Sole Survivor Of Royal Duke's Plane Tells About Crash

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1942, Page 3

Sole Survivor Of Royal Duke's Plane Tells About Crash

Aircraft burst into flames j after accident. Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Apg. 26. The Sunderland flying-boat. in which the Duke of Kent lost his life I burst into flames after crashing on j a rugged foothill in a lonely, roadless part of the highlands. The plane was practically burnt out when it was found. The sole survivor was the rear-gunner, Flight-Lieutenant A. S. Jack, aged 24. He was apparently thrown clear when the plane struck the hill. Then, only semi-conscious, he walked three miles before he was found by some crofters and taken to hospital. He is suffering from burns but his condition is not very serious. The plane had flown 60 miles when it crashed. Search parties went out immediately news of the crash was received. The occupants of the plane numbered 15, one of whom has not yet been accounted for. Fragments Widely Scattered. The wreckage of the aircraft was found only after nearly two hours' search, although witnesses of the crash were only a mile away. Fragments of the fuselage were widely scattered over the mountain into which the Sunderland crashed in mist. Removal of the bodies across the rugged, pathless moorland was a task that required considerable organisation. It was done by soldiers, airmen, farmers and shepherds. The Duke of Kent and two others were thrown clear of the Sunderland and were apparently killed instantly. An Air Ministry official stated that the Sunderland was a Coastal Command machine from an operational station. Its crew and passengers were all members of the services, and therefore a civil inquiry was unlikely to be held. The official casualty list of the crash names 14 persons killed, including Wing Commander T. L. Moseley, R.A.F., an Australian, who was the first pilot, Sergeant E. F. Blacklock, R.N.Z.A.F., the second pilot, and Flight Lieutenant F. M. Goyen, R.A.A.F., an Australian, who was captain. Flight Sergeant Jack is classified as seriously injured. He is badly burned. The Duke of Kent's commanding officer was Air Chief Marshal Sir Ecigar Ludlow -Hewitt, Inspector-General of the R.A.F. His job was to visit stations at home and abroad and report to Air Marshal Ludlow-Hewitt on conditions generally. He hacfcovered 40,000 miles inside England and about 15.000 miles abroad. As with all air force crashes an inquiry will be held into the cause of the accident. The Duke of Kent's body was taken to a Highland castle. He will be given a funeral with full military honours and

will be buried in the Royal vaults beneath St. George's Chapel, Windsor. By command of the King the Court will go into mourning for four weeks ( from to-day. The Duke's death has brought messages of sympathy and warm appreciation of his services from the world over. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary for Air, has conveyed to 'the King and the Duchess of Kent an expression of the deep sym-, pathy of the Air Council, of all ranks of the Royal Air Force and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and of himself in this tragic loss to the Royal House. He expressed in particular the keen sense of gratitude of all ranks for the Duke's devoted interest in furtihering their ivellbeing. His loss, he said, would be felt deeply, not only in this country, but throughout the Empire. The Duke's air force duties had carried him many thousands of miles, and all in the service were conscious of the benefits they now enjoyed as a result of his work of inepection, guidance and advice on welfare matters. All those with whom he came in contact had been filled with respect, admiration and gratitude for the deep keenness with which he served his country 's cause. The Times, ln a leader, says: "The manner of his death will make the men of the Empire straighten to the tasks still to be done, for the Duke of Kerft died on active service for his country like many others who have died already and countless thousands who yet may die." A New York message states that the news of the Duke of Kent's untimely death shocked Americans, who held him in the highest regard, especially since President Roosevelt became the godfather of his child earlier in August. The Press features details of the 'tragedy and gives lengthy obituaries, with pictures of Princess Marina and their children.