A charity set up to commemorate the loss of 270 lives in the bombing of Pan American Airways Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on 21 December 1988 has unveiled plans to establish a new museum, which will include a Wall of Honour to acknowledge the 110+ organisations that were involved in the initial search and recovery operations and the ongoing criminal investigation.
Victoria Cummock, widow of Pan Am 103 passenger John Binning Cummock, is the Founder & CEO of the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation (PA103LLF), established to maintain public awareness of the bombing, to honour the memory of the 270 victims and to advocate for stronger aviation security standards and more effective assistance for bereaved families.
HM Coastguard recently responded to PA103LLF’s request for eyewitness accounts of the incident, as recalled by retired Sector Manager for the Solway coast, Tony Wood. Tony was on duty at the time and as one of the first on scene, helped to establish a helicopter landing site and co-ordinate subsequent aircraft activity near the small Scottish town.
In response to PA103LL’s invitation for HM Coastguard to provide its crest for the Wall of Honour, Divisional Commander Susan Todd visited Lockerbie, where she joined Tony Wood and his wife Jen for a tour of the former Dryfesdale and Trinity Church, which will become the new Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum.
The HM Coastguard plaque was received by Victoria Cummock, UK Director Mike Thomson, and UK Community Engagement and Development Manager John Palser.
Susan said: “Meeting Victoria and hearing of her personal loss, but also her drive to provide a legacy to the 270 people who lost their lives, gave us cause to reflect upon the true cost of the bombing, to Lockerbie and to communities on both sides of the Atlantic.”
“It was an honour to represent HM Coastguard at this important occasion where Coastguards were acknowledged for the part they played by responding to the incident that December night in 1988.”
She added: “It was especially poignant to see and hear Tony discuss his recollections, thoughts and feelings in this very significant place.”
Victoria Cummock said: “I was overwhelmed with joy to meet and put a face to one of the thousands of nameless saints who responded to the deadliest terrorist attack in UK and US history until the attacks on 11 September 2001.
“I was honoured to be able to personally express my gratitude to one who personified a beacon of hope, humanity and inspiration for the victims’ families and the world. It was a privilege to hear Tony’s story of service and of its’ lasting impact on him, his colleagues and family.
She added: “Our aspiration is to add Tony’s story into our Legacy Story Archive, which will ultimately become part of the permanent Wall of Honour Exhibition in the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum.”
