This memorial is at the National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas, Staffordshire. Each cross has a name of one who died in the plane crash in Malta 18 February 1956. of a York trooper aircraft in Malta on Saturday 18th., there were no survivors of the crash, A total of 50 people perished at the scene.
Malta’s worst air tragedy occurred during the afternoon of Saturday the 18th February 1956. The plane, a four engine Avro York trooper aircraft, G-ANSY, belonging to Scottish Airlines, crashed near Zurrieq. It had been chartered by the Royal Air Force and was being used to carry troops from Suez, in Egypt, to the U.K., with a stop-over in Malta. 50 people killed in the crash There were no survivors of the crash, the second worst in British aviation history.
One serviceman boarded the aircraft at the last minute in Egypt. He was being flown home on compassionate grounds.
The RAF men and soldier are at rest in Imtarfa Military Cemetery, Malta
At the request of his wife, the pilot, Captain Frank Coker was in a private grave in the same cemetery.
The bodies of the co-pilot, navigator, radio officer and an air hostess were taken to the U.K. for burial.
Belfast News-Letter - Monday 20 February 1956
Twelve of the 44 R.A.F. victims had won a ‘‘draw’ at their Suez Canal zone station. Their names came out of the hat for a place in the aircraft which would have got them home days earlier than a sea passage. The others killed were the crew of five—including the English stewardess, who was aged 22. and her fiancee—and an R.A.O.C. private. Two Eire men were killed: AC1 M. Fleming, of Wexford, and Corporal C. Burke, of Dublin.
Late last night the Air Ministry announced that the funeral the Servicemen would take place with full military honours at 9-30 a.m. to-morrow at Imtarfa military cemetery, Malta
Prayers for the bereaved were said at services yesterday in the parish church of Chalfont St. Peter (Buckinghamshire) the church at which the stewardess. Miss Jill Upham, whose home was at Chalfont St. Peter, and her fiance. First Officer Robert Gorvin, aged 30, of Cowplain (Hampshire), were to have been married on Easter Monday.
Investigation begins
Mr. T. K. Nelson, Senior inspector of accidents, Ministry of Civil Aviation, with a senior investigating officer, Mr. J. Goulding, were flown from London early yesterday to Malta to begin an investigation into the disaster. The experts began work in rocky, rain-swept fields which had been cordoned off by police near Luqa airport where the still-hot wreckage of the four-engine aircraft was scattered.
The transport had been chartered the War Office from Scottish Airlines, and the managing director the firm, Mr. D. F. McIntyre, and the general manager, Captain I. C. Grant, flew from Stansted to Malta yesterday.
A spokesman for the firm said that early reports that the aircraft appeared to catch fire in the air seemed to be incorrect. So far as could be determined it failed to maintain height after take-off, struck the ground and caught fire. Investigators appealed for eyewitness reports of the crash, but few- people have given Information.
The aircraft took off from Luqa, after being supplied with more than 2,000 gallons of fuel, for Stansted (Essex). An early report said that the control tower radioed to the pilot. Captain Frank Coker, and reported that smoke was coming from the aircraft. His last message back was to "stand by.”
Housewives in Nigret village, near the scene of the crash, said that they heard the sound of engines and then what seemed like mid-air explosion.
The first people to reach the blazing wreckage in a field near the Blue Grotto, a beauty spot, said they could do nothing except watch, because of the intense heat and fumes. The grotto is the legendary meeting place of the Mediterranean sirens who lured ships to disaster.
The Queen’s sympathy
The Queen sent the following message to the Secretary for Air. Mr. Nigel Birch: I am deeply shocked to hear of the accident that took place at Luqa aerodrome. Please convey my sincere sympathy, and that of my husband. to the next of kin those who have lost their lives.
R.A F. men yesterday removed the last human remains from the wreckage. Priests In Malta asked then congregations to offer prayers for the victims and their families.
Three chaplains will officiate at the funeral at which full military honours will be accorded a simultaneous service for members of the Church England, the Roman Catholic Church and other denominations.
Captain Coker, aged 40, whose home was at Prestwick (Ayr), will be buried in Malta —it Is understood that this is in accordance with his wife’s wishes —and the bodies of the remainder of the crew will be flown to Britain.
Some additional information taken from the same newspaper.
Belfast man Leading Aircraftman W.Fleming, a son of Mr and Mrs W.J.Flemming of Portello St, Woodstock Road
