IT’S BEEN years in the planning, but Rushworth is now home to two permanent memorials recognising two of the Goulburn Valley town’s high-flying war heroes.
The bronze busts of airmen Air Marshal Sir George Jones and Air Vice-Marshal Frank McNamara – who were both born and grew up in the town – were officially unveiled at the Rushworth War Memorial in March.
Hundreds of people, including descendants of the men and dignitaries from the RAAF, army, navy and RSL, turned up for the ceremony dedicated to the pair, which also included a flypast by one of the Air Force’s newest aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon.
McNamara was the first and only Australian airman to be decorated with the Victoria Cross during World War I.
He was awarded the VC 100 years ago after coming to the aid of a fellow pilot whose plane crashed near Gaza.
After landing his own plane with a leg injured by shrapnel, McNamara repaired the squadron member’s plane under Turkish gunfire and flew more than 110km to the Australian base.
He was also among the original 21 officers named at the establishment of the RAAF in 1921.
McNamara’s daughter Anne Marland, who attended the ceremony with family, described her father as a “very modest man” who didn’t really talk about his VC.
“I admire him terribly for what he did,” she told Fairfax newspaper The Bendigo Advertiser.
“He was doing his job and was brought up to care for people and wouldn’t let somebody die if he could save him.
“This would mean an awful lot; he would be absolutely amazed at the effort Rushworth has made. As a family we are very touched.”
Air Marshal Jones enlisted as a private to serve at Gallipoli before being becoming a pilot in the Australian Flying Corps.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his aerial combat skills during the Western Front campaign and was knighted in 1953.
He was also pivotal in transforming the training of air force pilots and instrumental in recruitment during World War II.
Rushworth RSL president Bill Barlow was thrilled to see the statues unveiled and said the project fulfilled a long-held desire of the sub-branch to honour the memory of two distinguished locals.
“The Rushworth RSL committee has dedicated three years to planning this event, from researching history to tracking down family members, and we are extremely proud to be honouring these two early aviators and the Australian Flying Corps,” Mr Barlow said.
He said the unveiling was timely, marking the centenary of McNamara receiving his VC.
The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, attended the ceremony and said both men had “a special place in both air force and Rushworth history”.
