In Biggles in Australia, Johnny Bates was an Australian policeman in the Northern Territory. Bates had pursued a suspect from a knifing incident into the bush for more than a week. When Cozens, Ginger and Bertie decided to fly to Daly Flats, the traffic manager at Darwin Airport asked Cozens to tell Bates, if they saw him, that his sick wife was much better.
When Cozens, Ginger and Bertie arrived at Daly Flats, they found Bates' body. He had apparently been shot in the head. Who shot him was never discovered.