A sad find in Ta Braxia Cemetery, Malta.
Robert John CHALMERS. Son of Doctor William Ian and Margaret Chalmers, cherished brother of Anne Victoria and Roderick. Born 8th February 1939 in Malta and died in an air crash over Nettuno, Italy on the 22nd October 1958. He was a Private 23573411 in the Black Watch and he was on British European Airways Flight 142 which was flying at 23,500 feet towards Naples when it collided with an F-86E near Anzio. The F-86E was the leading aircraft of four that were on a tactical training exercise when it hit the Viscount. Both aircraft crashed with the loss of all on board the Viscount. The F-86 pilot – Captain Giovanni Savorelli – ejected and survived
Extract from Malta Family History. St Andrew's Scots Church, Valletta, Malta.
The lectern was presented by Mrs Margaret Chalmers in memory of her 19 year old son Robert John Chalmers, who died on 22nd October 1958. He was born in Malta and in June 1958 went to Scotland since he had volunteered to do his National Service. He joined the Black Watch Regiment as a Private, and prior to starting an Officers Training course he was granted leave.
On 22nd October 1958 he boarded a British European Airways flight to Naples en route to Malta, but over the Italian town of Nettuno the Viscount Aircraft was hit by a Sabre Fighter jet aircraft of the Italian Air Force and crashed, all the 31 people on board lost their lives. His family arranged for his body to be returned to the island and his funeral conducted by the Reverend Scott Currie took place on 29th October 1958 with full military honours in Ta Braxia cemetery.
His father Dr William Ian CHALMERS born 1911 died 11th January 1959 of leukaemia and his mother Margaret Campbell Chalmers born 1913 and died in Edinburgh on 17th February 2001.
In living memory of Alistair David Robert CHALMERS, (Traded as Inedita Foilboards Ltd) son of Roderick and Mary Rose CHALMERS and cherished brother of Amanda and Nicholas, born 1981 died 10th June 2012. At rest in Ta Braxia Cemetery, Malta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_European_Airways_Flight_142
http://www.vickersviscount.net/Index/VickersViscount063History.aspx
http://veterans.mod.uk/roll-of-honour.php?SerialNo=A2025
