Honouring the Brave: A Tribute to Australia’s Fallen Airmen at Beechwood Cemetery

Today, under a soft November sky at Beechwood Cemetery, we gathered for the Australian Remembrance Ceremony, a solemn tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of two young Australian airmen who gave their lives on Canadian soil during World War II.

The Honourable Scott Ryan, Australia’s High Commissioner to Canada, led the tribute alongside the Australian Defence Team to Canada, laying a wreath at the headstones of Leading Aircraftman Douglas Mervyn Lord and Leading Aircraftman Harry William Long, both members of the Royal Australian Air Force who perished while training in Ottawa.

• Douglas Mervyn Lord, born in 1919 to G. W. Lord of Melbourne, came to Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which brought airmen from across the Commonwealth to train in the skies above Ottawa. At just 22 years old, Lord was undergoing pilot training at Uplands Airport when tragedy struck. On May 6, 1941, his training aircraft crashed into a nearby field, killing both him and Flying Officer Bennett L. Duffey. This accident marked the second fatal training incident in as many days, underscoring the dangers that young men like Lord faced even before reaching the front lines.
• Harry William Long, born in 1921, was also drawn from Australia’s vast landscapes to the skies over Canada. Enlisting with the Royal Australian Air Force, Long's training ended in a similarly tragic way. On August 15, 1941, at just 20 years old, Long was in a Harvard trainer aircraft that crashed at Black Rapids, claiming his life. These young airmen died far from home but have since been forever honored and remembered here in Canada.

The ceremony today (November 5th 2024) was steeped in tradition and solemnity, with military personnel, veterans, and guests joining in a shared act of remembrance. The Australian Defence Team to Canada participated in the ceremony, emphasizing the strong ties and mutual respect between our nations.

The event included a reading of The Fallen, a poignant poem that resonates deeply on days like these. Known to many by its fourth stanza—“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…”—the full poem reminds us of the eternal significance of these sacrifices and of the commitment we must carry forward in their honour.

As High Commissioner Ryan and the Australian Defence Team laid the wreath, the moment of silence that followed allowed each of us to reflect on the enduring bond between Canada and Australia, strengthened through shared sacrifice and dedication to a common cause.

The event was a testament to remembrance that transcends borders, reminding us all of the young lives, the hopes, and the futures given in the name of peace.

At Beechwood, where Lord and Long now rest, their legacy remains a part of the Canadian and Australian story, forever reminding us of the courage and resilience of those who served.