Black Arrows c1960

[jackwood]

Hi all, Dave Wood here.

I've currently served 18 years in the RAF as a Ground Support Equipment Technician and Im trying to find some details about my late Great Cousin.
My Great cousin was Sqn Ldr Stanley "Timber" Wood and was Black Arrows Leader around the late 50's. He unfortunately died in a mid air collision during practice in 1960. He had only been married 6 months.
My father, Terry, would love to find where his official burial site is and pay his respects before its too late. If anyone knows any details at all, ie knew him personally or facts of the past, both my Father and I would love to hear from you.

Kind regards, Dave Wood.

[Wholigan]

He is mentioned in the first article and his picture is in the second article. The team at the time is named in the first article and some of those are still alive. If you are able to trace any of them they may have the information you seek.

Good luck!

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=36640&archive=true

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=36641&archive=true

[BOAC]

Thanks, Wholi, for the links - not seen them before. Small typo in link 1 where it should have been Brian Mercer but, hey - not bad for an American news item:) :)

Cannot let any formation team post go without this picture of 111 in 1957 (or was it 1958?- led by Roger Topp) setting what I believe is an unbroken record of looping 22 aircraft - and staying more or less in formation:) . (Picture courtesy my mates' web site)

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/images/22_hunt.jpg



Further pic courtesy of wikipedia of a somewhat immaculate 16-ship 111 formation at the Farnborough airshow - pre-photoshop.:ok:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Farnborough.hunters.arp.jpg/250px-Farnborough.hunters.arp.jpg

[Wholigan]

You may have better luck if you post this in the Mil forum.

[BillieBob]

Pete Latham, Roger Hymans and 'Oscar' Wild were all at Oxford some years ago - you might be able to track them down via Personnel or the pension fund manager

[jackwood]

Thanks ever so much to all who's replied or who has yet to reply:D . I will let my father know and we will take it from there. Thanks again.
Kind regards, Dave Wood.

[Kelt]

The Black Arrows were the official display team of 111 (Fighter) Squadron, who held their 89th anniversary dinner last week. The dinner was attended by a number of ex-Black Arrows, including Brian Mercer who wnet on to form the Blue Diamonds on 92 Squadron. If you wish to contact any ex-Black Arrows please feel free to write to the 111(F) sqn adjutant and we will try to make the connections. If you know any ex Black Arrows, or any other ex Tremblers, who are not in the association please invite them to get in touch as we are planning next years 90th anniversary already, and would love to have them along.

111(F) Sqn
RAF Leuchars
Fife

[9arrow]

I have joined the forum today and come across your posting. It may be that you have long since received a satisfactory answer to your request but in the possible case that you haven't let me give you the following information.

Your releative is buried in the grave yard at Ringshall church in Suffolk. This church is situated at the end of runway 23 at Wattisham and the stone has the addition "The Black Arrows". The grave yard has a special section for RAF personel and is easily found at the rear of the church.

Until the crash of two Migs at RIAT some years ago, the accident you refer to was the only plane I ever saw crash and details of this event in my life can be found under "Wattisham Chronicles" on the AirScene UK site at http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk.

[bobieg]

following the article on tv tonight about 111 black arrows i did a search and found this site. My name is Bob Green and Stan was my brother in law. Just to help prove it he married Stella Green in 1958 in Ipswich in October. He was in collision with Tom ? who was going to take his place at some time. Stella remarried and had a daughter, divorced and now is married again and lives in Norfolk. Has met Topp a few times around Norwich. I was in contact for a while (till the computer crashed) with ? oakenham? about 5 years ago, who looked after the aircraft. Found him as one of the pilots was known as Oakey or something like that, and thought that may be him, but it was just a similar name. We are going back to when i was 15, now 67.
Stan was burried at the local wattisham church at Ringshall, which i think is about 1 mile from Wattisham, and i can remember walking with a lot of other people from Wattisham to the church. hope this helps somhow. Regards Bob Green

[spekesoftly]

following the article on tv tonight about 111 black arrows

I missed it! Which tv channel ?

[forget]

BBC News - Labour of love as Hawker Hunter returns to Wattisham (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-12113650)

[AARON O'DICKYDIDO]

The following gen is from; AFM Start Page (http://www.veterans-uk.info/afm2/index.php)

Printable certificates are available from this site.


Surname WOOD
Forenames/Initials Stanley Wentworth
Rank Flt Lt
Service Royal Air Force
Service Number 2608981
Station RAF Wattisham
Date of Birth 07 January 1934
Age 26
Date of Death 10 June 1960
Cemetery Name St Catherine's Churchyard
Cemetery Address Ringshall, Stowmarket, Suffolk
Grave Number P 2
Included on Armed Forces Memorial Yes
Included on Roll of Honour Yes


I hope this helps.


Aaron

[Warmtoast]

As reported at the time:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r231/thawes/BlackArrowsCrash10thJune1960.jpg

[jackwood]

Sorry I've not visited for some time. Thanks for the additional replies. I will pass this onto my father. Thanks again.:ok: