Martin Wade is on a mission to uncover stories about the tragic Llandow air crash that affected many lives in the community
Llandow: Martin Wade is diving deep into a tragic event that shook the community. He’s looking into what was once called ‘the world’s worst’ air crash. It claimed 80 lives out of 83 on board, with 36 victims from Gwent.
This disaster happened on March 12, 1950, when an airliner carrying Welsh rugby fans crashed while returning from a game against Ireland. It was near Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Martin, who used to write for the Argus, remembers how little attention this tragedy received over the years. He wants to change that and honor those who lost their lives, including players and coaches from local rugby clubs.
Many from pubs across Gwent were also among the victims. Martin shared that the coroner compared the crash’s impact to the colliery disasters that South Wales had faced in the past.
He’s been working on a book about the crash and is eager to gather more stories. Martin, who serves in the RAF Reserves, was involved in the rescue efforts at the time. His unit was based at Llandow, and they were among the first responders.
He recalls the shock they felt when they arrived at the scene, especially after discovering that their Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Bill Irving from Cwmbran, was among the deceased.
If anyone has connections or stories related to this event, Martin encourages them to reach out. He can be contacted at 07882 918255 or via email at martinwade97@gmail.com.
