Since the first temporary memorial was out in place just weeks before the 58th year anniversary of the crash, it was replaced with a beautifully carved memorial by a local resident and ex Royal Air Force veteran Mr Brian Eastoe. Sadly the weather has damaged this memorial to the point it now needs a more resilient replacement.
On a fateful March morning in 1957, the skies over Sutton Wick were shattered by tragedy. The Blackburn Beverley XH117Z, a cargo aircraft from the RAF, tragically crashed during a routine flight, to Cyprus, claiming the lives of 18 people. Among them were the RAF crew members from 53 and 47 Squadrons, 8 RAF Police dog handlers, and 2 local residents.
Since 2015, a simple memorial has marked the spot where their lives were lost, a quiet reminder of the lives cut short too soon. It was replaced in time for the 60th Anniversary But it is clear that we owe these men and women a tribute far greater than what currently stands in their honour as the carved one is now badly weather damaged. It is time to replace this memorial with something that truly reflects their sacrifice and ensures their legacy endures for generations to come.
We propose the creation of a new, four-sided carved memorial, one that will stand as a lasting tribute to the lives lost in the Sutton Wick air crash. Each side of the memorial will tell a unique and important part of the story.
One side will recount the story of the Blackburn Beverley XH117Z crash—a story of courage, loss, and a community’s resilience. It will describe the final moments of the aircraft, the heroic efforts of the rescuers and the impact of that tragic day.
The second side will proudly feature the names of the local victims and the local residents who went into harms way to try and rescue those caught in the incident. . Their names will be etched in stone as a permanent reminder of the ultimate sacrifice they made.
The third side will honour the Royal Air Force crews from both Squadrons onboard, 53 Squadron and 47 Squadron. It will speak to the heart of a community as many of the crews and their family lived locally.
The fourth side will feature the 8 RAF Police dog handlers and their dogs who were heading to Cyprus for their first overseas posting.
The memorial will remind us all that the memory of those who lost their lives in the Sutton Wick crash is not just a part of the past, but an ongoing legacy of courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of service.
But this vision cannot come to life without your support. To replace the existing memorial with something that truly honours the fallen, we need your help. We are asking for donations to fund the creation and installation of this new, four-sided memorial—one that will ensure these human women are never forgotten.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us carve their names into history, build a monument that better captures the story of their sacrifice, and preserve the memory of those who gave everything on that fateful day.
Together, we can ensure that the story of the Blackburn Beverley XH117Z and those who perished that day is passed down to future generations.
Let us honour the past. Let us remember their courage. Let us build a future where their legacy is never forgotten.
Please, donate today, and stand with us in creating a fitting tribute to those we lost in Sutton Wick.
Thank you.
