The Skyways Crash 1953

[ap1]

Following on from the Bill Tierney thread elsewhere in the forum. The Skyways aircrash of 1953 and the loss of 18 members of the regimental family has been brought sharply into focus.

It's occurred to me that until I read about it in Regimental Records 1946-1969, I had no knowledge of the incident. Over 24yrs from 1977, I don't ever remember it being mentioned at Church parades or Padres hour. When you consider it is the largest loss of life the regiment suffered since World War 2, it makes it even more poignant. Its fade from memory within the collective regimental family is possibly due to the high turnover of men during the 1950's, with national service, and all the other pressures, I appreciate that those guys and their families who served at the time will have always remembered them, but the larger regimental family may not have. I would be interested in hearing other members recollections.

I intend to place the names of those killed within The Fallen. However I would like to find out if there a permanent memorial within the UK to these victims. If so, where is it? If anyone could tell me I would be extremely grateful.

Bearing in mind the bodies were never recovered, i would like to think that somewhere there is a memorial to them. After all, if it was a soldier, who's remains were missing since WW2, his or her name would appear on a local war memorial or on the Armed forces Memorial in Staffordshire. Indeed the men are on the Memoriam's Roll of Honour

[bennyball2]

Hi Al just found this site that has a memorial to the crash victims:

http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/New%20Foundland.htm

Hope it helps

[ap1]

Hi Al just found this site that has a memorial to the crash victims:

http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/New%20Foundland.htm

Hope it helps


Big time...Many thanks Carl, it adds more detail, not covered in Regimental Records

[Keith Jones 989]

Interesting follow-up, Al. I knew of the loss of regimental families because of an aircrash in the early 1950's but could never find out anything about it.

Only recently, after Christmas, while chatting to the steward of my local club (membership drinking establishment where my tipple is still only GBP1.40 a pint!) I discovered that he lost his father - a previous Army boxing champion in the Royal Pioneer Corps - in a similar air crash - same make and model of aircraft - around the same time, although his father had left the Army by the time he was killed. Eventually discovered the keyword 'Skyways' (the name of the airline) from a family website set up by distant relatives my steward friend didn't know he had, in Australia, and it all started to come together. It is a very small world and coincidence is a wonderful thing.

The aeroplane (type) was grounded after the second incident and, I believe, never flew again.

A very sad story, all the same.

Have a look here:

http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/New%20Foundland.htm

[ap1]

Looking at the Palace Memorial site that Benny 2 highlighted. There was a similar crash off Malta in 1956.

[jungle1810]

Hello Al,
There is a book of remembrance to the victims of the plane that crashed on its way to Jamaica in the garrison church at the bottom of Up Park camp. This was not placed in the church until 1993 (February) When some 58 former 1st Battalion members and their wives had a reunion in Jamaica to present and sign this book of remembrance and it was dedicated to the lost souls on this plane, this is the only such book I know of.Some myths are attached to this flight. I have heard a view expressed that it crashed in the Bermuda triangle. In fact it crashed off Newfoundland, far from the triangle. This particular type of plane had a lot of trouble inasmuch as the fuel was pumped and stored into tanks in the wings. The most frightening part was taking off in these planes. It was not until a lot of fuel was used they became a little more stable, not much.This flight to the best of my knowledge had tried to take off twice from Iceland but had to have running repairs done at least twice it then took off. With the unfortunate result that we are now talking about. I have the official air traffic report on it but it is packed away as I am expecting to move soon??? To cut a long story short the report blamed human error for the crash that lost all aboard it.the trip for the Jamaica visit was run by Sjt Bill Horton under the auspices of the 45 to 54 band boys association.
Regards Don

[ap1]

Thanks Don,

I can assume that you have no knowledge of any memorial plaque or similar within the UK. Perhaps Glyn Hughes, who I know is involved in work on the regimental chapel at St Giles Wrexham, can indicate if there is anything there.

It just doesn't seem right that the victims have no physical location of rememberence. In regimental records some of the wives are only known by their husbands initials. That is no criticism of the compiliers, but perhaps an indication of how the information has been lost over the intervening years.

I'm hoping someone further up the regimental chain will pick up on this thread, and investigate it further. Bob will shortly be posting the list of deceased as we know it. We would be asking members to assist in updating that.

[ap1]

Bob has now listed the missing within The Fallen.

We would also like to identify the full name's of two of the wives, the details are as follows:

1. Mrs Busst. She was married to Sgt Gwyn Busst. He originated from Kidwelly Camarthen

2. We would also like to know who Mrs Violet James was married to.

If any member living in either West Wales area who has access to their local library or museum, could check the newspaper archive for the week of the 2nd February 1953. Its possible their full names may have appeared in the local paper alongside that of their husband.

Thanks

[ap1]

I'm now starting to put faces and full names to some of the victims.


Bdsm Donald Platt RWF and his wife Della Platt(nee Tamblyn) both of Wrexham:


http://rwf-forum.co.uk/gallery/files/3/SCAN0071-Copy2.jpg



Cpl David Baker RWF also from Wrexham:


http://rwf-forum.co.uk/gallery/files/3/SCAN0071-Copy_842144.jpg

[Glyn Hughes 17]

As a self-appointed verger of the Regimental Chapel, I will follow up and find out if there is a Memorial Plaque at the Regimental Chapel in St Giles Wrexham and report back on this forum.
Regards Glyn

[ap1]

As a self-appointed verger of the Regimental Chapel, I will follow up and find out if there is a Memorial Plaque at the Regimental Chapel in St Giles Wrexham and report back on this forum.
Regards Glyn

Thank you Glyn, all I need now is a willing volunteer(s) to pick up the threads in West Wales. I visited Wrexham Museum yesterday, and the crash was reported in detail in the local paper The Wrexham Leader dated 6th Feb, 4 days after the crash. I was able to obtain pen pictures on all the Wrexham victims. Therefore it follows that the West Wales regional papers would have also published details of their local victims. The whole task took about 30 mins

The Busst Family from Kidwelly and William Jones from Milford Haven, Any takers?

In addition Cpl Sidney Glaze came from the Birmingham area, The Express and Star may have carried it. Any volunteers for that one.

[TRAV 24]

The Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal are part of the group i work for will do some digging ref the Busst family Kidwelly

[Scouse75]

Al, much appreciated that you are getting your teeth stuck into this very worthwhile topic. I find it amazing that so many of us had never heard the incident mentioned prior to this post.

[Glyn Hughes 17]

I had the pleasure and privilege to serve with Cpl Vaughan (husband of moiré and father Master Bernard) in the 1st Bn RWF at Carter Barracks Bulford in January 1960. Cpl Vaughan was in HQ Coy, I think in the MT Pl. He was a tall person and as a young man, had a full head of white hair. As young Fus’s we all had knowledge of the Plane Crash, and it was understood that Cpl Vaughan hair turned white resulting from the shock of the loss of his family.
On leaving Army he settled in Rhuddlan North Wales, and was employed with JTR at Kinmel Camp as a driver.
I think that Mrs Violet James was the wife of the late Ron James a native of South Wales. On leaving the Army he settled in Johnstown Nr Wrexham, he now is at rest in Rhos Cemetery.
Regards Glyn

[ap1]

The Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal are part of the group i work for will do some digging ref the Busst family Kidwelly

Cheers Bri, hopefully some others will also offer up to assist?

[ap1]

I've received an email today from Lt Col Sinnett, he has confirmed that he has the details of all the victims within his private archive. He has offered to pass on all the details, so hopefully all the information on the memoriam will be updated shortly.

Thanks to Bri Travis, who made enquires at the Evening Post in West Wales. We now also have a local reporter who is interested in the story. This may prove to be useful.

In addition a supporter of the site has agreed to bring to the attention of the RWF Museum Trustees, the situation regarding the lack of any permanent memorial to those wives and children who so tragically died in the crash. So our job is done at this stage.

[Glyn Hughes 17]

Plane Crash Memorial Plaque.
I can confirm that there is N0 Memorial Plaque at the Regimental Chapel, or within the body of St Giles Church.
Regards Glyn

[ap1]

Plane Crash Memorial Plaque.
I can confirm that there is N0 Memorial Plaque at the Regimental Chapel, or within the body of St Giles Church.
Regards Glyn

Thank you Glyn, it was very kind of you to check. Hopefully this anomaly will be rectified in the future