Victor/Canberra collision near Marham, 1968.
From North Norfolk News:
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Tribute to Holt air crash victim
20 August 2008
The cousin of a brave RAF man who lost his life in a horrific mid-air collision over Holt has said she fears his memory could be lost.
Forty years ago seven servicemen were killed as a thunderstorm raged and two RAF aeroplanes crashed 12,000ft above the north Norfolk town.
The servicemen's families marked the deaths of their loved ones with memorial services at the time.
But with the 40-year milestone of the tragic accident passing two days ago with no formal recognition, worries that the men would be forgotten were voiced by Pam Matthews, who said she had hoped the RAF would mark the occasion.
In the absence of a formal ceremony Mrs Matthews made a pilgrimage from her home in Milton Keynes, with mother, Molly Richardson, in memory of their family member, Roger Stanley Morton, who was killed in the air disaster.
On the significant anniversary they went to see the site of the crash and visited St Faith's crematorium near Norwich where a small memorial stands.
Mrs Matthews, who was 17 when her cousin was killed, decided to start researching the crash earlier this year. She said: “I thought that somebody ought to mark it so he was not forgotten.”
Flying officer Morton was one of four men in a fated Victor tanker which set off from RAF Marham on a practice flight on August 19, 1968.
The plane hit a thunderstorm at the same time as a Canberra bomber from RAF Bruggen, in Germany.
What was subsequently put down to a “freak accident” caused by the weather and a radar system unable to cope meant the two planes hit each other in the sky.
The last words radioed from the crew of the Victor XH646 were “I am at 13,500 feet and climbing”.
The EDP reported the proximity of the crash to the town, as wing sections, ejector seats and other debris from the plane landed in people's gardens and houses and witnesses saw a fireball in the sky.
One dead airman came from South Africa with others from Essex, Hertfordshire and Cornwall.
Mrs Matthews said that the day had been worthwhile and it meant a lot just to be there.
20 August 2008
The cousin of a brave RAF man who lost his life in a horrific mid-air collision over Holt has said she fears his memory could be lost.
Forty years ago seven servicemen were killed as a thunderstorm raged and two RAF aeroplanes crashed 12,000ft above the north Norfolk town.
The servicemen's families marked the deaths of their loved ones with memorial services at the time.
But with the 40-year milestone of the tragic accident passing two days ago with no formal recognition, worries that the men would be forgotten were voiced by Pam Matthews, who said she had hoped the RAF would mark the occasion.
In the absence of a formal ceremony Mrs Matthews made a pilgrimage from her home in Milton Keynes, with mother, Molly Richardson, in memory of their family member, Roger Stanley Morton, who was killed in the air disaster.
On the significant anniversary they went to see the site of the crash and visited St Faith's crematorium near Norwich where a small memorial stands.
Mrs Matthews, who was 17 when her cousin was killed, decided to start researching the crash earlier this year. She said: “I thought that somebody ought to mark it so he was not forgotten.”
Flying officer Morton was one of four men in a fated Victor tanker which set off from RAF Marham on a practice flight on August 19, 1968.
The plane hit a thunderstorm at the same time as a Canberra bomber from RAF Bruggen, in Germany.
What was subsequently put down to a “freak accident” caused by the weather and a radar system unable to cope meant the two planes hit each other in the sky.
The last words radioed from the crew of the Victor XH646 were “I am at 13,500 feet and climbing”.
The EDP reported the proximity of the crash to the town, as wing sections, ejector seats and other debris from the plane landed in people's gardens and houses and witnesses saw a fireball in the sky.
One dead airman came from South Africa with others from Essex, Hertfordshire and Cornwall.
Mrs Matthews said that the day had been worthwhile and it meant a lot just to be there.
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I lived near the West Beckham Radar Station at this time even though I was quite young at the time I can remember watching the peices come down God its seemed a life time in slow motion........
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Late entry - Through the eyes of a 10 year old boy.
There are some days that are never forgotten. Dates, unfortunately are - which is perhaps why many (including me) didn't realise that the 40th anniversary of this tragic accident had arrived (and passed).
At the time I was a 10 year old boy, on vacation at my grandparents’ house in Vale road, High Kelling.
I remember that it was a stormy night, although I have no recollection of a violent thunder storm at the time. There may have been thunder and lightning, but not enough to make it memorable to me as violent. I was in the kitchen of my grandparents’ house, when I saw the flash and illumination of the clouds, and then a huge clap of what I thought was thunder which shook the whole house. I saw the bright glow in the cloud start to drift downwards, and called to my grandmother that there was a lightning ball. She came and looked, along with the rest of the family and told me it wasn't lightning. It was something else. The "ball" split into two, a large main one drifting right toward Holt/Leatheringset and a much smaller one drifting left off toward Bodham. Neither was coming down vertically, although the smaller one did come down at less of an angle than the larger . My father, an RAF armourer, said it was an aircraft. We went to the front door of the house and watched as the aircraft came down. As the main ball hit the ground (blocked by trees from our view) I think there was another explosion, but this may be memory playing tricks on me. It was at this time that a sound which I can only describe now as metallic hailstones started to grow from nothing . My father reacted immediately and pushed us very quickly back into the house, as the "hailstones" increased in intensity to a deluge. I am sure I heard glass breaking, though it wasn't in my grandparents’ house. Bits of metal were hitting the walls and roof, and to this day I wonder that nobody on the ground was injured -there must have been other people watching from outside the safety of their walls. The time-line from the flash to the metal hail must have been very short, yet I remember it as lasting ages.
We were not allowed out that night, and the following morning when I was allowed out (under strict orders not to stray, and in retrospect after my father has ensured that the area was safe for a ten year old) an RAF team were in position on the corner of Vale road/Cromer Road coordinating the initial response. My brothers and I were told not to touch anything, but to inform the RAF team. This was the excuse I needed to "stray". A large flap was in the trees in a field right on the corner of Cromer Road and Selbrigg Road (along with two horses, which I remember as Dapple Grey and Horse Chestnut - probably due to their colour). Another large piece of one of the aircraft (a wing section from the PR I believe) was in a tree right next to the track from Bernard Road through to Bridge Close. Smaller pieces of wreckage were everywhere. We were still digging up pieces of the aircraft years later in the garden.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Please allow for the fact that I was only ten at the time, and that it was a very long time ago. I cannot guarantee that the account is accurate - only that it is what I remember. .[/FONT]
At the time I was a 10 year old boy, on vacation at my grandparents’ house in Vale road, High Kelling.
I remember that it was a stormy night, although I have no recollection of a violent thunder storm at the time. There may have been thunder and lightning, but not enough to make it memorable to me as violent. I was in the kitchen of my grandparents’ house, when I saw the flash and illumination of the clouds, and then a huge clap of what I thought was thunder which shook the whole house. I saw the bright glow in the cloud start to drift downwards, and called to my grandmother that there was a lightning ball. She came and looked, along with the rest of the family and told me it wasn't lightning. It was something else. The "ball" split into two, a large main one drifting right toward Holt/Leatheringset and a much smaller one drifting left off toward Bodham. Neither was coming down vertically, although the smaller one did come down at less of an angle than the larger . My father, an RAF armourer, said it was an aircraft. We went to the front door of the house and watched as the aircraft came down. As the main ball hit the ground (blocked by trees from our view) I think there was another explosion, but this may be memory playing tricks on me. It was at this time that a sound which I can only describe now as metallic hailstones started to grow from nothing . My father reacted immediately and pushed us very quickly back into the house, as the "hailstones" increased in intensity to a deluge. I am sure I heard glass breaking, though it wasn't in my grandparents’ house. Bits of metal were hitting the walls and roof, and to this day I wonder that nobody on the ground was injured -there must have been other people watching from outside the safety of their walls. The time-line from the flash to the metal hail must have been very short, yet I remember it as lasting ages.
We were not allowed out that night, and the following morning when I was allowed out (under strict orders not to stray, and in retrospect after my father has ensured that the area was safe for a ten year old) an RAF team were in position on the corner of Vale road/Cromer Road coordinating the initial response. My brothers and I were told not to touch anything, but to inform the RAF team. This was the excuse I needed to "stray". A large flap was in the trees in a field right on the corner of Cromer Road and Selbrigg Road (along with two horses, which I remember as Dapple Grey and Horse Chestnut - probably due to their colour). Another large piece of one of the aircraft (a wing section from the PR I believe) was in a tree right next to the track from Bernard Road through to Bridge Close. Smaller pieces of wreckage were everywhere. We were still digging up pieces of the aircraft years later in the garden.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Please allow for the fact that I was only ten at the time, and that it was a very long time ago. I cannot guarantee that the account is accurate - only that it is what I remember. .[/FONT]
Just come across this thread- I was on 360 at Watton at the time but in Devon on leave - I remember the accident well, as when I heard on BBC radio of the collision I naturally wondered if it was a Canberra from Watton, as our SID climbout and Marham's coincided, but at different heights. Also Rog Morton and I had both been on 22 Gnat course at Valley together. I recall him as a really nice guy. RIP
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Apologies for the intrusion on this thread as a civvy...just thought that I'd add that despite being born many years after this incident, I was often told about that awful night and how the sky lit up by my Dad. I'm a little perturbed that there is an impression that this incident is being forgotten. The people of N. Norfolk, particularly around the aread of Holt/Kelling etc have long memories and the story often appears in the local papers due to one reason or another. I hope that any relatives reading this thread will take some comfort in the fact that the memory of this tragic incident has certainly not dimmed and those involved are still remembered in these parts...
The grey cells are tingling. As I recall, the controller at Eastern was one of the new breed of direct entry Air Traffic Controllers (ie not hairy old ex-wartime aircrew). He was in his early 20s (same age as this then baby pilot) and was absolutely devastated by the accident, and I am not sure if he ever went back to controlling.
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Hello Dick, if you're still around PPRuNe. We have worked together in the past! Yes, we were part of that breed of "new entry" controllers - when I arrived at Eastern I only had 5 years under my belt, including 2 1/2 at Tengah [possibly the busiest RAF airfield at the time].
I arrived too late at Watton/Eastern Radar [early 1970] but the sad story was still current. As has been said, in various ways, the T82 radar didn't have the World's finest weather suppression, and the Midland Radar overhead was half-jokingly but seriously, an enormous obstacle to the provision of radar services. On a bad day, anyone trying to provide an Air Traffic Service from a T82 radar was up against the wall.
Add to that the complexity of ATC procedures in those days, where there were dozens of airfields with interlaced departure and recovery 'lanes' which vaguely offered some reassurance. It was a miracle, IMO, that such tragedies didn't happen more often.
Sadly, nothing is perfect.
I arrived too late at Watton/Eastern Radar [early 1970] but the sad story was still current. As has been said, in various ways, the T82 radar didn't have the World's finest weather suppression, and the Midland Radar overhead was half-jokingly but seriously, an enormous obstacle to the provision of radar services. On a bad day, anyone trying to provide an Air Traffic Service from a T82 radar was up against the wall.
Add to that the complexity of ATC procedures in those days, where there were dozens of airfields with interlaced departure and recovery 'lanes' which vaguely offered some reassurance. It was a miracle, IMO, that such tragedies didn't happen more often.
Sadly, nothing is perfect.
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Victor / Canberra collision, Holt, Norfolk. August 1968
Hello Everyone. I understand that this site and forum is open not only to Aircrew, but also to ground crew ( presumably including Erks and Sprogs. I happened on this site by accident, read every post about this event, and decided to chip in my tuppenceworth. Many of the posts on this subject seem to be accurate and technically correct, although the odd one or two seem to be comprised of ill-qualified conjecture, supposition, and inaccuracies.
For what it's worth, in August 1968, I was a lowly SAC Mechanic ( Airframes ) attached to MEAS ( Mechanical Engineering Aircraft Squadron, at RAF Marham.
I had carried out work personally on the Victor 646, mostly light servicing, skin repairs, undercarriage work, PFCU installation and removal, and had the priviledge of being "Hangar Pilot" in my section.
Reporting for duty on the morning after the collision, ( we had all heard rumours and chit-chat about the event during the night ), we were aware of a mad mad scrambling of servicing personel, checking out Form 700s and servicing paperwork associated with 646. Quite understandable I suppose, but also astonishing in the way that there seemed to a scrambling all the way to the top to mke sure there was no "buck" coming our way.
Soon after shift commencement, several of us were issued with lunch packs, loaded on to a bus and shipped over to the Forest at Holt. I think I can recall a NAFFI wagon eventually turning up at the site we were at. We were split into teams of 3 or 4 and basically told to head off in various directions. Our mandate was to search out and identify anything that might be connected with the collision. We were NOT to touch anything, but had to call an NCO should we see anything.
We were there most of the day, and I remember sitting in one of a number of old brick structures, waiting for further instructions. In a room next to us lay several large polythene bags, in which we all "knew" were contents which we all did not want to look at.
We had been told that one of ours ( 646 was a tanker with either 214 Squadron or TTF, had been hit under its port wing by a climbing Canberra on a "Nightex" from Bruggen and that the cause had been due to an error by a controller at RAF North Luffenham. I don't say all this is fact, but this is what we were told.
I was 22 at the time. I'm now going on 69. I remember one or two of the Victor crew ( although not personally - Commissioned and Other Ranks and all that ). I will always remember the sadness and desperation we all felt, and the way in which we all conducted ourselves during the following days.
So so sad. I still recall every moment of that day, 46 years on.
I just wanted to share this with anyone who was interested. Thank you/
For what it's worth, in August 1968, I was a lowly SAC Mechanic ( Airframes ) attached to MEAS ( Mechanical Engineering Aircraft Squadron, at RAF Marham.
I had carried out work personally on the Victor 646, mostly light servicing, skin repairs, undercarriage work, PFCU installation and removal, and had the priviledge of being "Hangar Pilot" in my section.
Reporting for duty on the morning after the collision, ( we had all heard rumours and chit-chat about the event during the night ), we were aware of a mad mad scrambling of servicing personel, checking out Form 700s and servicing paperwork associated with 646. Quite understandable I suppose, but also astonishing in the way that there seemed to a scrambling all the way to the top to mke sure there was no "buck" coming our way.
Soon after shift commencement, several of us were issued with lunch packs, loaded on to a bus and shipped over to the Forest at Holt. I think I can recall a NAFFI wagon eventually turning up at the site we were at. We were split into teams of 3 or 4 and basically told to head off in various directions. Our mandate was to search out and identify anything that might be connected with the collision. We were NOT to touch anything, but had to call an NCO should we see anything.
We were there most of the day, and I remember sitting in one of a number of old brick structures, waiting for further instructions. In a room next to us lay several large polythene bags, in which we all "knew" were contents which we all did not want to look at.
We had been told that one of ours ( 646 was a tanker with either 214 Squadron or TTF, had been hit under its port wing by a climbing Canberra on a "Nightex" from Bruggen and that the cause had been due to an error by a controller at RAF North Luffenham. I don't say all this is fact, but this is what we were told.
I was 22 at the time. I'm now going on 69. I remember one or two of the Victor crew ( although not personally - Commissioned and Other Ranks and all that ). I will always remember the sadness and desperation we all felt, and the way in which we all conducted ourselves during the following days.
So so sad. I still recall every moment of that day, 46 years on.
I just wanted to share this with anyone who was interested. Thank you/
Thanks for the input Ancient Sprog. I was on 214 from 1971-77, and the accident was still talked about by some of the older hands who had been around in 1968. It has just occurred to me, as far as I know the only other fatal accident which befell a Victor K1 was also a mid-air, the one which was struck by a Buccaneer during AAR training.
I was on the late shift in ATC as an assistant at the time of this accident. The aeroplane left Marham with I think four crew and I knew the Captain Flt Lt Ted Gallienne and the Co Pilot Flt.Lt Roger Morton quite well.
Roger might have been a Flying Officer but makes no difference. Before remustering to Aircrew, I spent about 30 or so trips - when ever there was a spare seat on the radar or on the 6th seat to give me some sort of idea about what I was letting myself in for. On a previous trip I had a 6th seat ride with Flt.Lt Gallienne which was an Astro Navex and I spent quite a time sitting in the door on my PSP .
The next trip (I think it was a TTF trip) the door blew open and they lost a few bits and peices such as Nav Bags.
On the evening in August, I was in Approach Control and talking to my counterpart in Midland along the lines of this aeroplane had just called for taxy and would be a handover in the next 5 to 10 mins and he in turn alerted his controller to get ready. We had Decca AR1 radar at Marham which had rainplates fitted but I don't know how ATC Marham fared compared with North Luffenham's or Watton's type 82 re the weather to the north and east. The aeroplane rolled from rw 24 , and turned right towards the NE and the last thing the controller in Marham (Flt Lt Dower) said was "Contact Midland on Stud xx" to which Flt Lt Gallienne acknowledged the instruction.
I was also duty driver in the tower and all the other guys were already in the Land Rover ready to go over to the Airmens Mess for Supper. As we passed 24 threshold and reached the Burmah Road the sky lit up bright orange and I had a rough idea what caused it so I turned the rover around and returned to the tower, simultaneously contacting Crash 1, 5, and 6 (also en route to supper)to return to their section. The local controller in ATC also then came on the Pye radio and gave similar instructions to mine.
When I got back into Approach Control I reminded Flt.Lt. Dower, who was extremely busy fielding questions on our switchboard, to ask Ground Radio to change the MARS (voice) tapes and impound the active tapes but I think J/T called Geoff had it all sorted.
I cannot remember if all the fire section went to Holt or not, but it meant Marham was no longer active with no fire cover. I remember fielding questions from the Norfolk Fire services but in all honesty, initially we were totally in the dark about the incident until it became clearer that Eastern had also lost a Canberra which was climbing out of Wainfleet. I think the Canberra had three crew.
One thing the 'on duty' controller told me to do was ring my home and tell my parents I was not involved as the Co Pilot and me shared the same surname.
(sometimes our mail used to get mixed up if there was no rank on the envelope)
The whole station was totally stunned and recall a lot of people were immediately sent to Holt from both Marham and West Raynham.
Those are my recollections of that night.
I'm not sure blame was apportioned to the controllers on duty that night but it all seems so long ago now.
I left Marham shortly after, and was posted to AE and AES Topcliffe.
Roger might have been a Flying Officer but makes no difference. Before remustering to Aircrew, I spent about 30 or so trips - when ever there was a spare seat on the radar or on the 6th seat to give me some sort of idea about what I was letting myself in for. On a previous trip I had a 6th seat ride with Flt.Lt Gallienne which was an Astro Navex and I spent quite a time sitting in the door on my PSP .
The next trip (I think it was a TTF trip) the door blew open and they lost a few bits and peices such as Nav Bags.
On the evening in August, I was in Approach Control and talking to my counterpart in Midland along the lines of this aeroplane had just called for taxy and would be a handover in the next 5 to 10 mins and he in turn alerted his controller to get ready. We had Decca AR1 radar at Marham which had rainplates fitted but I don't know how ATC Marham fared compared with North Luffenham's or Watton's type 82 re the weather to the north and east. The aeroplane rolled from rw 24 , and turned right towards the NE and the last thing the controller in Marham (Flt Lt Dower) said was "Contact Midland on Stud xx" to which Flt Lt Gallienne acknowledged the instruction.
I was also duty driver in the tower and all the other guys were already in the Land Rover ready to go over to the Airmens Mess for Supper. As we passed 24 threshold and reached the Burmah Road the sky lit up bright orange and I had a rough idea what caused it so I turned the rover around and returned to the tower, simultaneously contacting Crash 1, 5, and 6 (also en route to supper)to return to their section. The local controller in ATC also then came on the Pye radio and gave similar instructions to mine.
When I got back into Approach Control I reminded Flt.Lt. Dower, who was extremely busy fielding questions on our switchboard, to ask Ground Radio to change the MARS (voice) tapes and impound the active tapes but I think J/T called Geoff had it all sorted.
I cannot remember if all the fire section went to Holt or not, but it meant Marham was no longer active with no fire cover. I remember fielding questions from the Norfolk Fire services but in all honesty, initially we were totally in the dark about the incident until it became clearer that Eastern had also lost a Canberra which was climbing out of Wainfleet. I think the Canberra had three crew.
One thing the 'on duty' controller told me to do was ring my home and tell my parents I was not involved as the Co Pilot and me shared the same surname.
(sometimes our mail used to get mixed up if there was no rank on the envelope)
The whole station was totally stunned and recall a lot of people were immediately sent to Holt from both Marham and West Raynham.
Those are my recollections of that night.
I'm not sure blame was apportioned to the controllers on duty that night but it all seems so long ago now.
I left Marham shortly after, and was posted to AE and AES Topcliffe.
Last edited by 5aday; 7th Nov 2014 at 17:35.
Amazing and tragic story
I have lived in north Norfolk most of my life (age now 50) And after 23 years in RAF find It hard to believe I have never heard of this (possibly read in air clues and then forgotten? Age thing again)
I currently work in the area and will be asking anybody over 60 of their memories of that night and will report back
I have lived in north Norfolk most of my life (age now 50) And after 23 years in RAF find It hard to believe I have never heard of this (possibly read in air clues and then forgotten? Age thing again)
I currently work in the area and will be asking anybody over 60 of their memories of that night and will report back
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Thank you JENKINS and hoodie.
Between 1964 to 1967 I was the 213 Squadron Cpl Squipper (Flying Clothing) at RAF Bruggen so I had been very well acquainted with the Canberra crew.
Whilst on a recent holiday in Norfolk I visited Holt as I had been told that a memorial existed but I could not find anybody that knew of its location or if in fact there was one.
The next time that I visit Holt I will be going to visit the church to pay my respects.
Between 1964 to 1967 I was the 213 Squadron Cpl Squipper (Flying Clothing) at RAF Bruggen so I had been very well acquainted with the Canberra crew.
Whilst on a recent holiday in Norfolk I visited Holt as I had been told that a memorial existed but I could not find anybody that knew of its location or if in fact there was one.
The next time that I visit Holt I will be going to visit the church to pay my respects.
Hansard 11Jun69:
CANBERRA/VICTOR AIRCRAFT COLLISION (Hansard, 11 June 1969)
CANBERRA/VICTOR AIRCRAFT COLLISION (Hansard, 11 June 1969)
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Victor / Canberra collision
I served at Linton-0n-Ouse with the Eastern Radar controller who was involved in this incident, so he certainly returned to controlling duties and as far as I am aware neither controller was blamed for the collision - they both did the best they could in impossible circumstances. However, the Eastern Radar controller later left the RAF in rather unusual circumstances, after serving at RAF West Drayton, but that's another story.
As has already been stated, back then given the very poor quality of the T82 radar during periods of bad weather, and the number of active airfields in the area, the only surprise is that there were not more collisions like this over East Anglia. The people who really should have been taken to task for the collision were the individuals who agreed that the T82 radar, without decent weather surpression, was suitable for an air traffic control task in the crowded skys of the 1970s and the poor weather that's so typical of the UK.
Matoman
As has already been stated, back then given the very poor quality of the T82 radar during periods of bad weather, and the number of active airfields in the area, the only surprise is that there were not more collisions like this over East Anglia. The people who really should have been taken to task for the collision were the individuals who agreed that the T82 radar, without decent weather surpression, was suitable for an air traffic control task in the crowded skys of the 1970s and the poor weather that's so typical of the UK.
Matoman
Victor/Canberra accident
I was on 214 Squadron at the time, and knew Roger Morton and Ken Peacock very well. We had been on the same OCU Course prior to becoming the first two crews on the Squadron. I joined the Squadron on 8 Aug 66, they joined a couple of weeks later. The squadron had no aircraft or groundcrew at the time.
Until a few days before the accident my wife and I had been staying with the Peacocks, as we had returned from honeymoon to find the house we were having built was not ready. We were invited to stay with them. We had moved out a few days before the accident.
I also knew Jack Slabber and his crew from when I held at Bassingborne in March/April 66 prior to joining the Victor Course.
On the night of the accident I was guesting with another crew, due to depart at a similar time to XH646, and met most of their crew in Flight Planning. There had been a screw up by the Squadron Planners, and the AEO planned for their flight was on leave. The only AEO who could be found was Sqn Ldr Doyle who had joined the Squadron that morning. There was only one Nav on the flight as it was a Left Hand Seat Conversion sortie for Roger, with Bill Gallienne as TTF Instructor. We departed leaving them still waiting for the AEO. They took off about two hours late. The weather was poor with CBs all over the place.
Half way through our sortie we heard chatter on 243 between the rescue helicopter and the RCC. The helo had found the crash site and could see wreckage of a 4 engined aircraft, which he identified as a Vulcan. He then had to make an emergency landing so we heard no more. As it was in the Marham climb out lane we thought it was probably a Victor. Also that night the other two members of my rear crew were guesting in another aircraft, and the co-pilot in yet another. So, I was pretty sure that some of my normal crew were involved. The Captain was Duty Pilot.
When we landed we went to Ops to find the Squadron Commander, OC Ops Wing and the Station Commander in their No 1s. They would not confirm which crew it was, but told us is was one of ours. We were instructed to go home and not tell anybody (wives included) anything about it.
A few days later my wife was having a cup of tea with Dil Peacock, when she received her notice of eviction from the MQ, as "No longer entitled". Dont you just love Scribblies sometimes!!!
Roger was a keen rally driver, and being driven around the winding Norfolk lanes was quite an experience!!
If memory serves me correctly, Bill Gallienne and some (all?) of the crew are buried in the graveyard at Marham Parish Church.
Until a few days before the accident my wife and I had been staying with the Peacocks, as we had returned from honeymoon to find the house we were having built was not ready. We were invited to stay with them. We had moved out a few days before the accident.
I also knew Jack Slabber and his crew from when I held at Bassingborne in March/April 66 prior to joining the Victor Course.
On the night of the accident I was guesting with another crew, due to depart at a similar time to XH646, and met most of their crew in Flight Planning. There had been a screw up by the Squadron Planners, and the AEO planned for their flight was on leave. The only AEO who could be found was Sqn Ldr Doyle who had joined the Squadron that morning. There was only one Nav on the flight as it was a Left Hand Seat Conversion sortie for Roger, with Bill Gallienne as TTF Instructor. We departed leaving them still waiting for the AEO. They took off about two hours late. The weather was poor with CBs all over the place.
Half way through our sortie we heard chatter on 243 between the rescue helicopter and the RCC. The helo had found the crash site and could see wreckage of a 4 engined aircraft, which he identified as a Vulcan. He then had to make an emergency landing so we heard no more. As it was in the Marham climb out lane we thought it was probably a Victor. Also that night the other two members of my rear crew were guesting in another aircraft, and the co-pilot in yet another. So, I was pretty sure that some of my normal crew were involved. The Captain was Duty Pilot.
When we landed we went to Ops to find the Squadron Commander, OC Ops Wing and the Station Commander in their No 1s. They would not confirm which crew it was, but told us is was one of ours. We were instructed to go home and not tell anybody (wives included) anything about it.
A few days later my wife was having a cup of tea with Dil Peacock, when she received her notice of eviction from the MQ, as "No longer entitled". Dont you just love Scribblies sometimes!!!
Roger was a keen rally driver, and being driven around the winding Norfolk lanes was quite an experience!!
If memory serves me correctly, Bill Gallienne and some (all?) of the crew are buried in the graveyard at Marham Parish Church.
I also was at Marham working in MEAS as a freshly minted JT from Halton. From inside the NAAFI I'd heard an enormous bang but wasn't aware what it was or that it was one of our aircraft until the following morning when we were drafted as a search party.
We were shipped out and based at Holt Hall, which I believe was a boarding school at the time, where a temporary morgue was set up in one of the out buildings. We were sent off into the fields and woods to look for aircraft parts and particularly any documentation, I found neither.
Later, I was also part of the Guard Of Honour for some of the crew at Norwich Crematorium. Many years later, when at the Crematorium, I came across a plaque on on of the exterior walls with names of some of the crew, I'm sure Sqn Ldr Gallienne was one of these.
We were shipped out and based at Holt Hall, which I believe was a boarding school at the time, where a temporary morgue was set up in one of the out buildings. We were sent off into the fields and woods to look for aircraft parts and particularly any documentation, I found neither.
Later, I was also part of the Guard Of Honour for some of the crew at Norwich Crematorium. Many years later, when at the Crematorium, I came across a plaque on on of the exterior walls with names of some of the crew, I'm sure Sqn Ldr Gallienne was one of these.
I only found out about it, from Bill Cousins, our Batman, the following morning. Terrible atmosphere in the Mess at breakfast. I must know you , Tengah Type, but cannot place you unless you were ex 45 Sqn?