Episode 208 - The Forgotten Crash: Uncovering the Story of St. Martin-in-the-Woods Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

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In the stillness of a dense Newfoundland forest, a hidden cemetery whispers a tale both tragic and triumphant. This week on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast Jennie and Dianne explore the St. Martin-in-the-Woods Cemetery, a plane crash site turned burial ground in the autumn of 1946.
Among the victims were refugees who had endured the Holocaust, seeking a new beginning, only to face another devastating loss. This November, we reflect on gratitude amidst tragedy, honoring those who came to the rescue of survivors and remembering those whose lives were ended.
To see photos of the cemetery, view this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/G1c1uAPmUdg?si=EC2eO-P_0k2E5un4
Cemetery Photos taken by Anan Sahadi 05/12/2022 and posted to www.findagrave.com
Photos of survivor being transferred to a raft and Gander rescue helicopter team: U.S. Coast Guard on file in the Public Domain
Photo of Dr. Samuel Martin and rescue published in The Denver Post, September 24, 1946
Follow this link to view additional photos and listen to broadcast footage:
http://www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/_html_4658/Sabena_crash.htm
Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast merch now available! https://oecemetery.etsy.com
Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast special tea blend, Cemetery Story, can be purchased here:
https://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/blend.html?blend=231274
Resources used to research this episode include:
Historical Society, Gander Airport. "Sabena Crash 1946." http://www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/. www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/_html_4658/Sabena_crash.htm. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Arklie, Bob. "St. Martin-in-the-Woods 26 OF 44 PASSENGERS WERE KILLED ." http://www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/. 12 Nov. 1975. www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/_html_4658/stMartins.htm. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
O’Leary, USCG (Ret), Warrant Gunner R.J. "The Day I Was Ten Feet Tall." http://www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/. www.ganderairporthistoricalsociety.org/_html_4658/TenFeetTall.htm. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
, National Air & Space Museum . "The Evolution of the Commercial Flying Experience ." https://airandspace.si.edu/. airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/evolution-commercial-flying-experience#:~:text=gum%20at%20all!-,1941%2D1958,travel%20surged%20to%20new%20levels. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
, Gander International Airport . "Our History ." https://ganderairport.com/. ganderairport.com/about-giaa/our-history/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
, Associated Press. "At Least 5 to 7 Survive Plane Crash." The Sun Times [Ontario ], Last ed., 19 Sep. 1946, p. 1.
Cross, United States Coast Guard (Retired), Captain Sean M. "18 September 1946 ." https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/. 18 Oct. 2024. www.thisdayinaviation.com/18-september-1946/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Death certificates scanned and uploaded to www.ancestry.com