As pupils at Fulwood Primary School stared out of their classroom window, they saw an aircraft steeply descend towards the ground. Moments later, a distant thud echoed across the fields. What they had just witnessed was the tragic crash of a Canberra aircraft piloted by Thomas Evans. Thomas was killed instantly. Today, a monument stands in Cottam to honor his memory, but what exactly happened that day and what caused the plane to go down?
Thomas’ early career
Thomas was an accomplished pilot, having joined the RAF in January 1941. By early 1942, he had earned his wings and was posted to India, where he flew Hurricanes over Western Burma. His skill and dedication saw him rise steadily through the ranks, being commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1944 and promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant in 1945.
He returned to the UK in late 1946 and spent several years working with a number of aviation firms before joining English Electric in 1950.
The fateful day
On 25 March 1952, Thomas was tasked with flying a Canberra bomber from Samlesbury to Warton Aerodrome. He was no stranger to the aircraft, having flown Canberras before including at the Farnborough Airshow just the year prior. With over 2,000 flying hours to his name and experience handling difficult situations, like a burst tyre on landing, Thomas was a highly capable pilot.
A colleague had been scheduled to accompany him on the flight as a flight-test observer. However, due to a problem with the safety equipment, Thomas ultimately took off alone. Less than five minutes into the flight, disaster struck.
Eyewitness Paul Lewis, who was at a nearby primary school recalled that ‘the aircraft [dived] and [went] out of sight’ followed by a thud and a ‘dark cloud of smoke’. Another described how the plane seemed to suddenly ‘dive to the earth like a bullet’.
Thomas burial
Thomas was killed, leaving behind four children. His signet ring was presented to his widow as confirmation of his identity and the funeral took place shortly afterwards. His coffin was draped with the Union Jack and adorned with a wreath shaped like a Canberra bomber. Although the service was attended by both military and political figures, he was laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Lytham St Annes. He was just 29 years old.
What caused the crash?
After an initial inquest failed to determine the cause of the crash, a full investigation was launched. The wreckage was transported to Samlesbury and carefully laid out in a hangar. The analysis proved difficult, as the aircraft had been travelling at 400 mph at the time of impact.
One other potential causes such as engine failure had been ruled out, investigators discovered a small, crushed spanner among the debris. Although it could not be conclusively proved, the cracking on the spanner suggested that it had likely gotten stuck in the plane’s mechanisms and jammed the flight controls.
Remembering Thomas
Forty years after Thomas’ death, his son Bryan flew over from Australia to trace his father’s grave and find out more about his family history. Bryan was disappointed to find out that his father was buried in an unmarked grave as he ‘served his country with distinction’. He swiftly commissioned a gravestone for his father.
More efforts have been made to commemorate Thomas and the event, the crash site became a housing estate with one of the roads being renamed ‘Canberra Lane’. This year, a memorial was unveiled featuring information boards and statues depicting a pilot, a jet engine and cockpit dials. Bryan also thanked the Parish Council for their work in ensuring his father’s sacrifice would be remembered.
The crash of Thomas Evans and his Canberra bomber was a tragedy that deeply affected Cottam. Over time, his memory has been properly honoured. From an unmarked grave to a permanent memorial, Thomas’s life and service are now visibly commemorated ensuring his bravery and sacrifice are never forgotten.
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