Top West 50

Yes I was on the Fighting 45th from Oct 63 to Dec 65.

Is your " Name " your old room number at Marham? I hope you were not involved in the " Great West Wing Scandal ", if so how many extra OO Duties did you get?

Yes, opposite Bob Ferrier but not involved. Tried to get a ticket for the court martial but it was a sell out!

The Squadron history of 213 Sqdn. .. "The Hornet Strikes".. gives the the names of the crew of the Canberra B(I)6 as Flt.Lt. J. Slabber, Fg.Off. S.Cowie and Fg.Off.J.H.Woolnough.
The aircraft was, as someone has stated, engaged in a "Salmond Trophy" sortie and was climbing away from the range at Wainfleet.
The loss of WT 325 and WT 313 being assessed as Cat.5 due to airframe fatigue resulted in the Squadron being reduced to a complement of only eleven aircraft but with a complement of 18 pilots and crews.
The Squadron disbanded on 31st. December 1969.

Remembrance
 

Hi all,
Please forgive my ramblings, however, I wanted to share this with you, I do trust you don't mind?

This story has fascinated me from the very start! I was 2 years old when this tragedy took place! It is also poignant that it has been resurrected during remembrance week from the original posting some years ago!


How it has unfolded as people connected to the incident either directly or indirectly have pitched up on the thread and added their recollections has been gripping! There are many bad things about the internet and we have all had a lump in our throats recently as we have had to endure the knowledge that hideous crimes had been carried out in far away places and uploaded to be watched by anyone on youtube. However, a real plus side to the 'net' is the ability to bring people together whom without it, would have no way whatsoever of ever finding others similarly connected to an event and thus able to share their thoughts and/or feelings!


Reading the vivid and often emotional recollections of people here has been very moving! Young lads on ATC camp, radar operators, air crew who knew the crews involved, civilians caught up just being there at the time etc... There is no doubt, the crash affected many many people!

It became apparent a number of posters had mentioned a memorial or lack of knowing there was one in Holt! It struck me, as I'm sure everyone would agree, it is important to acknowledge events such as these, for as time perhaps heals as people say, so does it fade memories! A permanent memorial allows us to never forget and equally, a place to go and be with our own thoughts

As I read on I noticed a South African was the Pilot of the Canberra, Flt Lt Johan Slabber. I do spend time in the land of the Springbok (don't mention the rugby :() so it added an extra dimension of interest to me! I looked a little further and found Johan Slabber was from Cape Town and was buried in the Southern Suburbs of the City!
As more people posted their memories, the more the story became personal and the urge to visit his grave became stronger!

I've flown out of Marham and Bruggen in my time and now this young man of only 25 was at rest 6000 miles from where he died in my home land! Also, as I was away from home for remembrance Sunday and didn't get to attend a service, I thought it would be nice to try and find Flt Lt Slabber's grave and to pay my respects that way and ultimately as a gesture to all South Africans who have given their lives in service with our Country! I had to try and do this!

I have one single poppy that I keep in SA. You can't get them over here (or I have never seen them), so if I am in SA around this time of year I can wear my poppy with pride! I thought I could place that on his grave if I could find it?

Anyway, after a long search today, I finally found it and it was with great pride and respect I was able to place my poppy on Flt Lt Slabber's grave and say a few simple words of thanks!

I took a few photos as I wanted to share this with some of the posters who have mentioned they knew Johan (and perhaps for his family too) and to assure them, the graves of the men laying here have been kept immaculate! There are a lot of things wrong in SA today but it was a real pleasure to see the military section of the cemetery kept so beautifully well

As a funny note, it was very windy today and just leaving my poppy would have been futile! I left the cemetery with the idea to go buy some tape to fix the poppy to his headstone however, I felt that disrespectful so had the bright idea to manufacture a cross and fix my poppy to that!

Job done so I set off back to the cemetery again and got there late afternoon just as the sprinklers had been activated in the military gardens! Having to tactically manoeuvre and run the gauntlet to pay my respects without getting soaked must have looked very strange to the few people around but how impressive to have sprinklers to keep the grass so well kept!

As mentioned, my humble apologies for rambling on however, I am so glad I got to do this and wanted to share it with all of you who have in one way or another, had their lives affected by this sad event.

RIP to all of the men who died that night you are not forgotten
AB

http://www.avcollect.com/southafrica...slabber02a.jpg


http://www.avcollect.com/southafrica...slabber01a.jpg

Was an ATC cadet with Stu Cowie (152 City of Hull squadron) RIP

Thanks for your efforts Snapshot. Very poignant for me.

My late father, James Bolton King used to tell me about this very tragic event. He was good friends with Roger Morton, I believe they did their flight training together and were both based at Marham at the time.

Victor / Canberra collision, Holt, Norfolk. August 1968
 

Hello RFCC,
If you were a JT in MEAS at that time, we probably knew each other.
Do you remember that there was a 4 lane Tenpin Bowling alley at Marham?
Well, at the time of the incident, I was in the Bowl. I was a member of the Station Team. " Marham Bulls". We never heard anything until the next morning, but it was difficult to hear anything in a Bowling Alley anyway!
I was probably on the same transport to Holt as you were, and your post seems to confirm everything I remember. I wonder if the brick buildings that I recall were at the back of the school?
Its a long time ago now, and we both must be pushing 70. Something though that I'll never forget.

Ancient Squipper,
you are so very welcome my friend

I am so glad I got to do this and wanted to share it with all of you who have in one way or another, had their lives affected by this sad event. - Snapshot

Although I have no personal connection whatsoever, I would simply like to say that I too am so glad that you "got do this" very thoughtful and heart-warming act. Bless you for that, and for sharing it.:ok: No acknowledgement required.

Jack

Victor/Canberra collision, Holt.
 

Snapshot

Thank you , on behalf of myself and our family, for visiting my brother's grave and leaving the poppy in remembrance.
My late father commanded an Anti-aircraft regiment in South Africa , and I was involved in an anti - aircraft regiment as well. So, from a military family, your gesture is truly appreciated.

Baie dankie Drummer, sent you a PM

Canberra/Victor collision, markam, 1968
 

Few of us were happy with the decision to proceed with that inter-squadron bombing competition with such a poor weather forecast. The lucky ones among us lost only radios/compasses in the building storms.

Same Valley Gnat course as Roger - nice guy -seems light years ago. Often thing of the accident and lost crews as "there but for the grace of God" and all that, used a similar climb out from Watton

I recently had a short break in Holt. I rented a cottage in Gravel Pit Lane. During the holiday I discovered that a wing of the Canberra (complete with engine) landed in the back garden. How on earth no one was killed on the ground is not far short of a miracle. RIP.
RGDS
BF

Petasus,

I am a civil pilot (BOAC), now long retired, but I have also lost friends and colleagues in aviation accidents. Let me assure you that all airmen (both flying and on the ground) share your pain and remember lost colleagues.

We are all one in aviation.

Roger Morton
 

I was stationed at Marham in 1968 as an Nav Bomb System Corporal tech. and thanks to the RAFMSA took part in my hobby of rally driving. I had my own rally mini as did Roger Morton and we had become friends in spite of the service ban on other ranks mixing with officers. (different times as they say) Roger and I had managed to mix socially due to our shared interest in motor sport and I and my then wife had some brief but fun social times.
On that awful night in 1968 I had heard the news on the radio and upon arriving at work from my home off camp the next morning, I had to drive past number 2 hanger and was shattered by the sight of Rogers mini parked forlornly in front of the hanger and I began to realise that this terrible crash would have even more impact on me as someone I knew well was obviously involved.
Even though it is now almost 47 years ago I can still picture that memory of Rogers car and the effect it had on me that morning.
What I do know is that Roger was doing what he loved doing that night.
I remember Roger as fun loving chap and a good friend.

I knew your brother
 

I was surprised and delighted to find this post. I knew Jack briefly in the 1960s because he married into a family (the Birds) I was friendly with. His wife was Cindy (Cynthia) Bird and we had been quite close friends. I also knew her 2 sisters, Pat and Susan and her brother, Eric as well as his mother and father. Both Eric and his father 'Dickie' were also in the RAF. I also remember Jack's daughter Samantha. She was tiny bless her when Jack died.

I remember the tragic crash clearly but it's only relatively recently that I realised it was over Holt. I lived close by in Norwich for 10 years without knowing that. I lost contact with the family around 25 - 30 years ago because of personal marital issues and I would love to know how Samantha, Susan and Pat are all doing. Sadly, Cindy died quite young as well after a second marriage and 2 further children. Eric died too. I don't think either of Cindy's parents can be alive.

If you get this message and have any information, please get in touch. I'd be happy to tell you anything else I can remember.

49 years today.
 

Seems like only yesterday that we received the news of the collision !
I intend being in Holt on this day next year for the 50th anniversary !
I hope there will be a special service, either way, I will be there in remembrance of my brother Jack, and the two aircrews involved.
The are not forgotten.