Author writing book on Croydon plane crash victims appeals for information
By Aline Nassif
aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk
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YOUNG VICTIM: Quentin Green
An author compiling a book in memory of the Archbishop Lanfranc schoolboys who died in a plane crash is desperately seeking more tributes as the tragedy's 50th anniversary draws nearer.
Rosalind Jones, 62, the sister of 15-year-old student Quentin Green who died alongside 31 other boys and two teachers on August 9, 1961, says there are still several "gaps" in her book.
"The Lanfranc Boys", to be published to coincide with the anniversary, will bring together stories about those who lost their lives.
The plane carrying the victims, who were on a school trip, nose-dived into the Holtaheia mountain, near Stavanger, in Norway.
An appeal in this paper last year prompted dozens of responses but Mrs Jones is keen to hear from the relatives of all the deceased.
Speaking from her home in France, she said: "Despite having filled seven large files with information I still have very little or nothing at all about some of the boys who died, and two of the crew.
"Now the 48th anniversary has passed, and the 50th anniversary is fast approaching, I'm very keen to hear from their relatives.
"So many kind people, including a large number of Lanfranc boys and masters from the 1960s, have helped fill in lots of gaps and I know the book is going to tell a much more complete story than the snippets that made the headlines 48 years ago."
Mrs Jones is specifically seeking information on pupils Gregory Allen, Trevor Condell, Geoffrey Crouch, Clifford Gaskin, David Gore, Anthony Harrison, David Hatchard, Peter Huggins, Alan Lee, Robert Martin, Edwin Murray, John Phelps, Robert Roffey, Lawrence Sims, Roger Taylor and Roger White.
She would also like to learn more about crew members First Officer Reginald Smalley and Air Hostess Susan Endicott.
All profits from sales of the book will go to the International Red Cross.
To contact Mrs Jones e-mail rosalind.jones@wanadoo.fr or write to Rosalind Jones, Les Monts, Avernes-s-Exmes, 61310, France.
2 Comments
by Gemma Hare, South East London
Saturday, January 02 2010, 11:15PM
“I remember my mother telling me of this plane accident. She was very sweet with one of the boys in her school days and used to meet up with a young lad often (I cannot remember the name but will ask my mother). She said that he was not actually going but on late notice he went due to another boy being unable to go due to chicken pox. What a sad tragedy.”
by Jean Wilkins nee Havis, Kent
Tuesday, September 29 2009, 9:51PM
“Attended Lanfranc Girls at that time and can remember lining the route of the funeral. Went to pay our respects at the cemetry and had not realised the grave was not covered in. The sight of those coffins has been with me ever since.”