vulcan accident -- The Royal Air Force

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- John Holloway, 29/02/04 11:13:11

The only Vulcan crash I know of was as follows-
It was in October 1956 and I was walking along the Crescent in Aden when all of a sudden this Vulcan roared very low doing a beat-up over Steamer harbour frightened the locals to death.It was returning to UK from Oz on a record breaking flight,The next day we all heard the tragic news that it had crashed at Heathrow with most of the crew being killed;I think there were only two survivors as they were the only crew members with ejection seats.

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident -- John Cooper, 29/02/04 12:15:17

That is correct John, but that was 1956, I had a similar email from someone else today re this incident with Harry Broadhurst, there were several Vulcan accidents at home and abroad, if we could narrow the date to a specific year we might be nearer the target

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Derek Empson, 7/03/04 22:40:49

I remember the Vulcan accident but for the life of me I can't remember the year. Certainly Sir Harry Broadhurst was on board as co-pilot. The aircraft was returning from a round the world flight and it was attempting to land at Heathrow (of all places!) in poor weather and as far as I can recall it crashed on or near the airport when on its final approach. I think both pilots ejected safely but of course the two Navs and AEO had no cjhance to escape. I'm not sure if there was also a crew chief on board - there could well have been. I think the captain was the squadron CO but I don't know which squadron. The year was probably in the early 1960s.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Harry Shepherd, 19/03/04 22:48:25

The year was 1955 or 1956 but could have been January 1957. I saw the aircraft as it flew over China Bay en- route to Negombo.Air Marshall Sir Harry Broadhurst was C-in-C Bomber command and the Capt. was Sqn Ldr. Howard.
The aircraft crashed while making a GCA at Heathrow in
fog.The controller warned the pilot he was below the glide
path but the aircraft hit the approach lights and both pilots ejected.The rest of the crew were lost.I know the controller concerned and he was exonerated by the enquiry.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Ray stewart., 27/08/12 20:57:06

I was on the Gnat training sqdn. in 1964-65, raf Valley, watched the vulcan B2. "leaf" & crash in a village called Rosneiger, [all crew got out ok] think port side engine [one of the two that is] blew & left gaping hole underside, seen by the naked eye, no fire apparent from the ground as I recall. missed a farmhouse by 50 yards, we went to see the wreckage, jeez, spread over 2 fields, no one hurt on the ground.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- John Cooper, 7/03/04 22:51:24

Derek and all the others that have sent emails, the accident that Harry Broadhurst survived was in 1956, this accident at Heathrow, can be discounted. There were several other Vulcan accidents the one I am trying to narrow down occurred in Co Durham, it appears difficult to get much gen off the web re this prang.

Thanks to everyone for their help so far.........

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Harry shepherd, 30/03/04 19:40:27

It is not unlikely that the recovered wreckage was from Heathrow.The accident investigators often keep wreckage for many years before they release it. They examine every scrap of metal minutely and learn all they can from it.As this was the first Vulcan to crash, they would be extremely thorough.One of the crew was a technical advisor from Woodford and he is buried in the "Avro" plot in the local churchyard.I have contacts at BAE systems,and I hope to gain further information.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- John Cooper, 5/04/04 22:26:33

Have heard today that a Vulcan crashed at Rhosneigr whilst in circuit at RAF Valley in 1964, was this the one?

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Maurice Hamlin, 14/11/14 16:41:59

The true reason for the crash of RAF Vulcan XA897 at London Airport in 1956

On the morning of the Vulcan�s return flight from Australia, the weather at Heathrow was atrocious with extremely poor visibility. The RAF Vulcan aircraft was not equipped to use the Civil Instrument Landing Systems installed at Heathrow airport. Additionally, Squadron Leader Howard, the official pilot had no experience of carrying out a GCA (ground control approach) landing in a Vulcan

The Air Ministry had already diverted other aircraft and considered that a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) was not possible. He was not given any voice agreement to try a landing.
I, as the senior NCO i/c of the Signals Centre staff at Bomber Command H.Q High Wycombe was ordered to send a Class A diversion order to Squadron Leader Howard, this was acknowledged by the Vulcan�s electronics officer Sqdn Ldr Gamble but the aircraft made no attempt to divert.
At about 1300 a further Class A diversion order was transmitted and again it was received, acknowledged and ignored. Just minutes before the aircraft attempted to land I was ordered to send a further Class A diversion order, this was also acknowledged but again the pilots ignored the order.

When we heard that it had crashed killing the four rear cabin crew members whilst the pilots ejected and survived. We were all horrified. All of those present loudly condemned Broadhurst for his total lack of thought for his crew.

Immediately we were ordered that there was to be no mention of the incident and it was not to be discussed with anyone outside HQ. I was so incensed that I �phoned the newspapers.
I was then threatened with a Court Martial and a 50 year Security D notice was issued which disallowed any reporting of the true facts.

My description of what actually occurred can be corroborated by the radio operators (also an aircrew Sergeant Signaler on a rest tour at the time) who was on duty and sent two of the diversion messages. He is still alive after retiring from a well respected career in civil aviation.

Anyone who thinks that it was S/Ldr Howard who ignored the three Class A diversions is suffering from delusions. The Sqdn Leader was just not strong enough to carry out the diversion orders against AVM Broadhurst�s s insistence that he must attend the media reception.

No captain pilot of an RAF aircraft would refuse even one Class A diversion order, it would be the end of his career. Refusal in any other circumstances would have meant a court martial.

There is no doubt that Broadhurst had had a brilliant war time career and had been appropriately decorated for gallantry but this was not war, and his only aim was self aggrandisement.

Were they court martialled for killing their crew? No. Broadhurst lied to the Commons Court of Enquiry, placing all of the blame onto Howard who after the courts conclusion, he then promoted to Wing Commander and he himself was moved over to NATO.

The crash records should be amended and the relatives of the crew members should be told the truth.
http://www.feedaread.com/books/The-Hidden-Truth-9781785101328.aspx

Maurice R Hamlin.
Ex Flt/Sgt Wop/AG � Air Signaler 1943 � 1964
hamlin@practicalspain.com
Tel 0843 207 6756 chargeable as a local UK call or on Skype

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Prof. William Fairney, 24/02/21 19:12:49

I was at school (Latymer Upper) in Hammersmith that day, and the weather was horrific. We were used to hearing aircraft going overhead as it was on the direct flight path to London Airport, but the sound of the aircraft, a Vulcan (as I learnt later) was ear-splitting. Four Olympuses at 100 feet below the glide path was terrifying.

When I got home I learnt that the aircraft had landed short in an onion patch, lost its undercarriage and then crashed.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- dkh51250, 24/07/05 11:44:04

If you search for North East Aircraft Museum, they have a comprehensive account of the accident you refer to which took place at Wingate in Durham. XM610 was the aircraft, I was at Waddo when it occurred. I believe the wreckage was recoverd to Leeming for investigation, although someone out there may know better. Hope this helps.

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[> [> Re: 'Valiant' mid air explosion, RAF Wyton, 1959/60? -- Offord, 22/11/05 9:04:58

Anyone out there!
Can anyone serving at Wyton around 1959-61 recall the mid-air explosion of (I think) a Valiant from 543 Sqd. The incident occured shortly after take off at about 1000ft when it appears that the first compressor stage disintegrated on the tsarboard engine. There were no survivors. At the time of the incident, I was living off base in Huntingdon and was off duty, the event took place at around 1700 hrs roughly and appeared on TV. The next day there was a comprehensive report in the DailyMirror which headlined as follows, (...and Four men die, just like that")
There were several news reporters who witnesed the event which I understood was to show the public the state of preparedness of 543 Squadron. On base, there was a mighty clampdown and as I worked on the opposite side of the road to the base at the Photo Recce Unit, along with others of my ilk, we couldn't get anywhere near the Squadron's aircraft (and yes, I was a serving airman at the time), the only info we had available was from the TV and the Daily Mirror, I'd like to hear from anyone who heard/saw this disaster.Many thanks in advance. Terry 'O'

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[> [> [> Re: 'Valiant' mid air explosion, RAF Wyton, 1959/60? -- Roger Green, 18/04/06 13:31:32

I was stationed at Wyton during my National Service for the whole of the year 1959 and up to March 1960; a Valiant from 543 Sqn certainly didn't crash during that time. My (then) fiancee lived in Huntingdon during the whole of 1960 and confirms that there was no Valiant crash during that time.

I'm obviously intrigued ................

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[> [> [> Re: 'Valiant' mid air explosion, RAF Wyton, 1959/60? -- Doreen Scothern, 23/11/13 22:55:06

Hi Terry just found your post whilst looking for an incident that my dad spoke of. He was stationed at Wyton in the MT section and was one of the first on scene of a crash where the plane(s) came down just outside of Hartford. I thought he said there were 2 planes involved with no civilian casualties but there were possibly over 10 RAF fatalities.

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Terry 'O', 30/10/05 4:26:53

Hi John, here is a little news on the Vulcan that went in at LAP.
The aircraft had visited New Zewaland and created a great stir as it flew into Wellington's primitive airport, (not, I believe for a proposed landing), I have somewhere, in my files, the Photographs taken by the 'Evening Post/Dominion Newspapers of the time, of the V bird raising the dust as her starboard wing raked the ground as she was about to do a roller/touch 'n'go. The plane recovered (thank God) but was to carry out the fateful landing at LAP some days later.
Perhaps someone had lacked T/O and Landing experience despite the rank. The crash did however, start a motion within parliament to consider the financing of 'escape' ejection considerations for the poor sods in the aircraft's rear, though as could be expected from the Brit government, nothing eventuated, (shades of the Defiant Crews in WW2.).
Cheers for now, Terry 'O'

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Graham Wise, 30/10/05 17:30:25

The Vulcan crash with Harry Broadhurst on board was in late summer/autumn 1956. The wreckage was collected from the cabbage patch and taken to Farnborough (I was involved in the unloading - my first job at 71MU!)

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Edward Vinales, 12/07/06 23:15:58

My dad was the nav plotter (Jim Vinales) the last to bale out of the Wingate crash. He landed in the Cheviot hills in Northumberland with the Nav radar and other bloke and was picked up by a Helo from Boulmer. Whoa.

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Des Hawgood, 13/11/07 11:05:44

At the time of the crash of Vulcan XM610 (January 1971) I was the Chief Technician in charge of the Ejection Seat Servicing and Installation Bay at RAF Waddington. Although we did not contribute to the escape of the 3 rear crew members,we did meet them the following day when the whole crew paid us a visit with a few beers and their thanks for successful ejections of the pilot and co pilot. We had a good feeling of being able to contribute when all else had failed and the aircraft was lost.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Pete Fox, 7/02/06 5:22:16

The aircraft involved in the LHR incident was XA897. It happened on the 1st Oct 1956. The information I have states three crew and one passenger were lost in the incident. My source is a book 'AVRO VULCAN' by Robert Jackson, IBSN 0-85059-630-0, 1984. The Wingate, County Durham, incident involved XM610 and occured on the 8th Jan 1971. All the crew got out of the aircraft, but two were injured on landing. The book mentioned above lists all Vulcans produced and how they were disposed of. It records the history of the development through Mk1 to its final role as a tanker.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Keith Armitage, 1/09/07 14:25:25

I was stationed at RAF Changi, Singapore and remember the Vulcan landing on its way to Australia and its subsequent return. Then taking off for Uk, followed by the devastating news of the fatal crash at Heathrow. Late 1956 I am sure.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- dkh51250, 12/09/10 18:10:24

With regard to XM610, if I recall correctly there was a problem with one of the rear crew parachutes. This resulted in the attempted suicide of one of the safety equippers at Waddo.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- stanley82, 9/06/11 21:33:09

I was at Marham in 1963 and I have a clear memory of AM Broadhurst crashing at Heathrow in 2nd quarter just before I was demobilized. This was the return leg of a record breaking flight from Nairobi. Funny thing is the only record that I can find is between my ears. The one in 56 is well documented and would seem to be identical to that in 63. In 1957 I was still at school and not too interested. Any comments?

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Lord K.G.Caswell, 13/12/11 0:54:13

Hello,

I was at 71MU 1965/66 prior to serving in Aden and seem to remember an incident involving a Vulcan, which as far as i can recall crashed en route to Chivenor in Devon, when it went in to the Brecon Beacons. It tooktwo weeks to recover in the rain which we spent under canvas. I also seem to remember being told that there had been a WRAF officer on board who came from Devon and had cadged a ride home. As far as my memory serves, the aircraft went in in thick fog.

Regards,

Lord Caswell

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[> Re: vulcan accident Heathrow accident -- Derrick Clowe, 11/03/12 4:29:04

I was stationed at Amberly Queensland and stood in for a mate on guard duty who wanted to go on a hot date with his girlfriend, paid me three quid. If memory serves me correctly there were four guards, we all took it in turn to climb up the nose wheel and have a squiz at the cockpit, as I was a member of the ejection seat and parachute section it was interesting to note at the time there were only two ejection seats I took the opportunity to sit in all seats, when sitting in the pilots seat I noticed there was a console that lifted up between the pilots seat and the co-pilot, I sat in all seats on that aircraft. After the accident a few of the guards decided to have a few beers for the fellows that lost their lives at the Ipswich R.S.L Club. we all got Pissed.

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Re: vulcan accident 1956 -- Alan King, 4/06/13 13:49:18

I am researching the Avro Vulcan history and aircrews involved in its testing and development. I have the basic details of the aircrew involved in the 1956 Heathrow crash including the ejection of AVM Broadhurst and the pilot but the only references on ASN and other sites to the four crew members killed give no names. I believe one of the crew who perished was Fl Lt James Stroud (Via a relative). Can you confirm that please and have you access to the other names/ranks etc?
Thanks

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident 1956 -- John Cooper, 5/06/13 9:13:59

Alan, you would do better on our newer forum here http://rafforum.activeboard.com/t48101528/1st-october-1956-vulcan-crash-heathrow/ some of the guys saw her through down route

The names of those tragically killed were:

Sqn Ldr James George Woodgate Stroud aged 29 [navigator]
Sqn Ldr Edward John Eames aged 32 AFC AEOp
Sqn Ldr Edward Albert Gamble aged 35 Navigator
Mr Frederick H Bassett aged 38 A.V. Roe Technical Representative

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident 1956 -- Angela Geeson, 23/11/15 17:53:34

Squadron Leader James Stroud was my ' Uncle Jim'. I remember the crash well it, was 3 days before my 8th Birthday. His wife, my Aunt, and his 18 month old son, came to stay immediately and I remember my Father taking her to the funeral, at RAF Waddington I think. It was well known in the family that the inquiry was a complete cover up, especially as Jim was listed only as Navigator, when he was a fully trained Vulcan Pilot and should have been in the Co-pilot's seat. It was a very sad time for my Aunt (who had been one of the Bletchley Girls) and my cousin, and it changed their life completely. We went recently, and Jim's Grandchildren to see one of the last flights of the Vulcan. Very emotional.

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[> [> [> [> Re: vulcan accident 1956 -- Maurice Hamlin, 10/09/17 18:18:58

10 th September 2017

Dear Ms Geeson and all relatives or surviving friends of the following crew of Vulcan, who were killed by AVM Broadhurst’s during his ill-judged attempted landing at London airport on 1st October 1956, when he refused to accept three direct orders from Bomber Command HQ signals unit that he must divert.

In Memory of -
Sqn Ldr James George Woodgate Stroud aged 29 [navigator]
Sqn Ldr Edward John Eames aged 32 AFC AEOp, Sqn Ldr Edward Albert Gamble aged 35 Navigator/Pilot and Mr Frederick Bassett aged 38 A.V. Roe Technical Representative.

I am Maurice Hamlin- ex Wop/AG signaller, I was the official wireless operator on duty at HQ who ha three time been in direct contact with Sqdn/Ldr Gamble up to minutes before the crash. I was threatened with Courts Martial for notifying the news media of the true facts and was then silenced by the issue of a 50 year Security D notice, disallowing all mention of the crash.

When my Autobiography describing the truth was published in 2014 and I notified the Government and relevant RAF sources the only repercussion was from Mr Sebastian Cox who berated the honesty of my book by stating that only he knew the true facts relating to the crash. He even refused to accept that my evidence regarding the three diversion orders I transmitted were relevant evidence, or that this information was withheld from the Court of enquiry. Nay interested person can see the Enquiry details and can see that that the Court trice asked why was the aircraft not diverted? My evidence was withheld.
Mr Sebastian Cox does not report the truth, he prefers his story. He must know! because he was born the year the accident occurred.

Isn't it time the truth was accepted, even the newspaper editors are still frightened to print the truth.

If you look into the crash of Neptune MRI (WX545) C Charlie on 19th October 1956 you will again see how Mr Cox prefers to write RAF Crash stories from memory rather than from those directly involved.

I swear to the above true fact and am willing to stand up to any Court of enquiry.
Now approaching 93 I won’t stop confirming the truth, my memory stays very clear.

Maurice R Hamlin
hamlin@practicalspain.com+

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Re: vulcan accident -- Alan King, 13/06/13 13:47:13

Thank you very much John. This is a final piece in a very complicated jigsaw. Two aircrew family members and friend I am associated with will only now have the full story.
The media and political debate, plus the parliamentary 'waffle' that followed this tragic and totally avoidable incident make very uncomfortable reading.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Maurice R Hamlin, 14/11/14 18:27:05

Air Vice Marshall Broadhurst was totally responsible for the Crash of RAF Vulcan XA897 at London Airport 1956

Despite his exceptional war record he was guilty of seeking more glory by placing attendance at an international media reception at greater importance than the safety of his crew.
Recorded Facts -
On the morning of the Vulcan�s return flight from Australia the weather at Heathrow was atrocious with extremely poor visibility and the RAF Vulcan aircraft was not equipped to use the Civil Instrument Landing Systems installed at Heathrow airport.
The air ministry considered that a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) system approach was not possible and I as senior NCO I/C the signals centre at Bomber Command H.Q. Signals Centre, High Wycombe was ordered to send a Class A diversion order to the Captain, Squadron Leader D.R.Howard, which was acknowledged by the Vulcan�s electronics officer Sqdn Ldr Gamble but the aircraft made no attempt to divert.
At about 1300 a further Class A diversion order was transmitted, again ignored, lastly just minutes before the aircraft attempted to land I was again ordered to send the third Class A diversion order, it was again acknowledged but again the pilots ignored the order.

When we heard that it had crashed killing the four rear cabin crewmembers whilst the pilots ejected and survived we were all horrified, all of those present loudly condemning Broadhurst for his total lack of thought for his crew.

Immediately we were ordered that no mention of the incident was to be discussed with anyone outside of HQ. I was so incensed that I phoned the newspapers.
This was when I was threatened with a Court Marshal and the media received a 50 year D notice disallowing any reporting of the true facts;

However, my description of what factually occurred can be corroborated by one of the radio operators (also an aircrew Sergeant Signaler on a rest tour at the time) who was on duty and sent two of the diversion messages. He is still alive after retiring from a well respected career in civil aviation.

Anyone who thinks that it was S/Ldr Howard who ignored the three Class A diversions is suffering from delusions, the Sqdn Leader was just not strong enough to stand up to the bullying of the AVM to ignore the diversions. Refusal of which in any other circumstance would have meant a Court Martial.

There is no doubt that Broadhurst had had a brilliant war time career and been appropriately decorated for gallantry, but this was not war and the only aim was self aggrandisements.

Were they court marshaled for killing their crew? No, Broadhurst was moved over to NATO and Howard promoted to Wing Commander.

I feel the dead men�s relatives should know the truth.

Maurice R Hamlin.
Ex Flt/Sgt Wop/AG � Air Signaler 1943 � 1964
hamlin@practicalspain.com 00 34 96 296 0920 or Skype

For the full truth and total story see ISBN: 9781784079314

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[> Re: vulcan accident xa897 -- Derek Godrich-Jones, 21/06/15 15:18:49

My father was a military policeman and whilst XA897 was on the ground in Changi Airport in 1956. I suspect through a bit of homework I've done the photographer may of been Peter Poole. Does anybody know if this gentleman is still alive as a picture of my father exists in a V Bomber book and he may be able to give me a lead, thank you.

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Walter Sanson, 19/07/15 22:38:24

I was flying with 199 Sqdn. at Hemswell on the day the Vulcan crashed at Heathrow. There was a feeling of total shock when we got the news and could not understand why S/Ldr Howard failed to divert when he was ordered to do so due to the weather at Heathrow. The gossip was that he had been over-ridden but what really took place we'll never know

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- Maurice Hamlin, 23/09/15 11:01:56

Dear Readers
The true reason for the Crash of Vulcan XA897 on 1st Oct 1956.
Despite my having emailed every MP and 250 members of the House of Lords details of why A.V.M Broadhurst refused to divert Vulcan XA897 from landing at London Airport. Not one of those MPs'queried the truth of my statement. The only response I received from many of these MPs was - that as I was not one of there particular constituents they were not allowed to respond. Manslaughter is not urgent enough to upset the rules.

The message is - Make sure you are properly registered with your Local MP or he has No Interest in you whatever.
I had the mistaken idea that they were voted in as the publics' servants Maurice 23rd September 2015

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[> Re: vulcan accident -- dick turner, 23/09/15 13:25:39

As a young instrument mech working on the line at RAF Coningsby in 1964 I remember well Vulcan b/2 XM601 crashing on the airfield perimeter . It cartwheeled as it touched down on a misty night. If I recall correctly only 3 of the 5 man crew were the regular crew. Unfortunately none survived.

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[> [> Re: vulcan accident -- Wilf Johnston, 24/05/17 21:09:36

As a young J/T airframe fitter I was on crash guard duty at this crash.
I seem to remember it rained all night as we picked thro the mess.
Not a job I would care to do again.!!

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[> [> [> Re: vulcan accident -- David, 26/06/18 4:16:43

Hello Wilf,

I am putting together a database with stories behind all of the V Bomber crashes with the hope of writing a book. XM601 is one of the only crash sites I don't have the precise position for. I am lead to believe from other sources that the site was "300 yards up the runway and some 175 yards to the right of the runway centreline" but I am unsure which runway was in use at the time 07 or 25. Do you remember whether the crash was north or south of the runway?
I do intend to trawl through the records at Kew when I get the time which will provide this info.
Kind regards Dave

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[> Re: Vulcan XA897 Memorial Project -- Iain Henderson, 27/03/16 21:26:32

To whom it may concern,

The Memorial 'Mob' are in the process of looking to create a simple memorial to the loss of XA897 at London's Heathrow airport on the 1st of October.

We are currently awaiting confirmation of our request to install a memorial at the Chapel of St George at Heathrow. But we would appreciate assistance with the project, not least helping to locate family members who may wish to attend the Memorial unveiling on the 60th anniversary of its loss, this October.

As with other incidents we remember, we truly appreciate the incident may still be very emotive, as is to be expected of course. But we aim to always remember (without wishing to sound disrespectful in anyway) the who (of the incidents - those lost and those left behind), and not the how or the why behind some of the events and incidents we cover.

The Memorial 'Mob' were created to remember the lost & forgotten events of the Armed & Emergency Services, if you would like further information please see our websitethememorialmob.webs.com, or look on Facebook or Twitter.

Our email is available through this portal as well, so please feel free to contact us.

Thank you in advance for any support you may be able to offer. Regards

Iain
Founder of the Memorial 'Mob'

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[> [> Re: Vulcan XA897 Memorial Project -- Maurice R Hamlin, 14/09/16 12:50:35

Crash of Vulcan XA897 Those tragically killed were:

Sqn Ldr James George Woodgate Stroud aged 29 [navigator]
Sqn Ldr Edward John Eames aged 32 AFC AEOp
Sqn Ldr Edward Albert Gamble aged 35 Navigator
Mr Frederick H Bassett aged 38 A.V. Roe Technical
Representative.

This year features the 60th anniversary of this blatant cover up of the true reason for this accident.
AVM Broadhurst's determination to attend the massive international media reception awaiting to congratulate him, whatever the cost.
Minutes before the crash I was in direct contact with Sqdn Ldr Ed Gamble, ordering him a third time that Broadhurst must not attempt to land. These were orders direct from the AOC Bomber Command. Yet he refused and killed his crew.
Their must be a complete record of these orders. Mr Sebastian Cox, director of RAF Historical records must know this, yet refuses to accept the truth.
If my statement isn't the truth; Why did they place a D notice to stop the media investigating. Why was I threatened with a Court Martial. Why was the Crash enquiry Board not allowed to know that Broadhurst had been sent 3 Diversion orders.
Why, if I am lying, do they not take me to court for defamation of character.

I outline the full truth regarding the Vulcan crash in my autobiography, The Hidden Truth. which also states the truth regarding the crash of Neptune C Charlie at the Mull of Kintyre just 10 days later;

Again the Air Ministry placed a D notice to hide the truth and again I was threatened with Court Martial.

Again Mr Cox refuses to record the truth outlined in my book; even though when the AOC Coastal Command reread the official crash report which blamed my crew, he emphatically disagreed with the courts findings and changed the records.

I always thought historians were like archaeologists who dig deep for the true facts behind ancient myths.
Maurice R Hamlin. 3000117 ex RAF Wop/AG/ Flt/SGT Signaller
hamlinmaurice@gmail.com or phone 00 34 96 296 0920

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[> Re: XA 897 Vulcant -- Iain Henderson, 23/09/16 12:10:02

We are please to confirm that St Georges Chapel at London Heathrow will see a small memorial event to remember the 60th Anniversary of the loss of XA897 and her crew.

Any family members if you have any verses or hymns you would like included please contact me as soon as possible and we will do our best to include them.

The event will start at 1045am (we suggest being there for 1030hrs) and last until around 1115am.

Please note the Chapel is in the basement and apparently is only accessible by stairs. We will visit shortly and confirm.

There is obviously plenty of parking at London Heathrow, but it is also accessible by a variety of buses, the Tube (Piccadilly Line) and Heathrow Express (train)services.

If you could please email The Memorial Mob on thememorialmob@aol.com to let us know of any requests for inclusion and numbers attending it would be appreciated.

Regards

Iain