For nearly four decades, Betty Goodge has carried the weight of an unthinkable loss, the death of her 18-year-old son, Simon, in one of the worst tragedies to hit the Royal Air Force’s musical community.
Simon Goodge, a talented saxophonist and clarinetist, was one of 19 RAF musicians killed when their bus collided with an aviation tanker in Germany on 11 February 1985. A total of 21 people lost their lives in the crash, which occurred as the Band of the Royal Air Force Germany was travelling to a performance in Bavaria.
A Call That Changed Everything
The accident happened the day before Simon’s father, Alec Goodge, was due to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Betty still remembers the moment she learned about the crash. A friend, having heard the news on the radio, called her:
“I knew straight away… But I wasn’t aware of the tragedy that unfolded.”
Determined to find her husband, Betty sought help from neighbours, eventually tracking him down at a restaurant in London. That night, two RAF officers knocked on their door, confirming their worst fears.
A Passion for Music, A Future Cut Short
Simon’s love for music began early. His parents, despite not owning a car, made sure he could attend performances, his father transporting him and his instruments on the back of a motorbike.
He auditioned for the RAF Band at just 17 and was stationed at RAF Uxbridge before moving to RAF Cranwell. His talent and dedication led to an invitation to join the prestigious RAF band in Germany, a role that took him across Europe.
Betty still holds on to their final conversation, a phone call from Germany, where Simon excitedly spoke about an upcoming performance at RAF Winter Survival School.
“He was getting quite excited. It was going to be a good gig, as he called it. They would have a few beers and he would have a lovely, lovely time.”
Like any 18-year-old, Simon had big dreams, he was learning to drive, making plans for the future, and embracing every moment of his musical career.
A Village in Mourning
Harlington, the Bedfordshire village where Simon grew up, fell silent the day after the crash.
“You never think you’ll know anyone involved in something like this. The next day, the village was so, so quiet. We weren’t able to take it in.”
Simon was well known and loved, especially for his music at Harlington Upper School. His mother describes him as a “sweet, gentle soul”, a young man full of kindness and promise.
“As people who have lost children know, it is the worst thing that can happen.”
Remembering Simon
Each year, Betty attends memorial services honouring the fallen musicians. This year, on Tuesday, she will pay tribute to her son at a service at RAF Northolt.
Simon is buried in a military cemetery in Germany, next to his close friend and fellow musician, Philip Smith.
Though 40 years have passed, his memory endures, not just in his mother’s heart, but in the music he once played and the lives he touched.
