29 Jun 2021

2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Gulf War. The RAF deployed a large force of Tornado GR1 and Jaguar attack and reconnaissance aircraft to the Middle East for Op GRANBY and sadly not all of the aircrew made it home. 14 Tornado/Jaguar aircrew lost in preparation for or during Op GRANBY.

RAF veterans Mal Craghill and Martin Wintermeyer cycled from St Eval in Cornwall to Washington, Tyne and Wear as part of a 690 mile challenge where on their journey they visited and laid wreaths at all the English grave sites of the Tornado aircrew lost in the Middle East 30 years ago, as well as the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to pay their respects at the Gulf War Memorial and the Armed Forces Memorial to remember all those who lost their lives in the conflict

Wing Commander Nigel Elsdon died on the first night of the Gulf War Air Offensive on 17 January 1991 when his Tornado aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire during a raid on an Iraqi airfield. He is laid to rest at St Vigor and All Saints Church, Fulbourn and was remembered later in the day by his sister Mrs Rosie Norman and close friends. Nigel was the most senior of the UK losses in the Gulf War and had deployed leading 27 Squadron from RAF Marham. The family lived in Fulbourn for many years and Rosie’s father had flown in the Battle of Britain and the Far East and her Grandfather flew with the Royal Naval Air Service in World War 1. Nigel’s crewman, Flight Lieutenant Max Collier died alongside him and was remembered at a ceremony at RAF Marham.

RAF Honington Station Commander Group Captain Dutch Holland attended the Service at Fulbourn, and Reverend (Squadron Leader) Buchan, Senior Padre at RAF Honington officiated at both Services alongside Reverend Alice Goodman of St Vigor’s and Reverend Nigel Uden Chaplain to Fulbourn Royal British Legion.

RAF Honington Station Commander Gp Capt Dutch Holland takes the salute at the memorial for Wg Cdr Nigel Elsdon

Remembering Wg Cdr Nigel Elsdon at St Vigor and All Saints Church, Fulbourn

Mal and Martin at the grave of Wg Cdr Elsdon