Lanfranc School Air Disaster August 9th 1961

[Tab]

Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of 34 young teenagers, their two masters from Lanfranc school, Croydon, the town of my birth, and a flight crew of three on a Norwegian mountain just outside of Stavanger in 1961.

The tradegy was national and international news at the time and brought Croydon to a standstill. The event has affected the lives of many ever since. Amongst the boys were budding guitar players like ourselves who may have gone on to become members of this site or even higher things.

Please spare a moment to remember the loss of these young lives and the friends and relatives who, as I write, are travelling to Norway to commerate the tragic event. A civic sevice of rememberance is to take place in Croydon this coming Sunday.

You may remember 'The Lanfranc Boys' story at the time and a detailed account of this tradegy 50 years ago has been written by Rosalind Jones, who lost a brother in the accident - the link to the book can be found below. All proceeds from the book's sales are going to the Norwegian Red Cross who handled the recovery and repatriation of the bodies with great sensitivity and respect which has not been forgotten by the bereaved families.

KInd regards to all.

www.lanfranc-holtaheia.co.uk/lanfranc%20book.htm - Cached

[JimN]

Tab,

I remember the TV news reports. One shot showed a funeral wreath shaped (and coloured) like a record. Until the news reports, I'd never heard of Croydon.

Can it really be fifty years ago?

JN

[Rick50]

Hi Terry, I remember how much this affected all of us in Croydon at the time, I was just about to start at my secondary school, John Newnham in Addington when this tragic news appeared.
My thoughts are with anyone affected by this horrible accident. Although I have lived in South Devon since 1973, you don't forget your roots.
Rick

[RayL]

The Lanfranc tragedy passed close to my family like a sudden blast of icy wind. My brother Bryan attended Lanfranc in 1961 and would have gone on that trip had it not been, I think, for lack of funds.

Ray L

[Tab]

Hi Jim, Rick & Ray,

You may be interested to know that there is to be a short documentary on this in tonight's 'One Show' BBC1 7:00pm.

Kind regards,

Terry

[Tim]

Thank you Tab for reminding us of this tragedy. I remember it well. I was 12 at the time. I lived in Rye in Sussex in those days but have lived in the Croydon(ish) area (Carshalton, New Malden) for many years. I am a frequent vistor to the wonderful Fairfield Halls in Croydon which were opened (I think) a year later in 1962. So ironic that this sad anniversary coincides with the awful scenes witnessed in Croydon last night. I have ordered the book. Thanks again.
Tim

[Tab]

Thanks Tim,

You may have noticed that the scheduled documentary was not aired. It seems that reporting of mindless idiots looting and setting fire to buildings was more important than events affecting the lives of decent people, albeit a long time ago. Nevertheless, those events are as real to the people involved as news today.

Croydon was a different and better place in 1961.

Kind regards,

Terry

[Tim]

Tab
Yes I was disappointed (but not surprised I suppose) that the One Show did not run the story. I try very hard not to say that life was so much better in times gone by, but the current state of affairs makes this difficult to do.
Best wishes
Tim

[abstamaria]

I am sorry now to read about the trouble affecting Croydon, Terry.

Andy

[Simon Underwood]

Being Croydon born and bred myself, I was horrified to see the images of what was happening, especially Reeves, which had been there for over 100 years. Growing up in Croydon in the Sixties and Seventies was a very happy time for me and as you say, Terry, a much nicer place then. The Lanfranc School air disaster was something that was often spoken about.

Simon