The story behind the Website
This website came about as a direct result of a BBC Radio 4 broadcast in the Series Life Changing moments in which Harriet Ware-Austin was interviewed by Jane Garvey for the BBC.
Vision
As we talked we discussed how we could mark this 50th anniversary of the accident that had impacted so so many lives. Many of us would like to have a permanent memorial somewhere but there were many decisions to be taken before we could proceed. However this website was conceived as way to both remember all 43 who lost their lives that day and perhaps build a community together that could provide support for each other.
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Maybe one day it could lead to the creation of a permanent memorial if a consensus emerges.
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See update in the tile below
How it started
Harriet’s two elder sisters were both killed in the accident and in this episode she talks about the impact it had on her family and her life in terms of both the immediate aftermath and also the longer term. Click here for a short preview.
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When the program was broadcast a number of us who had also been impacted reached out either directly or via the BBC to get in contact with Harriet and to share together our own memories and the impact it had on our lives.
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Update (27th Nov. 2022)
The British Embassy in Addis have agreed to Harriet's request of erecting a stone and a plaque to be a permanent memorial in the sunken garden at the embassy.
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The text will be as follows
In loving and lasting memory of all those who lost their lives as a result of the East African Airways accident at Bole Airport in Addis on April 18 1972. Always remembered by their families and friends.
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This would then be followed by an alphabetical list of the names of all 42 who lost their lives listing crew and passengers separately
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The unveiling is currently scheduled for early December 2022 and will be performed by the British Ambassador. Please contact us if you want to know more.
Update (18th Dec. 2022)
Memorial to the victims being set up at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa
The memorial plaque is now at the British Embassy in Addis and in the process of being mounted in the sunken garden at the embassy as a permanent memorial to all the victims.
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Harriet and Kishan were able to be there at the unveiling. More pictures will be posted in the British Embassy Memorial section of the Gallery page as they become available.
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Update November 2023
Memorial to the victims now set up at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa
The memorial plaque is now in its final position at the British Embassy in Addis in the sunken garden at the embassy as a permanent memorial to all the victims.
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Thanks to Harriet for enabling this memorial to all our loved ones. Please let us know if any of you manage to visit it in person.
Additional images available in the gallery section of the website.
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