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BBC Homepage Wales Home Beacons air crash survivor more from this section Last updated: 06 August 2007 Brecon Beacons The aircraft in which Frank 50th anniversary Beacons air crash survivor Stokes was traveling with his Brave the Beacons pilot crashed into the Brecon BBC Local Beacons mountains in January related bbc.co.uk links 1945. Realising the pilot was Mid Wales History Mini Site severely injured, Frank Brecon Mini Site Things to do managed to stagger over two People & Places miles in the snow - crossing related www links Nature & Outdoors two streams in the process, despite suffering lacerated shins Brecon Beacons National Park - Frank History and a compression fracture of the spine. This is his story: Stokes Religion & Ethics Arts & Culture More World War 2 stories... Music TV & Radio "I was initially called up to London in January 1944, a year Local BBC Sites before the War would end. After preliminary training at News Usworth, County Durham, then brief postings to Bridlington Sport and Yatesbury, I found myself at RAF No. 4 Radio School, Weather RAF Madley, . After initial training in Radio Operation, Travel actual flying Training was started. Neighbouring Sites North East Wales Several airborne exercises had been successfully completed, North West Wales and without appearing complacent, there was no hint or South East Wales concern that there would be any problem with the next. South West Wales On Friday January 12 1945, at about 14.00hrs with Flt. Lt Related BBC Sites Wales Thomas as pilot, (a sort of taxi driver), I set out on another Cymru routine airborne radio training exercise. There was a healthy Canolbarth covering of snow on the ground, but the runway had been cleared.

Once airborne, it was beautifully clear above the cloud ceiling and the exercise was proceeding normally and perhaps a little mundanely.

After flying for some time, I noticed a sudden change in the light conditions. I looked up and saw that the aircraft was entering cloud: the pilot was descending.

I think there was a fair degree of turbulence when suddenly the aircraft's engine tone changed dramatically, consistent with an attempt to gain altitude rapidly.

From that moment events happened alarmingly quickly. I glanced up and could clearly see the mountain looming directly ahead of us, as pilot Thomas continued his urgent and ultimately futile attempts to climb.

The port wing struck a rocky outcrop and the aircraft slewed to the left, coming to rest on a relatively flat patch of ground; I was rendered unconscious.

On coming to, I discovered I was still in my seat, lying on my side. My shins were lacerated where I had struck the T1154 Transmitter and my right eye and bridge of nose were cut: I must have struck the R1155 Receiver.

I had also received a compression fracture of two spinal vertebrae, but did not know about that until much later. I was not wearing my seat belt, as it was usual to undo the lap strap when airborne!

Flight lieutenant Thomas had been thrown forward clear of the aircraft. He was lying on his back, unconscious, breathing heavily with blood oozing from his nose.

He was a heavy man, but I managed with some difficulty to turn him onto his side so that his air passages were less likely to become blocked. I then had the idea to try and wrap him in my parachute canopy for warmth, but as I pulled the ripcord, the canopy filled quickly and the strong wind carried it away. I simply didn't have the strength to hold it.

I thought about trying to set up a signal using the aircraft landing lights, but without any tools, this was an impossibility.

It was getting very late in the afternoon, and I decided I could not afford to hang around any longer, or we would both perish from exposure to the elements if not our injuries.

Thoughts of happier times passed through my mind as I looked at the desolation all around me. All I could see was the snow-covered mountaintop.

I set off in the direction of a downward slope. Fortunately, it was not too steep and despite my injuries, I moved at a fair pace with obvious urgency, I needed to get help to the pilot and quickly.

There were two streams, which had to be carefully negotiated. After a short while I looked to my left and could see a road (Brecon- Merthyr Tydfil), perhaps a mile away! When I eventually reached it, I found that I was near The Storey Arms Youth Hostel.

Fortunately, there was a Warden in residence. He was able to stop a passing motorist, and after giving the directions to the scene of the crash, I was taken to Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, by which time it was getting dark.

In Hospital, I was treated for the effects of shock and had my leg and facial wounds stitched and dressed. I remained in hospital for several weeks, during which time I made a slow but steady recovery.

Two senior RAF Officers came to attend my bedside early on, and conducted a preliminary investigation in the recovery ward.

It was only then that I learned with great sadness that F.Lt Thomas had not survived the crash.

F.Lt. Thomas's sister visited me in Hospital, which was very kind of her considering the grief and anguish she must have been experiencing at the tragic loss of her brother.

Perhaps she wanted to make sense of her brother's death or just meet someone who had been the last person to see him alive. She may have believed I had spoken with him after the crash, but that had not been possible as he was in a deep state of unconsciousness.

She was an intelligent, perceptive woman, an undergraduate at Newcastle upon Tyne University. I told her what I could about events and she went on her way. There was no further communication between us.

After discharge from Hospital, I returned to RAF , near Hereford. There I was X-rayed and told I had compression fractures of the 11th and12th dorsal vertebrae and told to return to bed without delay.

This all seemed somewhat pointless, as I had been walking around, albeit a little stiffly, from about the fourth day of being confined to hospital.

From Credenhill, I went to Cosford where a specialist examined me and decided I was to be sent to a convalescence unit at Blackpool, ah the benefits of healing Lancastrian sea air!

After several weeks recuperating in Blackpool, completing numerous tedious therapeutic exercises daily, I was returned in May 1945, to Madley. There I was able to finally complete my training as a Signaler and was also made up to the rank of Sergeant! Almost immediately, I became acquainted with the word 'redundant'.

I spent the next two years at RAF Hednesford, Staffordshire and RAF West Kirby, Wirral undertaking accountancy tasks for which I had retrained at RAF Kirkham, Lancashire.

Finally, I was discharged from the RAF in May 1947. I was given a 15% Disability pension, which was later reduced to 10% shortly afterwards, probably because I appeared to be remarkably fit, and later the pension was terminated with a final lump sum.

I should say that despite the injuries I sustained on a mountainside near Brecon, I have been fortunate in never at any time having suffered as a consequence.

Following the accident, The R.A.F. issued a rather generous citation for Distinguished Conduct.

It has always seemed a bit daft to be praising anyone for saving their own life and acting with a degree of common sense! After becoming acquainted with Eddie Doylerush, I learned a bit more about F.Lt. Thomas. He had been a pilot at RAF Valley, Anglesey where Roy Sloan worked as a civilian.

It's an ill wind that blows no good for anybody and so it was for me. My stay in Hospital at Merthyr Tydfil was a life changing experience I would not have missed for anything.

I have been back to The Brecon Beacons. The first time was whilst I was still under the care of the Hospital. I went with a local man and walked some way up the mountain, but I do not know if I was anywhere near the site of the crash.

Other than this I have toured the area around the Beacons with Myrtle my wife (who sadly died in May 2004), though we never attempted to walk or climb in the area." your comments

Jennifer Stokes, I have never heard that story before until i had to learn about the wars, dad told us the whole story about grandad and i was really shocked at what he did, and was amazazed, my grandad was brave!!! Sun Mar 14 19:48:27 2010

Jennifer Stokes, Northallerton I can't beleive my grandad did that, he was really brave! Sun Feb 7 18:46:47 2010

David Fairclough An amazing story Frank, you can only imagine the strength it took to make that journey to raise the alarm Tue Sep 22 09:14:42 2009

Rebecca Beckh (nee Watts) Surrey I would like to get in touch with Stephen Binnie (he asks that he be contacted by email but there is no address). I am his cousin, his mother was my father's sister. I have heard the story of my his father through my later father and would be interested in getting in touch with Stephen if he doesn't mind. Wed Jul 9 14:49:10 2008

Frank Stokes This morning I received from Edward Doylerush a copy of his latest book, 'ROCKS in the CLOUDS'. This is his final contribution to the documentation of High Ground Aircraft Crashes of South Wales. In it he refers to my Report of my crash on the Brecon Beacons (see above). . Wed Jan 30 09:44:17 2008

Cecily Stokes from Benfleet very very good! Thu Jan 17 09:15:18 2008

Frank Stokes, Crosby, Liverpool. The Plane was a Percival Proctor. NP 216. Tue Dec 25 19:50:56 2007

Paddy Doyle, Berkeley, Glos Does anyone know the type of plane Frank was flying in when it crashed ? Tue Dec 18 14:43:05 2007

Doug Miles, Waterloo, Liverpool I was fortunate to be accepted by my local in 1942 in which Frank Stokes was also a member.I have to admit that my selfish intention was only to play in their football side and in doing so met some talented lads whocould play a bit! As the age of eighteen approached, we all went our different waysand for the duration of the war lost touchwith one another.It was in 2006 that by an absolute fluke that Frank whilst emailing me briefly mentioned he had flown with the during the war in training and I really was impressed to the extent th! at I pressed him for more information. Initiallyit was difficult to get as I soon learned that Stokes'y was the most modest guy I have ever known. In attemting to get Frank to let me write to his old Grammar School about his brave wartime experiences, he rather bluntly told me 'cool down', 'drop it' and words to that effect!. So much so, I knew that I had unintentionally offended him.It is no surprise to me that Sergeant F Stokes RAF behaved as bravely as he did to try and save his comrade's life.He is a great guy and I admire him so much more for his extreme modesty. Well done Frank! Tue Nov 27 08:23:26 2007

Stephen Binnie, Colchester Essex I read this account with interest as my father the late Ft Lieutenant Charles William Binnie was stationed there as an instructor. One morning in January 1944 he was instructing as pilot/radio and the aircraft a Proctor Mk 3 LZ 652 ANCS SIG was over Oswestry and the port wing dropped off. He and the corporal could do nothing and crashed there, both being killed. I have for some time been trying to find out more about my father and his stay at Madley and this acticle is the first I have come across on the net. Anyone with any information might be kind enough to contact me at my email address. Sun Nov 11 18:11:13 2007

Marc Compain Saint Pierre, Peronne, France Much interesting for me because I have been qualified as W/OP.AIR in 1945. By the way, since I am seeking documents/photos of Madley Radio School, would anyone be kind enough to send me some of these. Many thanks in advance. Sun Jul 8 19:55:28 2007

Angela Magee, Barry, Wales I'm lucky enough to know Frank as a result of having seen this report when I worked at the Brecon Beacons National Park as PR Officer. Every time I drive past the Storey Arms I think of how it must have been for him that day, walking in such pain trying in vain to save his colleague. Thank you for publishing Frank's unique story here and giving more people the opportunity to read it. I know that everybody who read it when I was at the Park was touched by his modesty and dry humour. I now class him as one of my dearest friends. Fri May 11 10:23:32 2007

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