Aerospace Bristol is expanding the appeal to trace the families of 42 former employees who lost their lives in flying accidents between 1910 and 1960 – having already tracked down the family of a radio operator who perished in the 1957 Downend crash.
A new memorial will honour the bravery of pilots and flight test engineers from the British Colonial Aeroplane Company and the Bristol Aeroplane Company, whose courage and sacrifice helped shape today’s high level of aviation safety.
The memorial will be unveiled at a ceremony on 6 November – the anniversary of the Britannia 301 G-ANCA crash in Downend – to honour the bravery of those who gave their lives for the progress of aviation safety.
The story begins in 1912 with pilot Hotchkiss’ fatal wing failure, through to wartime accidents in Blenheim and Beaufort aircraft, through to the 1957 Downend disaster when 15 people tragically lost their lives.
Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol, said: “The memorial is a tribute to the extraordinary bravery and dedication of those who helped pave the way for the aviation achievements we all benefit from today. We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to our appeal – and with so many strong leads we’ve already connected with several families – and we are eager to find more.”
Esme Todd – granddaughter of Bill Todd, the radio operator who lost his life in the crash – was moved by the mission to trace the families and said: “I’m so pleased that Aerospace Bristol has chosen to honour my grandfather and the 41 other fallen heroes.
“I never got to meet him, and this keeps their stories alive.”
Aerospace Bristol is now appealing for anyone who may know of, or be connected to, those who lost their lives to contact adam.jones@aerospacebristol.org so that the stories can be preserved for future generations.