31ST MAY
Today, 31st May, sees the 82nd anniversary of the earthquake at Quetta, Balochistan, British India, which is now part of Pakistan. Harvey’s grandparents and mother, who was a child at the time, were caught up in the disaster which killed between 30,000 and 60,000 people.
Quetta Earthquake 1935 – Buildings were reduced to rubble
Harvey’s grandad, Cyril Ellen, was the squadron leader of No 5 (AC) Squadron which was based at Quetta and his grandmother, Gladys Ellen (nee Gardner), was awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind Silver Medal for the part she played in the rescue effort.
The earthquake struck in the early hours and the RAF suffered heavy losses in the airmen’s barracks. Conditions were horrendous during the days and weeks which followed.
It appears that Cyril remained in Quetta until he took a flight to Karachi on 20th June. The family sailed from India on 20th July, arriving back in England on 9th August.
We have no precise details of Gladys’ contribution in the aftermath of the quake but the Muswell Hill Record & Friern Barnet Journal paid tribute to the bravery she displayed in the rescue work.
The Kaisar-i-Hind Silver medal awarded to Gladys Ellen
Handy links:
- A web page where I’ve detailed Cyril and Gladys’ experience of the earthquake including photographs and copies of documents. I’ve also transcribed an excerpt from the RAF Operations Record Book giving an account of the earthquake.
- Photographs taken by Cyril after the earthquake.
