FED: Dead airman buried with full military honours

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-1999
FED: Dead airman buried with full military honours

By Gil Breitkreutz

IPSWICH, April 29 AAP - They put a tin of curry powder beside the coffin of Flight
Lieutenant "Shorty" Short today.

To the 600 mourners packing St Mary's Catholic Cathedral it was a poignant reminder of the
dead airman's exuberance for life in a sombre funeral service with full military honours.

Flt Lt Anthony Short, 31, was piloting an F-111 fighter bomber from Amberley's No 6
Squadron when it hit an island peak off the coast of Malaysia during military exercises 10
days ago.

The funeral of fellow crewman and navigator, Squadron Leader Stephen Hobbs, 33, was held in
Brisbane yesterday.

At the start of today's 90 minute full Requiem Mass, Flt.Lt Short's three children lit
candles to honour their father, while to the strains of Shorty's favourite tune, Billy Joel's
Lullaby, close family friends placed other memorabilia next to the flag draped coffin.

Besides the tin of curry powder - it was his favourite food - there was the telegram of
acceptance from the RAAF to young Shorty a decade and a half ago.

There was also his first football jersey and a football signed by members of the junior
Ipswich rugby league team Shorty coached.

Mourners were told of Flt Lt Short's devotion to his wife Kym and their three children, and
his love for the RAAF.

"The realisation of this tragic accident is still sinking in," the mourners were told.

A 21-gun salute echoed around the cathedral, a lone bugler sounded The Last Post and a
formation of three F-111s swooped low overhead as the coffin was placed in the waiting hearse.

Led by a guard of honour it was followed up the roadway by Flt Lt Short's widow, children
and immediate family members.

AAP geb/cfm/cjh

KEYWORD: F111 NIGHTLEAD

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