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PE SAAF Museum gains an Avro Anson painting

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During a visit to the Port Elizabeth SAAF Museum, Robert and Elizabeth Ward of the UK noticed that there was no representation of an Avro Anson aircraft from WW2 on display. They contact the Museum and offered to commission a painting of Avro Anson 3271, an aircraft which crashed, killing a relative, Roland Songhurst.

Robert and Elizabeth wanted to commemorate Roland, Elizabeth’s uncle in a permanent exhibit in the Museum.

Avro Anson serial number 3271 based at 42 Air School in Port Elizabeth during WW2 was initially tasked to carry out a communications flight to Queenstown and then again to carry out dive bombing training in the Katberg Area with student Observers aboard. It stayed at 47 Air School in Queenstown for the duration of the tasking.

Unfortunately, on 6th February 1944 during training, the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in the Katberg mountains. Roland survived for a short while but succumbed to his injuries. All other crew members died on impact.

The original oil painting, produced for Robert & Elizabeth Ward by Don Bell, is now hanging on a special display area in the PE SAAF Museum accompanied by an explanatory poster exhibit as a permanent reminder of the men at 42 Air School who gave their lives to stop the Axis forces during 1939 – 1945.

Records show that the aircraft was delivered on 1 April 1942 as Dg723 and then was given the code “VW” and re-numbered 3271. It was struck off charge on 19 June 1944.

The pilot was Lt Daniel C van Sittert SAAF who rests in Sanderton Civil Cemetery and the other crew members – Aircraftman Frederick Hurst, Corporal John Sharp, Aircraftman Joseph Smith and Aircraftman Roland Songhurst – all RAF, are buried in the CWGC Section at Queenstown.

One of the people who assisted to nurse Roland Songhurst before he passed away, was Nan McCoy from Port Elizabeth, who was on holiday with her parents at the Katberg Sanatorium / Hotel at the time. She witnessed the crash and she and others arrived at the crash site within minutes.

Correspondence between Nan McCoy and Roland’s parents in the aftermath of the crash are displayed with the paining as well as a letter to Roland’s father, Squadron Leader E. H. Songhurst RAF, from 42 Air School’s Commanding Officer, Group Captain F.S Stapleton CB DSO DFC, and another from O. Westley, Secretary of the Queenstown Cemetery.

The exhibit also displays a range of photos of Robert Songhurst and Nan McCoy.

At time of going to print, we are informed that Roland still has two surviving sisters – June aged 91 who lives in Canada near Toronto and Cynthia who lives near Reigate, Surrey aged 85.

The painting includes a plaque with the following inscription: “In Proud and Loving Memory of Roland H. Songhurst RAFVR Killed on Active Service on 6th February 1944, Aged 23. Donated by his Family.”

The painting and accompanying poster will be officially handed over during the course of this year.

Thanks and appreciation are extended to Robert and Elizabeth Ward for their concern to include the Avro Anson in the Museum and their generosity for commissioning the painting and framing.

Author: Don Bell

Avro Anson

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