The worst accident involving a Skyways group aircraft occurred on 2 February 1953. On that day a Skyways Ltd Avro 685 York 1 (registration: G-AHFA) operating the Terceira-Lajes Airport, Azores, Portugal, to Gander Airport, Newfoundland, Canada, sector of a Stansted-Kingstontrooping flight with 39 occupants (six crew and 33 passengers) was lost over the Atlantic Ocean without trace.
The last radio contact was a distress signal (SOS) received from the aircraft. The aircraft's last position was 46deg 15'N Long 46deg 31'W. The wreckage was never found.<SUP></SUP>This crash lost Skyways its trooping contract with the War Office. The cause of the accident was never discovered, nor were any bodies or wreckage recovered.
The following members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers regimental family perished on that day:
Baker
19115920 Cpl David Baker RWF aged 25. Born 1st December 1927 from Wrexham
David had served for 6 years. He was a keen footballer and had played for 1 RWF. Educated at Tanyfron and Brymbo, he had arrived home to Wrexham for 9 weeks leave in October 1952. He had been due to return to Jamaica in the December, but his flight had been cancelled. Subsequently, he continued working at Hightown Bks until he received orders to fly on the fateful flight. He left his home in Tanyfron for the last time on the 29th January. His parents received news of the crash via telegram a few days later.
Bayliss
4192966 Cpl Horace Bayliss REME aged 31. Born 16th April 1931 from Kidderminster, Worcs
Busst
21012006 Sgt Gwyn Jasper Busst RWF aged 31. Born 21 November 1921 from Kidwelly Carmarthen
Mrs G Busst
Master Colin Busst aged 3
Master Trevor Busst (baby)
Glaze
4210120 Cpl Sidney Glaze RWF aged 23. Born 9th February 1929 from Birmingham
James
Mrs Violet James
Jones
22649640 Fusilier William Aubrey Jones RWF aged 19. Born 29th January 1934 from Milford Haven
Platt
4210156 Bdsm Donald Owen Platt RWF aged 22. Born 8th September 1930 from Bradley Wrexham.
Mrs Della Platt(nee Tamblyn) aged 26 Of Wrexham
Miss Leslie Platt (daughter)
Bdsm Platt joined the regiment as a Band Boy when he was 16. At the time of his death he played clarinet with the 1st Battalion Band. His father had also served with the regiment and his uncle had been an RSM with the Royal Welch. Donald and Della had married in Wrexham on the 20th December 1952. They had known each other for 6 years. They had promised to cable their families on their safe arrival in Jamaica
Tierney
Mrs Margaret Tierney
Miss Linda Tierney aged 3
Master Dale Tierney (baby)
Vaughan
Mrs Moira Vaughan
Master Bernard Vaughan aged 2
A Regimental Memorial Service was held for the deceased in the Parish Church of St Giles, Wrexham, on the 22nd February 1953. The address was given by the Reverend JMN Davies, who had been the battalion's chaplain in Jamaica. The band of the 4th Battalion played for the service, and buglers sounded the Last Post and Reveille. After the latter, the Regimental flags at the church, outside the 4th Battalion Headquarters, and in the Depot, were raised from half-mast. A memorial service was also held in the garrison church, Kingston, Jamaica, attended by a large number of fusiliers.
