Obituaries Australia

David McConnel, n.d.

The friends and schoolfellows of Lieut. David Ewan McConnel, Royal Air Force, second son of Mrs. D. R. McConnel, will regret to learn that he was killed on December 7 last, while flying in a fog (says Brisbane 'Courier'). After leaving Queensland he spent two happy years in the Palo Alto Elementary School, California, and made many friends. He then went to La Chataignereai, in French Switzerland, for two years, and became a fine skier and mountain climber. He came to England in 1914, and entered Bedales School, Hants. He became head boy, and assisted in organising the school parliament, and was captain of the football team. He brought with him certain methods which he had learnt in baseball at California, and twice won a big match for the school by a dexterous movement — in throwing himself full length after the ball. In March 1918, before he was 18, he entered the Royal Air Force, choosing the 'Fighting Scouts,' the most difficult of all machines. He was very successful, for he loved flying. He was recommended to ask for a permanent commission, as he had great influence for good with men and was master of his profession. The commission had been granted, and his wings had been won, on the day that he died. He was asked to take a machine— a 'samel'— 60 miles away to another 'drome. A dense yellow fog came on, and he had to battle for hours to find his way. At last he made his destination, and just as he was observed his machine suddenly fell to the earth. It is supposed that in the moment of relaxation caused by the sight of his goal at last, he fainted and lost control; it is not an unknown experience among airmen. He had never had any accident previously, though he had performed every manoeuvre known to air men. One of the parents of a boy at Bedales wrote, on hearing the sad news: 'I feel it such a blow . . . When I was speaking to the chief of him on Sunday, he said, 'He was never quite like the other boys. There was something fatherly in his attitude to them.' Your son appealed to me as so strong, kind and desirable. I was thankful Bedales had him. Several of the boys and girls told me how different they felt about his funeral— in all cases the sense of personal loss came out, such as I feel myself. It did not surprise me when the chief said his flying officers had spoken so warmly, not only with affection and admiration, but almost with reverence. How blessed for you to have produced such a son. And how my heart goes out to you. The remains of the late Lieut. McConnel were laid to rest in the Steep churchyard — beside his two friends who also died flying — at the gates of his beloved school.