Personnel Index - Detail
The crew names engraved on the walls of the National Arboretum
From left to right: Sgt N.V. Hollands, Sgt A. North, F/O J.G. Parry, F/O A. King, F/O A.L Hunt, Sgt S.A.G. Bartlett
THE GITHUNGURI TRAGEDY:
On 19 February 1955, the Thomas crew (49 Squadron) were visiting Githunguri police post as guests of the Kenya Police. Suddenly, the visiting crew had their attention drawn to a Lincoln (displaying white spinners) coming in on a very low approach; it was another 49 Squadron crew intent on showing those on the ground 'a thing or two'. Those on the ground threw themselves flat, thinking the aircraft was coming straight into the compound. It was during the second pass that the aircraft's tail struck the boundary fence. It then went into a severe vertical climb before stalling out onto an African 'shamba'. In the sickening carnage, four Africans and all six crew members onboard were killed. The hero of the incident was a chap called Pierson of the visiting crew, who managed to pull Stan Bartlett from the wreckage, but sadly Stan died later of his injuries.
F/O Alan Hunt Pilot (Killed)
Sgt Alan North F/Eng (Killed)
Sgt Norman Hollands Signaller (Killed)
Sgt Stanley Bartlett A/G (Killed)
F/O Alexander King NAV (Killed)
F/O John Parry NAV (Killed)
Click here to view newspaper articles, documents, photographs and videos relating to this incident
There is a memorial to F/O Hunt in St. Leonards Church, Sandridge, Hertfordshire.