Memorial for 34 Croydon schoolboys killed in tragic air disaster urgently in need of repair

In 1961, a schoolboy won the toss of a coin and secured his place on a plane for a school trip.

In a bitter twist of fate, the winning of that coin toss would see the teenager lose his life alongside 33 other pupils in one of the most tragic chapters in Croydon’s history.

A chartered viking aircraft, which was carrying 34 pupils from The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy in Croydon, was making its way to Sola Airport in Stavanger, Norway on August 9, 1961. 

It was the boys’ first school trip abroad. For a year they had worked Saturday jobs and their families had saved hard to afford the luxury. Some dropped out last minute, opting for a cheaper holiday to Austria by rail instead. 

But as it crossed over Holtaheia Mountain in poor weather conditions, the plane crashed. 

All 34 children – aged between 13 and 16 – were killed instantly, as well as two teachers and three air crew members.

The wreckage, 1,700ft up the mountain side, was not found until the following day. All the bodies were flown back to Croydon for a mass funeral.

The cause of the disaster was never formally identified.

Peter Crouch, now 79, was a pupil at The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy and lost his 15-year-old twin brother, Geoffrey, in the disaster.

He said: “After Geoffrey died, my parents were never the same again. 

“A sort of light went out in dad’s eyes and I don’t think he ever truly recovered from it. 

“I would love to see the Lanfranc School Memorial brought up to scratch as a tribute to all those young lives that were lost before they had learned to live.”

The families still gather informally every year on August 9, at the Lanfranc School Memorial, in Croydon Crematorium.

Although the tragedy drew widespread national publicity at the time, it has faded from memories over the years, even in Croydon. 

The memorial has fallen into disrepair, name plaques have been damaged, inscriptions faded, broken paving slabs scattered and trees left damaged.

Ahead of the 65th anniversary of the tragedy next year, the Archbishop Lanfranc Academy has launched a fundraiser in the hope that the site’s former dignity can be restored.

A crowdfunding page has raised £3,079 of its £60,000 target for repairs. All funds raised will be held by The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy and managed by appointed trustees.

Principal, Simon Trehearn, said: “It’s a sad but very important part of the school’s history. 

“We take all of our new Year 7 students along to Croydon Crematorium and talk to them about the tragedy. 

“They, and the rest of the school, reflect on it during assemblies and tutor times. 

“We have Memorial Day on the first Monday in July every year, and on the actual anniversary members of staff visit the garden and lay flowers, although it is during the school holidays. 

“We think it’s important the garden remains a pleasant and well cared for place where people can reflect on the tragedy and find peace in an otherwise busy life and busy area of Croydon.”

To donate, visit: https://www.goodhub.com/go/lanfranc-memorial

Pictured top: The faded memorial in Croydon Crematorium which remembers the 34 schoolboys who lost their lives in the crash (Picture: Archbishop Lanfranc Academy)