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Original poster

Remembering Lockerbie and Pan Am 103

58 replies

CormoranStrike · 21/12/2018 08:36

It’s hard to believe that it has been 30 years since 259 in the skies and 11 people in the town were killed in the Lockerbie bombing.

270 families and circles of friends who were never the same again, whose losses were heavy and heart-breaking.

As with many major incidents I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing.

News coming out on the radio and an instant appeal for blood donors - then all too soon the news that donors would not be required after all.

Thinking of them all today, including the first responders - official and locals - for what they had to deal with.

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/12/2018 10:10

30 years. Its not just a conversation filler to say this. 'Time really goes nowhere'.
I was 13 years old when this happened.
RIP and Remembrance to the victims.
Love thoughts and prayers to their families and those involved.
I'll give this thread a few bumps.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/12/2018 10:11

Bump

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/12/2018 10:11

Bump

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 21/12/2018 10:12

Bump

juneybean · 21/12/2018 10:12

My wife was just a newborn so had no idea this had happened until we googled it a couple of months ago, I didn't make the connection that it was coming up to 30 years, makes me feel old! Just not what you expect so close to home.

MrsJayy · 21/12/2018 10:14

I was watching STV news and they had a segment about people helping just devestating 30 years is a long time ago but those people alive or dead should never be forgotten.

Chickenpie9 · 21/12/2018 10:16

Read how wonderful the people of Lockerbie were with the victims possessions washing and ironing the clothes in their suitcases sorting out all the other personal items from suitcases and returning them to the families not even interested in any kind of public thanks just wanting to help . I was only tiny when this happened but my great aunt lived fairly near Lockerbie and worked in a nursing home and spoke of their being asked to provide as many blankets as possible .

MrsJayy · 21/12/2018 10:19

I was 17 and you didn't have the rolling news like you do now so when it was on the news you stopped to watch.

Victoria Derbyshire programme is talking about it now

DMCChristmasCakes · 21/12/2018 10:20

I have many family in Lockerbie. None of them were physically hurt, but the emotional damage of what they saw and dealt with will never leave them.

Thinking of all those affected today.

Nicknacky · 21/12/2018 10:29

My dad worked in the mortuary when they discovered it was a bomb and not an accident and I think he has been affected this year with the 30 year anniversary. He’s never been back to Lockerbie but is planning to visit the memorial on the anniversary of the date he started working there.

Watching the recent documentaries about the tragedy has been really touching with how the locals, Salvation Army, WRVS etc all pulled together. On a slightly lighter note, dad was saying last night that the spread of food that was laid on for the emergency services was unbelievable.

He ate a mars bar as he couldn’t face food.

I’m particularly sad for Stephen and David Flanagan who lost their mum, dad and sister who lived in Lockerbie, Stephen was visiting a friend so survived. Both Stephen and David both died at young ages.

RIP to all the souls.

IPromiseIWontBeNaughty · 21/12/2018 10:31

I remember this. May their souls RIP.

Flowers to all those affected.

LoisWilkerson1 · 21/12/2018 10:36

Yes I was 10 years old and remember it so clearly. We live about 20 miles from Lockerbie and the images on the news were horrific. I remember feeling a wave of despair for the the families, my first real memory of feeling this way about something.

Original poster
CormoranStrike · 21/12/2018 10:45

I remember being in church the Sunday after and the priest praying for them, but explaining if the bomb has gone off only two minutes or so later our town would have been the one it landed on.

That made it all the more real and maaaivwly loves the young me.

OP posts:
Original poster
CormoranStrike · 21/12/2018 10:46

*massively moved

OP posts:
ElfOnTheShelfAteMyJoy · 21/12/2018 10:47

I was 12, and remember everything coming to a standstill, and the shock and sadness everywhere.
RIP to all.

treaclesoda · 21/12/2018 10:49

I remember this so clearly. Despite having grown up very familiar with terrorism, this event was probably the one that first alerted me as to how utterly evil people can be.

MrsJayy · 21/12/2018 10:50

Do any of you remember Emmerdale doing a plane crashing into the village the next year it was in such bad taste

treaclesoda · 21/12/2018 10:51

Yes, I remember the Emmerdale thing and wondering at how anyone could offer that up as light entertainment.

TheMerryWidow1 · 21/12/2018 10:53

I remember the couple who found someone in their field still strapped into his seat and they looked after him until the authorities could take over. It has always stayed with me, what a lovely couple to think of the deceased and be so respectful.

IPromiseIWontBeNaughty · 21/12/2018 10:55

I stopped watching emmerdale after that. Poor taste.

MacarenaFerreiro · 21/12/2018 10:56

We have relatives not far from Lockerbie and I remember it vividly. I was 16 at the time.

Thinking of all families on both sides of the Atlantic who are remembering a loved one today.

PiggyPlumPie · 21/12/2018 10:58

Remember it like it was yesterday. There was a programme on last week I think, maybe just in Scotland.

They interviewed a policeman who was 18 at the time, as was I. He said that at the time and the age he was he didn't really get it IYSWIM. It's only as you age and gain life experience that the horror truly hits you.

I could really resonate with this. At 18, I knew it was a terrible thing and felt sadness but at 48 I feel it so much more.

beenandgoneandbackagain · 21/12/2018 11:00

Awful, just awful. A terrible tragedy for all involved, and perhaps the beginning of people starting to understand the machinations and manipulations of government. I saw a play about it at Edinburgh Fringe some years ago and the entire audience was in tears.

Lockerbietruth.com is a website by Dr Jim Swire, whose daughter, Flora, was on the plane.

PerkingFaintly · 21/12/2018 11:04

Holding all the families of those on the flight, and the people of Lockerbie, and those responded on the ground, in my thoughts these few days.

nickiredcar · 21/12/2018 11:10

They are in my thoughts.

As are all the lost souls from the two air Malaysia flights Sad