Those based at Lyneham who died were the captain,
Flt Lt David Stead, 35; co-pilot Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25;
navigator Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35; air loadmaster Flt Sgt
Mark Gibson, 34; engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; ground engineers
Chf Tech Richard Brown, 40; and Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38; and
survival equipment fitter Cpl David Williams, 37.
The other two killed were Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, a
staff officer serving with Strike Command at High Wycombe,
and Lance Cpl Steven Jones, 25, from Fareham who was serving
with the Royal Signals.
The Queen expressed her deepest
sympathy to the families, saying she was saddened by the
tragedy.
The Princess Royal, who is Honorary Air Commodore at the
RAF base, paid a private hour-long visit to Lyneham on Tuesday.
There she met members of 47 Squadron, which lost five of its
number in the crash, and members of the Lyneham engineering
wing, which lost three. She also spoke to staff assisting
the bereaved families.
RAF Lyneham station commander Paul Oborn paid tribute to
the men, saying: "They will be sorely missed. The crew,
support personnel and passengers on board the Hercules were
playing a vital role, helping to deliver democracy to the
Iraqis." He said the team worked closely, often in demanding
conditions. This team was one of our best. Team spirit, self
discipline, professionalism in the air and a sense of humour
were characteristics of this crew and we could all learn a
lot from them."
It is not yet known when the men's bodies will be flown back,
although it has emerged they will return to RAF Brize Norton
in Oxfordshire before being brought home to Lyneham. Former
Hercules crewman Andy Humm said the tight-knit community began
to realise something terrible had happened when the gates
to the airbase were symbolically shut on Sunday afternoon.
Word went round and most people found out from watching the
news. The mood has been deep and sombre here ever since."
Cathy Stanford, head of Lyneham Infant School, and Ian Tucker,
head of Lyneham Junior School, where 70 per cent of pupils
and a significant number of staff come from RAF families,
issued a joint statement. It said: "At this extremely
difficult time our thoughts are with the families of all those
affected by this tragedy. All of us at Lyneham Infant and
Junior School will do everything we possibly can to provide
a caring environment and we will offer support to the whole
community in whatever way."
Mrs Stanford said there was a feeling of "deep unrest"
at the schools. She said the schools were well prepared to
deal with tragedies involving the base. "We've been prepared
for this for a long time but it doesn't make it any easier,"
she said. "Our staff have had special training to deal
with situations like this. Both schools have set rooms aside
with coffee and biscuits for anyone who needs that sort of
support and we are trying to keep our routines as solid as
possible for the children."
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the men who died. Master
Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Griffiths Close, Stratton
St Margaret, Swindon, leaves two sons, Adrian and Stuart,
and his girlfriend, Rachel. Known as Gary Nic, he joined the
RAF in 1982 and saw action in many areas, including the 1991
Iraq war and the Balkans. He was described as a giant of a
man with a giant of a heart who was devoted to his sons. Friends
commented that with his ebullient nature you would often hear
him before you would see him. Neighbour Debbie Harris, 49,
said: "He was so popular the whole neighbourhood
is feeling this. He was happy all the time, easy going and
would do anything for anyone. "I had to take a day off
work when I heard what happened. I just think he died needlessly
and I keep questioning why it happened because he was one
of the best."
Among the floral tributes left outside the base was one with
a card bearing a special message for the father-of-two. It
read: "For Gary Nicholson,
the sunniest person we ever knew." Flight
Sergeant Mark `Gibbo' Gibson, 34, of Gairlock Close, Sparcells,
Swindon, was devoted to his wife Sheila and seven-year-old
daughter Poppy. His cousin Clare Bateman-Jones, a nurse from
Cardiff, said the whole family was devastated. "Mark
loved being in the RAF and couldn't wait to join when he left
school at 18," she said. "He was always such a happy
guy, easy to be around, very laid back. It's terribly sad."
He joined the RAF in 1987, following in the footsteps of his
father Sam, and was a golf fanatic who was described as one
of life's entertainers. He had two younger brothers
Neil, also a load master in the RAF, and Paul.
Colleagues
of Corporal David Williams, 37,
from Chippenham, described him as "a happy-go-lucky character,
with a mischievous personality and a dry sense of humour;
forever joking, making light of any conditions in any location".
Married with three young children, Cpl Williams was a devoted
husband and proud father.
Chief Technician Richard Brown,
40, known as Richie, "was a keen and active sportsman
who was always extremely enthusiastic and committed in everything
he did". He worked ceaselessly for charity and in 1998
was awarded an 11 Group Commendation for his charity work.
Former Lyneham engineer Andy Humm knew Chf Tech Brown and
Sergeant Robert O'Connor, a 38-year-old
single man who also died in the crash. Mr Humm said: "Both
guys were real characters. They were always good to be around
and were always cheerful. "They will be sorely missed."
The aircraft was captained by Flight
Lieutenant David Stead, 35, a married pilot serving with
47 Squadron, who a neighbour of his in Lyneham said had recently
had a second child. A close friend described Flt Lt Stead
as someone who lived for his family and had a passion for
flying. Flt Lt Tony Hambleton said: "David lived for
his family, enjoyed life and his passion for flying shone
through always. He had a keen sense of humour and was a great
wit. He was always the first to spot the funny side of any
situation. His smile lit up any room he entered."
The plane's navigator, Flt Lt Paul
Pardoel, leaves a widow Kellie and their three children,
Jordan, seven, Jackson, five, and India, two. An Australian,
he retired from the RAAF in 2002 and joined the RAF. He was
described as fun-loving, adventurous and with a great sense
of humour but also very dedicated. He was a very well liked
and active member of the parents' association at St Joseph's
Catholic School, Malmesbury, where his children went to school.
The plane's co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant
Andrew Smith, was a 25-year-old single man who always
said he'd never marry or have children while in the RAF, the
service that he loved. His younger brother Gary, 24, said
from the family home in Cleethorpes: "He was a really
funny guy, very loud, and fearless. He loved abseiling and
bungee jumping he was a real daredevil. He was just
so proud to have been in the RAF. It was what he always wanted
to do. It is all just such a shock."
Relatives of Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones, 25, the
only soldier on board, said he would "forever be in the
hearts of those that knew him best". In a statement the
family said: "Steve worked hard, played hard and lived
life to the full whether it be skydiving or bungee jumping.
Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, 39, who was a divorced
staff officer who served with Headquarters Strike Command
in High Wycombe, was also among the victims.
|
 |
Gazette &
Herald
www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk
With thanks to the Gazette
& Herald, your local weekly newspaper
available Thursdays, serving Wiltshire across three
centuries. The excellent newspaper has gained "Newspaper
Society Community Newspaper of the Year" Award.
You can catch on the news and information online |
|
|
