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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Wilton Endeavour on Monday 15 February 10 23:16 GMT (UK)
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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
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It should be the RAF that he was in and not the Royal Navy.
Wilton Endeavour
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Hi
Are you still looking for information about Eric Sneddon? What was your relation to him? He was my mothers older brother.
Thanks