Whether it's relaying his heartfelt poetry or telling a funny yarn, Ian Kirkpatrick is the ultimate raconteur.

The 91-year-old Ainslie resident may also be the last on-the-ground eyewitness to one of Canberra's biggest tragedies.

The recent 85 th anniversary of the Canberra air disaster sparked vivid memories for Mr Kirkpatrick.

He was just six and at school when an RAAF Lockheed Hudson crashlanded near the Canberra aerodrome on August 13, 1940. Ten people were killed including three federal ministers and the chief of the general staff.

On the morning of the air disaster, Mr Kirkpatrick's dad James was working as a mechanic at the Transport Depot at Kingston and went over to Telopea Park School to get young Ian out of class and drive over to the crash site.

His dad somehow tal

See Full Page