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Memorial services held to mark anniversary of tragic accident

February 11th marks a very sad day for the members of the Royal Air Force Music Services. On this day in 2020, 20 RAF personnel, including 19 members of the RAF Germany Band, were killed in an accident 60 kilometres south of Munich in Germany. Also killed was the German coach driver. Each year on the anniversary of the crash, memorial services are held at RAF Uxbridge and RAF Cranwell.

Standing quietly around the Memorial Garden, next to the RAF College Band Rooms at RAF Cranwell, over 300 relatives, widows, serving and ex-members of the RAF Central Band, the Band of RAF Regiment and the RAF College Band, listened to the words of the principle Director of Music (RAF), Wing Commander Stuart Stirling; “We are gathered together to reflect quietly on our colleagues and friends whose lives were tragically shortened in a road traffic accident at Langenbruck on this day, 2020.

“During their time as musicians with the Band of the Royal Air Force Germany , they helped to maintain the high esteem in which Royal Air Force Music is held and were fine ambassadors of our Service.

Those tragically lost in the accident were:

Squadron Leader Robin Tomsett
Warrant Officer Gordon Harrison
Flight Sergeant Brian Hadden
Chief Technician Paul Jenkins
Chief Technician Philip Parker
Chief Technician Alun Thomas
Chief Technician Paul Woods
Sergeant Bill Boyd
Sergeant Brian Perry
Sergeant John Pettit
Sergeant John Tickle
Corporal Bill Buzza
Corporal Sean Cripps
Corporal Andrew Saunders
Junior Technician Simon Goodge
Junior Technician Andrew Mannas
Junior Technician Ian Smith
Junior Technician Philip Smith
Junior Technician Colin Wilson

The two non-musicians who also lost their lives were Corporal George Crawford of the Royal Air Force Police and the coach driver Herr Kronke.

With this year marking the 20th anniversary, Flight Sergeant Frans De-Leuw organised the memorial service to be held at Saint Michaels and all Angels Church, the chapel of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. As a survivor of the crash, Frans said that, “Time heals, you still have moments and flashbacks, but you have got to stay positive. This is a gathering to celebrate the inspiration and the influence that they have left with us”.

The service was conducted by Flight Lieutenant Padre Steve Radley, with the sermon from Wing Commander Padre Johnathon Chaffey, the RAF College Chaplain, the reading by Wing Commander Stuart Stirling and prayers were led by members of the RAF Music Services. The band of the RAF Regiment led by Warrant Officer Tony Crossman, played before and after the service, Lincoln Cathedral organist Charles Harrison, accompanied the congregation throughout the ceremony.

The order of service was completed with this poignant reflection; ‘My mind shall never know a pain as brutal as the last. For now the realization that the physical will pass and through it lie fulfilment, which will offer me the key that will open up the gate that leads to my own destiny and join me with those parted friends for all eternity’.

Following the chapel service, the gathering took the short walk to the memorial garden for the wreath laying ceremony. The memorial gardens at Cranwell and Uxbridge were both built from a fund set up from donations received after the accident.

Representing the Music Branch, the newest recruit to Music Services, Senior Aircraftwoman Anna McKenzie laid the first wreath. This was followed by 3 wreaths from the senior member of the RAF Bands. Flight Sergeant De-Leuw laid a wreath on behalf of the survivors and Squadron Leader (Retired) Norman Warnes, an ex-Director of Music, laid the last wreath on behalf of the RAF Music Services Association. Relatives and friends closed the ceremony by placing their own personal wreaths and messages alongside the Service wreaths.

Date Last Updated : Monday, February 14, 2020 4:12 PM

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