An unresolved remnant of New Zealand’s worst aviation disaster was brought to a conclusion today with the unveiling of a gravestone marking the resting place of a victim.
The breakthrough was made by a volunteer group called the NZ Remembrance Army, which maintained veterans graves around the country.
Last year, the Remembrance Army found an unmarked grave at Waikumete Cemetery in West Auckland. Research revealed it was the remains of Thomas William Noel Hyndman and his wife Shirley.
Among other achievements, navy veteran Thomas Hyndman was a sonar operator and part of a group trained in anti-submarine warfare in the Pacific, based in the Solomon Islands.
After further research, the Remembrance Army realised that Hyndman died on Air New Zealand TE109 in 1979.
November 28, 1979 was the darkest day in New Zealand aviation history when a sightseeing flight slammed into Mt Erebus on Ross Island, Antarctica, killing all 237 passengers and 20 crew on board.
His remains were recovered from the site and interred with those of his wife, who had died in June the year before.
After 45 years, the Hydmans’ grave was finally unveiled with a headstone on Saturday, with a military presence to recognise Thomas’ service.
Thomas’ son, Gary, 67, said he “hadn’t been one for memorials” in the past. “But I’ve probably changed my mind a little bit.” He said he now realised such a tragic loss as Erebus affected New Zealand as a nation.
Two police officers who were in Operation Overdue recovering remains from the icy landscape, Stuart Leighton and Peter Younger, were also at today’s memorial.
Thomas was the last person that was located in the wreckage, at the tail end of what was left of the plane.
The Defence Force was represented at the service by Captain Julie Simpkins, Commanding Officer of the HMNZS Philomel RNZN.
“It’s important we recognise and acknowledge our veterans,” she told 1News. “This an opportunity for us to do that.”
