On the 5th of March 1957 a Blackburn Beverley C Mk 1 heavy transport aircraft took off from Abindon bound for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. It was carrying cargo, a relief crew, eight RAF police dog handlers and eight police dogs.
just after take off it developed a fuel leak and turned around to land
back at Abingdon. The plane lost height very quickly and tried to land
in a nearby field but hit some trees and a power line before hitting a
prefab house and a brick house killing two people it then somersaulted
bursting into flames and killing most on board scattering the wreckage
over three quarters of a mile including the police dogs. Two crew, two
passengers and one RAF Police dog survived. You can read about the Sutton Wick Air Crash in the link. I went along to visit the memorial after visiting nearby Drayton Church
The memorial on the green
The map shows the village before the plane crash in 1957, the Google earth shows the modern day area of the crash. I think the houses on the right hand side are built onthe cottage that the plane crashed into. The memorial is on the green triagle
The second map shows the cottages by the top of the S
The crew and passengers who were aboard the plane and died when it crashed were buried in two locations. Abingdon New Cemetery and Our Lady & St Edmund Church I disided to visit the tow places and get photos of the headstones I could find.
The first cemetery I visited was Abingdon New where I found the Commonwealth War graves amongst the other burials
Aircraftman R. Rose-Harvey
Aircraftman L.Corden
&
Aircraftman G.R.Croucher
Aircraftman C.J.Elsegood
Corporal J.L.Spole
&
Sergeant D.Robinson
They are buried near each other amond other RAF personel
Next I went along to Our Lady & St Thomas which is a short distance away. This is a catholic church so I can only presume this was the place they arns thier familys wanted them buried.
You can see the headstones as you walk in the chuchyard
Flight Lieutenant R.G.Wilcox
Flight Sergeant J.Zarecky
&
Aircraftsman R.Thorley
Aircraftsman R.Thorley
The three of them are buried near each other on the West end of the church near the road
Thomas Arnison Jones is Buried in Glossop Cemetery
This is the video of the unveiling of the memorial in which you can hear
a police dog howling, was he howling for his lost comrades? you tell me
but there must be something in it
We will remember them
...'Now Amongst The Stars,' that is a wonderful inscription! As I've said before, your military stones are beautiful. Thanks Bill.
ReplyDeleteUnusual but fitting
DeleteI hadn't heard of this crash - what a terribly sad incident. The wooden memorial board is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI was five or six at the time so would not have known much even if it was not far away. There have been a few air crashes around here I have found out about and am looking into
DeleteThis is all very moving. Thank you for sharing it, Bill.
ReplyDeleteIt is when you find the graves after being by the crash site
Deletei am curious what that item is in front of the grave stone that looks like a salt shaker? ... that is the best way i can describe it? so cool. ( ;
ReplyDeleteIt's a flower vase
DeleteGostei bastante desta reportagem.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom Domingo.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Interesting history.
ReplyDeleteImpressive.
ReplyDeleteThe Catholic church is Our Lady and St Edmund.
ReplyDeleteI know I wrote a blog on it as well https://thechurchexporer.blogspot.com/2018/03/our-lady-st-edmund-abingdon.html
DeleteY uncle -Thomas Jones - was amongst the victims of this accident. His grave can be found at Glossop cemetery, Derbyshire.
ReplyDelete