{"id":2281,"date":"2017-05-31T07:55:31","date_gmt":"2017-05-31T06:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hibbittbarnes.uk\/blog\/?p=2281"},"modified":"2025-07-02T12:40:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T11:40:06","slug":"on-this-day-remembering-the-quetta-earthquake-of-1935","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hibbittbarnes.uk\/blog\/on-this-day-remembering-the-quetta-earthquake-of-1935","title":{"rendered":"On This Day – Remembering The Quetta Earthquake Of 1935"},"content":{"rendered":"

31ST MAY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Quetta

Quetta Earthquake 1935 – Buildings were reduced to rubble<\/p><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Kaisar-i-Hind Silver medal awarded to Gladys Ellen<\/p><\/div>\n

Handy links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n