Urmston airman who died in Afghan plane crash honoured at Davyhulme War Memorial

On Sunday November 22, family and friends of42-year-old Gary Quilliam gathered at the Davyhulme Circle memorial for a special service in his name.

Sergeant Quilliam was killed when a RAF Nimrod MR2 aircraft crashed on September 2 2006, 12 miles from its destination of Kandahar air base. He died alongside 11 other colleagues from Number 120 Squadron.

As a mark of respect, Sergeant Quilliam’s name has been added to his local war memorial, which bears the names of other people who fought and died for their country.

Reverend Brian Cork, Mayor of Trafford John Holden, Trafford Council Leader Sean Anstee, Cllr John Reilly, and ward councillors June Reilly and Brian Shaw, also turned out to commemorate the airman at last Sunday’s event.

Cllr Anstee said: “It is a privilege to be able to honour Sergeant Quilliam by including his name on the war memorial. His military career and those of the many thousands of men and women who have, and continue, to serve their country, is what enables us all to live the free, safe lives that we do.

“The sacrifices they continue to make, including the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for their country, is something we must all make sure is never forgotten.”

Sergeant Quilliam, who was known as ‘Q’ to colleagues, family and friends, lived in north Trafford until he achieved a lifelong ambition by joining the RAF in 1986 as airman aircrew.

He was a former pupil at Urmston Junior School and Wellacre Secondary Modern and was a cadet with the 182 Air Squadron in Flixton, where he got a flying scholarship and gained his pilot's licence at the age of just 17.

He was married to Rayna and the couple share a daughter, Angela.

Speaking after the recent service, Sergeant Quilliam’s sister Julia wrote: “Whilst the circumstances are sad, we were so proud to see Gary’s name on the memorial and delighted with the wonderful service. Everything was just perfect and the sun shone at just the right time.”