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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Wilton Endeavour on Monday 15 February 10 23:16 GMT (UK)

Title: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Wilton Endeavour on Monday 15 February 10 23:16 GMT (UK)
I am trying to find out info on a relative called Eric Sneddon. He was a Sub Lieutenant on a Heron aircraft. The Heron crashed on 20th February 1964 at Thornley in Somerset. Possibly he was a Midshipman. I have heard that he was a navigator on the flight. I found out the above info on the naval history website. I wonder if anyone has details of the accident? I also have a photo of him attached to this message. But i'm not sure how to identify what badge he has on his uniform or perhaps his uniform in general other than it being in Royal Navy white.

yours

Wilton Endeavour
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Wilton Endeavour on Tuesday 16 February 10 19:01 GMT (UK)
It should be the RAF that he was in and not the Royal Navy.

Wilton Endeavour
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Flakdodger on Tuesday 16 February 10 23:15 GMT (UK)
Hello again Wilton Endeavour,
may I offer a mid-course correction, please, having looked at the naval history website.
Eric is Royal Navy (Fleet air Arm)
Heron is his base (not an aircraft type) HMS Heron is RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
Had a look round for Thornley, there appears to be a town near Durham.
Cheers
Dave
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: mmm45 on Tuesday 16 February 10 23:45 GMT (UK)
Heron, air crash at Thornley, Somerset

 SNEDDON, Eric, Sub Lieutenant

 STEENSON, George A, Sub Lieutenant

Thursday 20th Feb 1964 was date

Source: RN Deaths 1945-2009

His record will still be with MOD.You may be able to apply for copy if you have NOK permission.

I think it should read Thornleigh...near Ilminster thats pretty close to Heron.
Ady
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: kyt on Thursday 18 February 10 12:43 GMT (UK)
I've taken the liberty of asking the chaps over on rafcommands because I don't have the right book to help you with the crash details:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?p=44364#post44364

K
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Wilton Endeavour on Thursday 18 February 10 19:36 GMT (UK)
All noted Dave, KYT and Ady,
So he was in the Navy and not the RAF.
I don't think i'm next of Kin as he was in my Grandpa's side of the family.
Will keep checking on here to see what more info you can some up with.

yours

Wilton Endeavour
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Wilton Endeavour on Thursday 18 February 10 20:19 GMT (UK)
www.ukserials.com lists it as the following:-

f/f 14/08/1959
d/d 07/09/1959
w/o 20/02/1964 (possibly means written off), not sure what those two abbreviations mean above, first flight?

It was sold as scrap on 23/09/1964 at Lee-on-Solent to H H Bushell and Company of Birmingham.

Crashed at Summerways Farm in Somerset whilst on a night GCA radar approach to Yeovilton.

766 Naval Air Squadron. It was a two seater aircraft carrying a pilot and an observer.

Wilton Endeavour
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Harry O on Saturday 09 July 11 08:14 BST (UK)
Hello,
If you are still looking for info on this I think I can help.

I actually own the land where this crash happened.

The facts are;
1)The aircraft was a DeHavilland Sea Vixen and I believe Eric was the navigator.
2) The aircraft was returning to Yeovilton around 6pm and suffered major engine problems possibly down to bird strike.
3) The village is actually called Thorney not Thornley and is between Langport and Martock in Somerset.

My ex next door neighbour was the first on the scene and has told me his story in detail many times. He is still alive and lives a few miles away.

Hope this is of some use.

Best Regards

Harry O
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Wilton Endeavour on Saturday 09 July 11 10:46 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update Harry.

Yes it is useful in what happened to Eric. If you can provide anything further, it would be appreciated.

Wilton Endeavour
Title: Re: Crash at Thornley in 1964
Post by: Greatgrape on Wednesday 22 September 21 17:16 BST (UK)
Hi
Are you still looking for information about Eric Sneddon?  What was your relation to him?   He was my mothers older brother.

Thanks