyed boys and asked casually if they would mind looking after the plane while they made their way to the Barellan village," Mr Reneker said.
The boys jumped at the chance, even taking a peek inside, pushing every button and lever on the plane as they pretended to fight off enemy planes high over the English Channel.
After some time, the men returned to make their way to Wagga and Mr Dicker and Mr Lyons watched in awe as the pilot took off.
TROUBLE STRIKES
"The Gypsy Moth struggled to obtain lift and thrust and, to the horror of both the boys and the pilot, it became obvious the plane would collide with the numerous box trees which ringed the northern end of the showground," Mr Reneker said.
"In a desperate move, the pilot banked sharply to the left, with the idea of flying over the pavilions which lay to the west.
"The turn though was too sharp and his left wing collided with one of the several horse hurdles that were in place on the showground.
"The plane somersaulted and crashed to the ground with a tremendous roar.
"It remained upside down with its human cargo trapped inside and with petrol pouring from its fuselage."
The two boys were the only witnesses to the accident and on instinct, ran to the crash site.
A single spark could cause an explosion and mean certain death for its occupants and possibly the two boys.
"The boy's minds raced as they feared their playing in the plane had been the cause of the accident," Mr Reneker said.
"Despite their tender age, they were adept at hunting and skinning animals and, in fact, 'Tige' (Mr Dicker) was a Barellan Boy scout who just happened to be carrying his scout issued knife.
BOYS TO RESCUE
"With adept hands, he cut through the calico fabric side of the plane and Mr Stillard fell from the plane to the ground freed from his entrapment.
Once freed, Mr Stillard went to the aid of the Major who was suffering a cut to his face and released him as well." After that, the pair ran off, fearing they would get in trouble.
Newspaper reports at the time ran the story of the crashed plane, but no mention was made of the heroic rescue efforts of the boys.
The boys, fearing they were still to blame for the accident, kept their story a secret for years and, as they grew up, the secret remained between them.
"In fact, neither man even told their respective wives of the incident until much later in life," Mr Reneker said.
"It wasn't until the 1990s the story was told for the first time in a local Barellan bulletin.
"Had this happened in 2019, the rescue of the two men by the two Barellan boys would have created a storm on social media and they would have probably received national acclaim."
Neither man consider they did anything special on that day, 76 years ago this month.
Mr Dicker is now a resident of Leeton's Masonic Lodge, while his wife Nancy still resides in Leeton after moving from Barellan about 12 years ago.
Mr Lyons moved to Leeton with his wife Elizabeth about 63 years ago, but still calls Barellan home.
"Both were a little reluctant to talk about the incident and played down the fact they should be considered heroes," Mr Reneker said.
"Both agreed they felt lucky at the time they did not get into any trouble, but more importantly that no one was seriously injured."
AND THE PLANE?
Suffering extensive damage, it was moved by Norm Hands to a shed owned by the Barellan petrol agent, Mr Levy. The shed was situated opposite the Barellan silos next to what was then Fred Donaghey's shop.
The wreck was sold months later by Mr Stillard to a Mr HB (Bert) Mark of North Deniliquin.
Mr Mark oversaw its painstaking rebuild and it was spotted two years later flying high in the skies above Deniliquin. Mr Stillard was not quite as lucky.
He had purchased a Percival Petral Q.6 and about 11am on July 4, 1947 left Sydney Airport bound for Geelong in the plane.
He was not heard of again until about 12 months later when the wreck, containing the skeleton or Mr Stillard, and his passenger John Meehan, was located near Wee Jasper.
As for Major Ballantyne, he suffered a resounding defeat at the 1942 federal election, polling only 2992 votes, compared to Labor's Mr JC Langtry who polled over 25,000 votes.