| T2120 Blenheim IVf 254 Sqn Aldergrove. Hit radio mast & NAAFI building 19 July 1941 | This came up in discussion yesterday and I thought I would post, in order to record the names of 6 NAAFI Civilians killed - which are not recorded ASAIK elsewhere here
19 July 1941 T2120. Blenheim IVf of 254 Sqn Aldergrove. Hit radio mast and NAAFI building low-flying base. DBF. 4+ 6 NAAFI girls k.
See
[url]http://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=T2120[/url]
AIR81/7719 Pilot Officer W H King, Sergeant P E Neale, Sergeant R E Lea: killed; Aircraftman C H Hore: died of injuries; Aircraftman DR Corner, injured; eleven NAAFI women employees: six killed, four injured; aircraft accident at RAF Aldergrove, Blenheim T2120, 254 Squadron, 19 July 1941.
6 NAAFI Civilians Killed were
Miss Margaret Castles
Miss Annie Violet Shaw Crozier
Miss Annie Watson
Miss Elizabeth Osborne
Miss Brigid McGarry
Miss Mary Mulholland
RAF Aldergrove Crash - NAAFI Fatalities (Northern Whig, 24-07-1941)
Ulster Air Disaster Described
A VERDICT of accidental death was returned at the inquest yesterday on the ten persons who lost their lives in the air accident in Northern Ireland last week-end when a 'plane crashed into a N.A.A.F.I. canteen.
Six of the victims were members of the staff of the N.A.A.F.I. Of the remaining four three were the pilot and crew of the aeroplane, and the fourth was an aircraftman who had been on the ground near the scene of the crash.
Evidence was given that the aeroplane was in perfect mechanical order when it took off and was returning in formation with two others at its scheduled time
Fully Qualified
When approaching the landing ground the machases broke formation, and two of them made perfect landings. The third struck a wooden building, and then crashed into the canteen
The manager of the N.A.A F.I. spoke in appreciation of the assistance given by R A.F. personnel and others in the rescue work.
On behalf of the R.A.F. a squadron leader and a flying officer extended sympathy to the relatives of the victims. A relative of one of the victims asked if the pilot of the aircraft was experienced and a flying officer replied that the pilot was fully qualified to fly the machine.
Three Funerals
Three of the victims were buried yesterday.
The funeral of Miss Margaret Castles. eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Castles. late IA Blarts Road. Lisburn, look place from her grandmother's residence. 25. Kitchener Street, Belfast. to the City Cemetery.
The funeral of Miss Annie Violet S Crozier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Witham Crozier. 80, Farnham Street took place from that address to Knockbreda Cemetery. and that of Miss Annie Watson. daughter of Mr James Watson and the late Mrs. Sarah Watson 50. Pernau Street, took plane from her brother's residence, 42, Canmore Street, to the City Cemetery
Messrs. David Ireland & Co., Lisburn Mad. had charge of the funeral arrangements in the case of Miss Castles.
Messrs. Wilton. Rosewood Buildings. Crumlin Road were re ....Read More. | paulmcmillan on 11th January 2022 08:48:36 |
| Memorial for RAF Aldergrove | I do security at Joint Helicopter Command, Aldergrove (RAF Aldergrove).
Last year a work college (ex RAF) told me about a plane crash that killed six NAAFI staff.
Bristol Blenheim IV T2120, of 254 Sqn, crashed on the 19th July 1941.
I do a bit of Military Genealogy, so I started to research this event.
There are a few good web pages that have great information on this subject.
I have found the details of the crew and the RAF member that died on the ground. I have also located were the NAAFI building would have been located, plus the location of were the six NAAFI staff are buried.
After being here at Aldergrove I have noticed that there is no memorial for this tragedy. Not like the many accidents that occurred around Northern Ireland during the war.
This is my question. Is there any one on this site that have had dealings with having a memorial put in place? I would like to get a memorial put in place so these hero's/heroines can be remembered like they should.
I just need a few pointers to get this project up and running.
Any information would be appreciated.
Marty White
P.S. I have looked at other thread's on the site about the same incident but because they have been inactive for many years I decided to put a new thread on. ....Read More. | Marty White on 7th May 2022 07:46:29 |
