JCI Belgium
JCI Staines
Why JCI Staines exists
“JCI Staines” was born out of one of the darkest moments in the history of JCI Belgium, and out of the strength and solidarity that followed.
In June 1972, Belgian JCI members were returning home from the European Conference in Edinburgh. After a stopover in London Heathrow, most boarded British Airways flight BA548 to Brussels. Some members decide to take the boat (Jan Christiaens) or miss the plane (Michel Swenden). At 17:19, just after take-off, the plane crashed in Staines, near London. All 118 passengers lost their lives. Among them were several JCI leaders and their partners, people who were deeply engaged in building JCI, serving others, and shaping the future:
- Pierre Warmoes (Brussels), National President JCI Belgium, and his wife Christiane Warmoes — parents of three children
- Carlo Van Bavel (Antwerp), Vice President Programs JCI Belgium — father of two children
- Jean-Jacques Tiroux (Charleroi), Vice President Operations JCI Belgium — father of four children
- Michel Cesar (Brussels), JCI Officer for Europe and Africa
- Roald Wold (Antwerp), Vice President JCI Antwerp
- Jean-Luc Meyers (Liège), President of the Tourism Commission of the European Conference
- Peter Abrams (Ghent), Secretary JCI Ghent, and his wife Maggy Abrams — parents of three children
The name of Roger Godin (Verviers), national president 1970 and VP 1971, was added to the list, when he died in a car crash in April 6, 1972, together with his wife Bernadette (3 children).
A memorial service was organised in the cathedral of Brussels, with the presence of JCI World President Royce Pepin.
On June 24, 1972 the Board of Directors proposes the establishment of a foundation to support the family of the deceased member with direct and indirect fiancial and moral support. Financial means are gathered through individual members, international donations and JCI. Each year there is a contribution from JCI Belgium. The establishment of the Staines Foundation was approved on September 22, 1972.
The Staines Foundation wants to thank every member and all international organisations for their generous support.
JCI Staines Memorial video
Documentary (26 minutes)
Staines Memorial Day
Every year, a Memorial Service is held for the victims of the flight London – Brussels which crashed in the meadows of Staines on 18 June, 1972.
This service is organised exactly on the same day as the disaster. A Prayer Service starts at 10:00 am at the memorial site (Water Drive – Staines), followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 am in the church of Saint Mary’s (Church Street – Staines). The service is always in a different format (with music, speeches,…) and is followed by an informal reception. This gives everyone the opportunity to meet the relatives and friends of the victims of this terrible accident.
June 18, 2026, marks the 54rd anniversary of the tragic accident in Staines that claimed the lives of several JCI members.
Memorial ceremonies were also held in Belgium:
- 18 June 1992: 20 years – Sankt Vith
- 28 June 1997: 25 years – Dilbeek (Itterbeek)
- 22 June 2002: 30 years – Brussels
To remember the victims, on June 22 2002, a tree was planted on Square Orban, Brussels.
Facebook group JCI Staines Memorial.
