John Hamblin's Research: Surnames A-B

Aitken, William John Sergeant 1365571

1444 Flight, No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit, Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 10th of July 1942 aged 19
William John Aitken was born at Jinja, Uganda on the 20th of June 1923 the elder son of William S. Aitken, a veterinary surgeon, and Maude Emily (nee Woods) Aitken of Hammerview Terrace, Gullane, East Lothian, later of 32, Craiglockhart Drive, South Edinburgh.
He was educated at George Watson's College until 1940 after which he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 30th of September 1940. He trained as a pilot, rose to the rank of Sergeant and obtained his "Wings" in September 1941. He served firstly with Bomber Command, where he took part in many operations over enemy territory, and was later attached to No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit.
On the 1st of July 1942, William Aitken and his crew took off from RAF Lyneham in Hudson Mk IIIA FH319 on the first leg of a ferry flight to the Far East. They landed at RAF Portreath later in the day where they refuelled and took off again, landing at Gibraltar the following day.
At 7.11am on the morning of the 10th of July 1942 they took off from Gibraltar bound for Bathurst in the Gambia for the next leg of their journey. Seven minutes after taking off, when the aircraft was about a mile out to sea, it suddenly dived into the sea killing all on board.
The crew was: -
Sergeant William John Aitken (Pilot)
Sergeant John Harvey (Observer)
Sergeant Richard John Lucas Jones RNZAF (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Eric Vernall (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Rescue boats were immediately dispatched to the area where they recovered the body of Richard Jones. Eric Vernall’s body was later recovered from the sea off the Spanish coast near Tarifa.
He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial Panel 3 Column 2

Alexander, Douglas James Corporal 3064352

D Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Scots (Royal Regiment)
Killed in action on the 18th of April 1944 aged 33
Douglas James Alexander was born at Edinburgh the son of 2nd Lieutenant James Kidd Alexander, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) and Catherine Varo Alexander of 14, Findhorn Place, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1918 to 1927 when he left school to enter the service of The Edinburgh Savings Bank. He later moved to the Union Bank of Scotland Ltd and served with them at their branches in Glasgow and at Kirkcaldy. Following the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Scots in 1940, was posted to the 1st Battalion and left for India in 1943.
At the beginning of April 1944 the Battalion was based at Thondebhavi, Bangalore when they travelled by road and rail between the 4th and 6th of April to reinforce British and Indian forces at Imphal and Kohima.
They detrained at Amarada Road on the 11th April and left in groups by air from Jorhat, Guwahati and Dimapur airfields, after which they all assembled at Dimapur. At 3pm on the 15th of April they entered the defensive "Brigade Box" on the Imphal-Dimapur Road.
At 7.30am on the 16th of April C and D Companies moved to Khabvuma village where they relieved the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. On the 17th of April the Battalion pushed patrols out from the "Box" but found only abandoned enemy positions with local villagers reporting that they had seen no enemy troops in the area.
At 6am on the morning of the 18th of April 1944, D Company dispatched a patrol to make a reconnaissance of the Zuba River area. They returned at 11am with news that they had discovered enemy positions there and a fighting patrol was then sent out which killed four Japanese soldiers before returning at 4pm. In the meantime, the main body of D Company had moved out at 1pm and attacked Japanese positions but were pinned down by heavy enemy fire and suffered a number of casualties. A Platoon from B Company was sent out at 3pm to recover the wounded, under the cover of smoke fired by the artillery. At 5pm D Company withdrew back to Khabvuma village where they saw Japanese troops moving in front of their positions throughout the night. Douglas Alexander was among those killed during the day’s fighting.
His father, 2nd Lieutenant James Kidd Alexander 4th Battalion attached to the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), was killed in action on the 20th of September 1917.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at the Union Bank of Scotland.
He is buried at Kohima War Cemetery Plot 3 Row D Grave 3

Allsebrook, Anthony John Paymaster Sub Lieutenant (S) RNVR

HMS Barham, Royal Navy
Killed in action on the 25th of November 1941 aged 22
Anthony John Allsebrook was born in Berkshire in May 1919 the third and youngest son of Wilton Allsebrook JP, a manager, and Joan Charlotte (nee Cole) Allsebrook of Whapple Way, Ditchling in Sussex, later of Skegby Hall, Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire. He was educated at George Watson's College until 1929 when he went on to Edinburgh Academy from 1929 to 1932 where he was a member of the Shooting VIII and of the Officer Training Corps. On leaving school he was apprenticed to an engineering firm.
On the outbreak of war he had intended to join the Royal Air Force and applied to RAF Cranwell but was rejected due to colour blindness. Instead, he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as an Ordinary Seaman in September 1939 and served on board destroyers on patrols and at the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940. He was commissioned as a Paymaster Sub Lieutenant on the 6th of December 1940. He served on board the light cruiser HMS Orion, on the battleship HMS Barham (H04) and on the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean before later rejoining HMS Barham.
On the 24th of November 1941 HMS Barham, under the command of Captain Geoffrey Clement Cook RN, set sail from Alexandria as part of Force A with the Mediterranean Fleet. They were detailed to protect Malta and Alexandria based cruisers operating against Italian convoys which were resupplying enemy forces at Benghazi in Libya. At 4.29pm she was to the north of Sidi Barrani when she was hit by three torpedoes on the port side, between the funnel and Y turret, from a spray of four which had been fired by the U-Boat U-331, under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Diedrich Freiherr von Tiesenhausen. As she rolled over to port her aft magazines exploded and she sank four minutes later with the loss of 841 from her crew of 1,184 officers and men.
His brother, Major Wilton Pole Allsebrook 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire Derbyshire) Regiment, was killed in action on the 28th May 1940.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Edinburgh Academy.
He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Memorial Panel 60 Column 3

Baker, Harold Rolin Pilot Officer 107453

No. 51 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force
Killed on active service on the 7th of November 1941 aged 23
Harold Rolin Baker was born at New Barnet, Hertfordshire on the 3rd of November 1918 the eldest son of Ernest Samuel Baker and Jessie Helen (nee Holloway) Baker of 20, Morningside Park, Edinburgh, later of Rye Cottage, Warren Road, Deganwy in North Wales. He was educated at George Watson's College until 1936 after which he joined the civil service in 1938 and was appointed as an Officer in the Customs and Excise Department on the 23rd of January 1939.
On the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Border Regiment and later attended the Officer Cadet Training Unit at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst from where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regiment on the 7th of September 1940. He was posted to the 2/4th Battalion of his Regiment. He was married at Cambridge in 1941 to Lily Elsie (née Smith) of Andover.
He later transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a pilot and received his "Wings" on the 3rd of July 1941. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation on the 3rd of September 1941.
Harold Baker took off from RAF Cranfield in Blenheim Mk I L6748, with his Observer, Sergeant Arthur Reginald Grimstone, for a night wireless training flight. He had 25.20 hours of solo flying experience on Blenheims, of which 4.10 were at night and had 92.50 hours of total solo flying time in all aircraft types, of which 5 were at night. The night was moonlit. Having completed the exercise he made an approach to the runway but overshot it and was forced to go around again. On his second attempt he was throttling back while at low level but overshot the runway again and the aircraft hit the ground and crashed at Cold Splash Spinney, Bourne End, near North Crawley in Buckinghamshire at 7.30pm where it caught fire and he was killed. Sergeant Grimstone escaped from the aircraft with shock and slight burns.
Arthur Grimstone later made the following statement on the events that night: - "On the night of 7.11.41 I was Radio Observer in Blenheim L6748. We had completed our R/T homing exercise and made about 8 circuits, losing height all the time before requesting permission to land. We asked for and received permission to land but overshot at the first attempt. We went round again and overshot the downward funnels, flying at a low height and shortly afterwards struck the ground at a fairly flat angle."
Pilot Officer Arthur Reginald Grimstone DFM was later killed in action on the 14th of March 1945 while serving with 85 Squadron.
Wing Commander C. A. Pritchard, Officer Commanding the Training Wing, reported: - "This is one of those accidents that is most difficult to account for. The pilot was considered well above the average, but seems to have flown in without realising that he was near to the ground. His observer who escaped, reports that the engines and VHF were working perfectly, and that the pilot said nothing after acknowledging permission to land. I think the pilot was paying more attention to the aerodrome lights than to his instruments and failed to appreciate what he was doing."
His funeral took place on the 12th of November 1941.
He is buried at Llanrhos Churchyard Section 6 Grave 240

Barnes, Denys James Noel Sub Lieutenant (A) RNVR

828 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS St Angelo, Royal Navy
Killed in action on the 22nd of May 1942
Denys James Noel Barnes was born at Croydon in 1919 the only son of James Barnes, a paper manufacturer’s representative, and Albinia Frances (nee Sackett) Barnes of 25, Speer Road, Thames Ditton in Surrey. He was educated at George Watson’s College from 1928 to 1937. He went on to London University for two years before volunteering for the Fleet Air Arm on the outbreak of war.
He was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant (A) in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the 30th of December 1940 and was posted to the Middle East with a torpedo bomber Squadron.
On the evening of the 22nd of May 1942, Denys Barnes and his Observer, Sub Lieutenant (A) John Michael McCluskey of 830 Squadron, took off from RAF Hal Far in Albacore Mk I T9142 for a night operation. The aircraft failed to return from its mission.
His father received the following telegram: -
"From Admiralty. Deeply regret to inform you that your son Sub Lieutenant (A) D.J.N. Barnes is reported missing on active service"
He is commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent Memorial Bay 3 Panel 4

Barrie, Allan Robertson Private 13136

2nd (Selangor) Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force
Died on the 27th of May 1943 aged 29
Allan Robertson Barrie was born at Edinburgh on the 16th of April 1914 the younger son of John Barrie and Jeannie O. R. Barrie of 4, George Street, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1920 to 1931. He went on to Edinburgh University where he read Forestry and graduated B.Sc. in 1937. On leaving university he joined the Colonial Forestry Service in January 1938 and left for Malaya on board the P&O Liner Naidera, arriving at Singapore on the 27th of February 1938. He was appointed as an Assistant Conservator of Forests the following month. He was later appointed as the District Forestry Officer at Rawang. He was married to Louise Mary Cameron of Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, later of 401, Lanark Road, Edinburgh.
He enlisted as a Private in the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force and was captured on the surrender of Singapore on the 15th of February 1942. He was interned at Changi Barracks.
In early 1943, the Japanese called for a series of work parties to move to Borneo, Burma, Japan and Eastern Thailand to work on various projects. On the 8th of April 1943, the Japanese announced the formation of F Force, which was made up of 3,600 Australian 3,400 British prisoners of war and was to work in Thailand. The men left Singapore in the third week of April 1943 in trains typically containing 600 men and their baggage. There was no room to lie down in the carriages and little ventilation. Three days later the trains arrived at the small village of Ban Pong where the men were told that they had to complete the rest of the journey on foot, a distance of some two hundred miles. Their baggage was searched and the march began two days after their arrival at the village. The march lasted two and half weeks and was carried out at night, usually for twelve hours periods between 7pm and 7am, with rations being a small bowl of rice per man per day. The monsoon rains began during the journey, greatly adding to the difficulties of marching along the jungle tracks.
They arrived at a series of camps in the middle of May, with Allan Barrie being allocated to Shimo Sonkrai Camp on the Thailand Burma border where about 2,000 men were interned. When the men arrived they were split into two groups, one of 200 men to begin construction of the Thai Burma railway and the other, of around 500 men, to build a fence around the camp area. There were "buildings" but no roofs, and with rain all night the men were left to huddle together under groundsheets. On the 17th of May 1943, the first case of cholera was recorded at the camp and on the 26th of May twenty eight men were admitted to the camp hospital. During the night of the 26th of May and through the following day ten men died from cholera, one of which was Allan Barrie. By the 2nd of June there were 800 men available to work with the remaining 1,100 staying in the hospital camp. On the 11th of June only 80 men were still fit enough to work.
He is buried Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery Plot B4 Row O Grave 12

Bathgate Alexander Grant Aircraftman 1st Class 567441

224 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 30th of September 1939 aged 21
Alexander Grant "Sandy" Bathgate was born at Calcutta, Madras on the 3rd of March 1918 the fourth and youngest son of Richard Ged Muir Bathgate, a mining engineer, and Jean Bertram (nee Grant) Bathgate of 10, Dovemount Place, Hawick, later of 45, Braid Avenue, Edinburgh. He was educated at St Helens School, Bridge of Allan and at George Watson's College from 1927 to 1934. On leaving school he entered the Royal Air Force and trained at RAF Halton.
Alexander Bathgate and his crew took off from RAF Lecheurs on the 30th of September 1939 in Hudson Mk 1 N7216 QX-D for a photo reconnaissance mission in the area of Brunsbuttel and Wilhelmshaven. During their mission they were flying to the north east of Heligoland when they were attacked by Messerschmitt Bf109Es of 4/JG77. The aircraft was shot down and crashed into the sea at 7.50am with the loss of the entire crew. The victory was claimed by Leutnant Heinz Deuschle, the first of an eventual five victories before he was killed in action on the 27th of June 1944.
The crew was: -
Flying Officer John Raymond Hollington (Pilot)
Sergeant Richard Samuel Pitts (2nd Pilot)
Aircraftman 1st Class Graham Rout
Aircraftman 1st Class Alexander Grant Bathgate (Air Gunner)
The body of John Hollington was recovered from the sea to the west of Tammwarft, Pellworm on the 27th of November and that of Richard Pitts was found on a beach between Klitmøller and Hanstholm on the 17th of November.
A comrade wrote of him: - "It is fitting to know that his life belonged to the air. To fly in the morning dew or to return through an evening storm was his very lifeblood, and to die in that unconquerable realm was, I am sure, his wish."
He was the first old boy of George Watson’s College to lose his life during the Second World War.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 2

Bathgate, Helena Anne Irene

Civilian
Died on the 11th of April 1941 aged 20
Helena Ann Irene Bathgate was born at 11,Western Terrace, Edinburgh on the 29th of June 1920 the daughter of Dr William David Bathgate OBE MC, Edinburgh medical Mission Hospital, Nazareth, Palestine and Lena Bathgate of 3, Links View, Burntisland, Fife. She was educated at Beirut, Lebanon and at George Watson’s Ladies College from 1932 to 1939 where she was appointed as a Prefect in 1939. She was a gifted pianist and enjoyed writing poetry. On leaving school she went on to Edinburgh University to study Social Sciences but she did not complete her course as she was planning to return to Palestine to join her father. By April 1941 she had obtained a ticket for the journey and shortly before her planned departure she travelled to Cambridge to attend a Christian conference. She was offered a place to stay by her friend Joan Gray and spent the night of the 8th of April 1941 at her friend’s house, Holy Trinity Vicarage. During the night she was in the garden when the building was hit by a bomb during a raid on Ipswich docks and she was gravely injured. She was taken to East Suffolk Hospital where she died from her injuries three days later.

Beattie, George Thomas Watson 2nd Lieutenant 217993 RE

588 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers attached to 62 Field Company, Royal Engineers
Killed in action on the 28th of March 1942 aged 27
George Thomas Watson Beattie was born in South London on the 17th of January 1915 the son of George Watson Beattie, a building contractor, and Mary Primrose Hope (nee Gillam) Beattie of 1, Vincent Street, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1928 to 1931 after which he accepted an appointment as a junior assistant in the City's Engineer's Department, Edinburgh. He later moved to London and lived at 1a, Grand Parade, Forty Avenue, Wembley Park.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 20th of July 1941 and was posted to 588 Army Troops Company, joining them on the 27th of September 1941. By March 1942 the unit was based at Abar Abu Safafi in Egypt.
On the 3rd of March 1942, George Beattie was attached to 62 Company, Royal Engineers and he left by road that day to join them at Mersa Matruh. At 4.30pm on the 28th of March 1942 news was received from 62 Field Company that George Beattie had been killed by an anti tank mine while clearing a minefield at Mersa Matruh.
He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery Plot XXXII Row B Grave 9

Beveridge, Thomas Morris Captain

Southern Rhodesian Medical Corps
Died on the 13th of February 1944
Thomas Morris Beveridge was the son of Lieutenant Colonel the Reverend Thomas Lorimer Beveridge RAMC, a missionary on the Gold Coast, and Dr Jessie Hawksworth (nee Smith) Beveridge MD of 92, Findhorn Place, Edinburgh, later of 116, Grange Loan, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1915 to 1924 and went on to Edinburgh University to read medicine, commencing his studies there on the 14th of October 1924. He graduated MB and ChB in 1929 and served as Medical Officer to the City Fever Hospital, Edinburgh. He spent five years based at Chitambo in Northern Rhodesia (now Malawi) with the Livingstonia Mission of the Church of Scotland. He returned to Scotland where he gained a DPH Diploma at Glasgow University in 1937 and in the same year he was appointed as Assistant Health Officer to the City Health Department for the Salisbury Municipality.
On the outbreak of war he joined the Southern Rhodesian Medical Corps as a Lieutenant, and was later promoted to Captain.
He died at Salisbury from sodium fluoride poisoning, which was found to have been self administered in error.
He is buried at Pioneer Cemetery Harare, European War Graves Plot, Grave 124

Blair, Colin Campbell Flying Officer 77781

No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 1st of September 1941 aged 26
Colin Campbell Blair was born at Prestonkirk, East Linton on the 19th of April 1915 the elder son of the Reverend Duncan Blair MC DD, of Newlands South Church, formerly of Braid Church, Morningside, Edinburgh, and Ada Jane Blair of 5, Beverley Road, Newlands, Glasgow. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1922 to 1926 and went on to Glasgow High School from 1926 to 1932. On leaving school he entered Glasgow University where he achieved Double Honours in History and Economics in 1938. He later studied for the Bar at Grays Inn, London and had all but completed his courses when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1939. He trained as a pilot, rose to the rank of Sergeant and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 7th of March 1940. He served with an Army Cooperation Squadron in England and France and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 7th of March 1941. He was later posted to No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit.
Colin Blair took off from RAF Wick at 3.30pm on the 1st of September 1941 in Spitfire PR4-2 X4500 for a photo reconnaissance mission to Stavanger and Kristiansand in Norway. He was due to return to RAF Peterhead at 6.30pm but the aircraft failed to return, and its fate is unknown.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Glasgow High School and on the memorials at Glasgow University and at Gray’s Inn, London.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 29

Bogle, Charles Ripley Squadron Leader 102615 AFC

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died on the 1st of March 1946 aged 33
Charles Ripley Bogle was born at the United Free Church Manse, 214 Ferry Road, Leith on the 18th of May 1912 the youngest son of the Very Reverend Andrew Nisbet Bogle DD, United Free Church, and Helen Milne (nee McCulloch) Bogle of 4, Cluny Avenue, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson’s College from 1918 to 1931 where he was an excellent rugby player, athlete, scholar and musician. He was Captain of School from 1929 to 1930. He went on to Edinburgh University, where he achieved a BA MA (Edin), and later to Balliol College, Oxford. On leaving university he entered teaching and was appointed as senior classics master at the King’s School, Macclesfield.
He volunteered for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in the late summer of 1940 where he trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of Corporal before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation on the 21st of July 1941. He was confirmed in his rank and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 13th of July 1942. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the 21st of July 1943 and to Squadron Leader on the 12th of October 1944.
He saw active service in East Africa where he commanded 1414 Meteorological Flight based at Eastleigh, near Nairobi and was awarded the Air Force Cross for his work there which was announced by the Air Ministry on the 8th of June 1944. He was serving with Royal Air Force Headquarters, Middle East in the middle of 1945. He returned home at the end of 1945 to await demobilisation but lost his life when he fell through ice while skating at Portmore Loch, near Eddleston in Peeblesshire.
He is commemorated at Warriston Crematorium Panel 1

Borland, James Pilot Officer 157303 DFC

156 Squadron (Pathfinders), Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 3rd of January 1944 aged 20
James Borland was born at Irvine, North Ayrshire on the 14th of March 1923 the elder son of Thomas Wright Borland and Marion Borland of "Westhaven", Lochend Road, Troon, in Ayrshire. He was educated at Irvine Royal Academy and at George Watson's College from 1937 to 1941. He went on to the first University Training Course for pilots, and after further training in England and in the United States he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 11th of August 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was announced in the London Gazette of the 16th of November 1943: - "In recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of many operations over the Reich."
On the night of the 2nd/3rd of January 1944 Bomber Command dispatched 362 Lancasters, 12 Mosquitos and 9 Halifaxes for an operation on Berlin. The bomber stream was tracked by German radar and their target was confirmed some 40 minutes before the bombers reached it. Enemy night fighters were scrambled and patrolled between Hanover and Bremen but the bombers had passed through the area before they were deployed. Most of the casualties suffered by the bombers occurred over the city. Damage to the city was light with the bombs being widely scattered, destroying 82 houses and killing 36 people on the ground. There was insignificant damage to the industrial areas.
James Borland and his crew took off from RAF Warboys at 12.08am on the 3rd of January 1944 in Lancaster Mk III JB553 GT-J for the operation. The aircraft was shot down and crashed at 2.30am at Reinickendorfer Strasse, in north western Berlin.
The crew was: -
Pilot Officer James Borland DFC (Pilot)
Warrant Officer Class 1 Leslie James Adair RCAF (Rear Gunner)
Flight Sergeant Dennis Cyril George Snelling (Air Bomber)
Sergeant Duncan Benjamin Grant Mackenzie (Wireless Operator)
Flight Lieutenant Alexander Neill McGlashan (2nd Pilot)
Pilot Officer Vincent Robert Purmal RCAF (Navigator)
Sergeant John Simpson Scott (Flight Engineer)
Sergeant Alan Abraham Waller (Mid Upper Gunner)
Thiers was one of five aircraft lost by the Squadron during the raid and was one of twenty seven lost overall.
James Borland’s body was identified by the Germans but the burial site was not recorded. Two members of the crew are known to have been buried at Doberitz Cemetery in the city but their bodies were moved after the war. Also in the cemetery were a large number of aircrew who had been buried as unknown; these too were relocated at the end of the war.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 210

Brotchie, George Francis Squadron Leader 39708

111 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed on active service on the 14th of March 1942 aged 25
George Francis "Ian" or "Wee" Brotchie was born at Calcutta on the 2nd of July 1916 the only son of George McIntosh Brotchie, a jute merchant, and Frances Hartley Brotchie of Calcutta, later of 4, Clive Road, Downfield, Dundee and of "Torduff", 1 Pickhurst Rise, West Wickham in Kent. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1922 to 1926 and at Dundee High School. On leaving school he entered Dundee Technical College before enlisting in the Royal Air Force in 1937. He was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer on probation on the 18th of May 1937 and was confirmed his rank on the 15th of March 1938. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 15th of October 1939. After the outbreak of war, he saw action during the Battle of France with 73 Squadron.
He took off at 11.50am on the 20th of March 1940 for an interception of enemy aircraft which had been seen approaching the base. He gave chase and, at 12.25am he was involved in a short combat before landing safely back at base where he filed the following combat report: -
"I have the honour to report that on Tuesday, 20th March 1940 at 11.50 hours, I took off after some enemy aircraft sighted over the aerodrome. Before I could get anywhere near them I was ordered to patrol left front at 25,000 feet. On my way to the patrol line, I saw some streaks over Metz and gave chase. The aircraft were too far away however and I commenced my patrol. After about 10 minutes I saw a large formation of enemy aircraft flying east along the Luxembourg frontier. I gave chase and caught up with the formation, which consisted of five Dorniers and 5 ME110’s, just after passing the Loselle I started to attack what appeared to be the rearmost Dornier, and as I was about to fire he turned into my line of flight and I gave him a short deflection shot from astern. I broke away and found that other machines had closed in around me and were trying to effect cross fire. As I broke away I tried another short deflection shot from almost dead ahead. At the commencement of my attack I could see 3 109’s approaching rapidly from Germany and at this point they passed overhead and tried to attack me from the rear. I had to break away from the bomber formation and a dog fight ensued. During the fight I tried one short deflection shot but apparently to no effect. After a few moments the ME109’s broke away and dived rapidly back into Germany."
On the morning of the 29th of March 1940, he took off with four other aircraft from the Squadron for an interception during which he damaged a Dornier 17. He fired four bursts of fire during the combat, at ranges of between 100 and 300 yards. On his return to base he made the following report: - "I have the honour to report that while leading a section on Friday 29th March at approximately 0915 hours, I intercepted a Dornier 17. The enemy aircraft was flying at approx: 19,000 feet about 10 miles S.W. of Metz. Pilot Officer Perry flying on my right was the first to sight the Do.17 and turned towards it, while I followed. I let P/O Perry make the first attack from astern while I manoeuvred onto the starboard side and tried a deflection shot. I saw P/O Perry break away and turned into astern position and fired another burst. After P/O Perry broke away, I did not see him again. As soon as the E/A/ sighted us he dived steeply for Germany and I made a total of four attacks and followed him down to 2,000 feet when he disappeared into a patch of low cloud just inside the German frontier. The rear gunner had stopped firing when I did my last attack at 5,000 feet and I presume he had been shot. One engine of the Dornier appeared to have given out but there was no sign of smoke."
In fact Pilot Officer James Garland Perry’s aircraft, Hurricane Mk I P2570, had been attacked by Oberleutnant Boenigk of 9./KG53 and had overturned during a forced landing at Brienne-le-Chateau at 9.15am, killing him.
At 11.15am on the morning of the 7th of April 1940, he took off as the leader of No. 2 Section in Hurricane Mk 1 P2542 TP-X for a patrol. While the formation was over Metz near Boulay, a large number of enemy fighters was spotted and engaged. During the dogfight he fired a 2-3 second burst at one of the enemy aircraft at a range of 500 yards but with no result. At 11.50am his aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf109 flown by Hauptman Wolfgang Lippert of 3./JG53. His aircraft was damaged, and he was hit in the knee by a metal splinter. Wounded, and with his engine leaking glycol, he managed to land the aircraft back at base at 12.05pm.
A fellow pilot, Henry Hall, later described waiting for his return after the combat: - "Wee" Brotchie on one occasion failed to return with his section, and an anxious crowd upon the ‘drome scoured the horizon, west and east, until at last – and not a minute too soon – a plane dived down towards us, significantly, however, omitting the customary circuit of the ‘drome. And particular notice was taken of the black, gaping holes in the leading edges of the wing, where the gun panels were situated. But the pilot seemed to be in no hurry to get out of his plane, the prop of which too had gone "dead" upon him, apparently. His crew dashed towards it, and were to be seen lifting him out of the cockpit. God!, not so bad as that – and the "Wee" Brotchie too! Fortunately it was not so bad as that; but his little adventure with an Me109 was followed by a spell in hospital, where he was later joined by his bosom pal Pete Walker."
He was evacuated to a hospital at Epernay where the shrapnel was removed.
On his return, he filed the following report of the combat: - "Sir, I have the honour to report that on 7th April 1940 I was leading number 2 Section in a formation of nine over Boulay at about 25,000 feet when we saw and engaged a large formation of Me 109s. The squadron broke up and a dogfight ensued. Most of the enemy aircraft, however, made off. I re-joined about four other aircraft. As we circled around for a favourable position to attack I noticed a machine on my tail. I pulled my machine into a steep climbing turn, but it was too late as several bullets entered my engine and cockpit. One bullet in passing through a longeron threw a piece of metal into my right leg and, as my engine was damaged, I returned to the aerodrome and landed."
Wolfgang Lippert claimed to have destroyed the aircraft, which he had mistaken for a Spitfire, and was credited with the victory. It was his seventh of an eventual thirty victories before he died of wounds on the 3rd of December 1941.
On his recovery George Brotchie was posted to No. 7 Operational Training Unit, based at RAF Hawarden near Chester where he served as an instructor.
At 7.30pm on the 18th of September 1940 he took off from RAF Hawarden in Spitfire 1a N3235 with three other aircraft for a patrol. During this patrol he engaged and destroyed an enemy Dornier 215.
On his return to base, he filed the following combat report: - "Sir, I have the honour to report that on the evening of the 18th September 1940, while flying a Spitfire No. 3235, I engaged and destroyed one enemy aircraft, a Dornier 215. I took off with my section on patrol at 1930 hours. Shortly after taking off No. 2 had to return to the aerodrome with engine trouble. I continued to climb to a height of 10,000 feet and spotted some A.A. fire over Liverpool. I then received a message from control to say that bandits were reported over Liverpool at 8,000 feet. I turned towards Liverpool and almost immediately received a message that there was a bandit over base at 8,000 feet. I turned again towards the base and received a further message that there were eight bandits at various heights. It was just after this message that I sighted the enemy aircraft at about 20,000 feet and some distance apart flying south over Hoylake. No. 3 broke off and chased one, while I went after the other. I chased the enemy aircraft down the coast of Wales climbing all the time. At about 20,000 feet I gradually closed on the aircraft. At 250 yards I was sitting on its tail and was on the point of opening fire when the enemy aircraft spotted me and dived steeply towards the ground. I followed down on its tail firing about four long bursts. His rear gunner only replied with one burst. His dive gradually got steeper and at about 4,000 feet he dived through some low cloud almost vertically. I eased out of my dive slightly and followed him down through cloud and was just in time to see him dive into the sea off the coast of Anglesey. No flames were seen to come from the machine so I judged the machine to be either out of control or that the pilot had been killed, the speed at the time he entered the cloud was at least 350 m.p.h. As it was now dark I climbed back over the clouds and returned to base."
He was credited with the victory.
He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the 15th of October 1940 and to Squadron Leader on the 1st of December 1941. He was posted to 111 Squadron as their Commanding Officer.
On the 14th of March 1942, 111 Squadron was spending the day in training. George Brotchie was leading the third section to take off from RAF Debden in Spitfire Mk Vb BL429 JU-E. At 4.05pm, while his aircraft was still on the runway waiting for his No. 2 to taxi into position for takeoff it was struck by Spitfire Mk Vb R7192 JU-Y, flown by Warrant Officer Ladislav Zadrobilek, the leader of the fourth section of three aircraft,. The aircraft burst into flames, killing him.
His father received the following letter dated the 19th of March 1942: - Sir, I am commanded by the Air Council to express to you their great regret on learning that your son, Squadron Leader George Francis Brotchie, Royal Air Force, lost his life as the result of an aircraft accident on 14th March, 1942. The Air Council desire me to convey their profound sympathy to you in your bereavement."
Ladislav Zadrobilek later wrote: -
"It was a lovely spring day. Debden airbase was very busy as usual during the war, I would not suspect, that this particular day would be fatal for me. The whole day was devoted to practise flying in the squadron. This time I was appointed to lead the last section. Squadron Commander S/Ldr. Brotchie was always normally leading the first section, but this time was leading the section before me. First section got airborne, followed by the second one and the third section started to roll. I prepared for take-off and waited for my two numbers to format on me on the runway. When I checked their position, No. 2 Sgt Boyle signalled to me with a thumb, that everything is alright and I may take-off. Number 2 could see further along the runway than myself, because the view ahead from the stationary Spitfire is obstructed. That is the procedure done always before, so far there was not a starter on airfields who would give clearance for take-off. I have decided to take-off. When I began to accelerate and the tail was raised, I could see ahead of me and to my horror I realised, that the section in front of me for unknown reason had stopped on the runway ahead. There was no other possibility than to use full power and try to jump over the aircraft ahead. My number 2 and 3 realised from their side positions the obstruction earlier and turned off the runway on the grass.
My aircraft left the ground – actually I pulled it off the ground, but it was not enough to clear the aircraft ahead, so with full power I hit the aircraft. There was a terrible crash and in a moment I was in the middle of a fire-wall. Both aircraft became entangled and my aircraft finished in a vertical position above the number in front. I was lucky, that I was always properly fastened in my seat. I was not therefore thrown ahead and injured. I quickly loosened the straps, opened the cabin and jumped through the flames from the aircraft on the ground and rolled away from the aircraft. My clothing was burning but quickly arrived mechanics extinguishing this fire. I suffered burns on face and neck, but the leader S/Ldr. Brotchie in the crash was burned to death. Even now I still see it in front of me. It was terrible. It was all happening in parts of a second. Despite my obvious shock I have managed to action quickly what was necessary. So I managed to get out of the aircraft probably in two seconds. This was the only possibility in the circumstances to save the life. During these exciting moments and with all routine activities I imagined in front of my eyes my own funeral."
Zadrobilek was treated at the base sick bay for burns and for a cut over his right temple before being taken to hospital at Cambridge. He was released from hospital on the 27th of April when he returned to the Squadron.
He is commemorated on the Dundee Roll of Honour
He is commemorated at Dundee Crematorium

Brotherston, James White Able Seaman D/JX 288541 RN

HMS Illustrious, Royal Navy
Died on the 9th of September 1942 aged 20
James White Brotherston was born at Morningside, Edinburgh on the 28th of July 1920 the elder son of John Bathgate Brotherston, Crown Estate Receiver for Scotland, and Margaret White Brotherston of 19, Plewlands Avenue, Edinburgh.
He was educated at George Watson's College until 1939 when he was apprenticed to the firm of Messrs. Walker and Henderson, Chartered Accountants.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1941 and was posted to the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. On the 9th of September 1942 HMS Illustrious was off the coast of Madagascar to support the landings there which were planned to take place on the following day. During the day James Brotherston collapsed and died due to a syncope.
He was buried at sea.
He is commemorated on the Plymouth Memorial Panel 64 Column 2

Brown, Alexander McArthy Slater Captain 156098

D Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots (Royal Regiment)
Killed in action on the 19th of December 1941 aged 20
Alexander McArthy Slater "Sandy" Brown was born at Edinburgh on the 22nd of July 1921 the younger son of William Slater Brown, a chartered accountant, and Agnes Euphemia (nee McArthy) Slater Brown of 71, Comiston Drive, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1927 to 1939 where he served as a Cadet in the Officer Training Corps and was a leading drummer in the Corps band. He was a member of the 4th Edinburgh Scout Group at Greenbank.
He enlisted in the Territorial Army where he rose to the rank of Lance Sergeant before attending an Officer Cadet Training Unit from where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Scots on the 2nd of November 1940. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion of his regiment which had been based at Hong Kong since 1938.
On the 8th of December 1941, the Japanese invaded the New Territories of Hong Kong and within days they had captured the mainland of the colony as far as Kowloon. On the 13th of December a Japanese delegation arrived on the island of Hong Kong offering their terms for the surrender of the garrison there. These were rejected and the Japanese began shelling the island’s defences in a barrage which lasted until the 17th of December when they again offered their terms for surrender which were also rejected by the island’s defenders.
On the 18th of December 1941 the Japanese began landing six battalions of troops on the island of Hong Kong between North Point and Shau Ki Wan. The 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots were deployed on the northern side of the island and Battalion headquarters began receiving messages from their Companies on the ground when C Company reported seeing Verey lights at 9.35pm. At 9.45pm D Company reported that they could hear machine gun and rifle fire and that a few shells were falling. Towards midnight reports came back that the Japanese had landed in numbers at Taikoo Docks and were pushing along the north eastern shore where a British pillbox was attacked at 12.30am. At 12.50am white Verey lights were seen at Caroline Hill and at 1.35am it was reported that there was heavy fighting there. At 2.45am D Company reported seeing white Verey lights at Jardine’s Lookout and at 2.55am they reported that it had been attacked and captured. During the night it became clear that the Japanese were trying to spilt the island in two by taking the Wong Nai Chung Gap and advancing along Repulse Bay Road.
At 7am on the 19th of December 1941, Brigade Headquarters reported that it was surrounded and asked for urgent reinforcements be dispatched to assist them. C Company boarded trucks and were the first to arrive in the area. B Company was ordered to support them in their counterattack. At 7.28am A Company, the Fortress Reserve, also departed for the Wong Nai Chung Gap with D Company being ordered to protect their flanks to the west of the headquarters. At 9.45am D Company reported that they were in position but that they had not seen the enemy. At 12.25pm A Company reported that following an engagement with the Japanese at the Wong Nai Chung Gap they only had fifteen men left. At 1.30pm C Company received orders to attack and recapture Jardine’s Lookout at 3pm and then to rendezvous with D Company at Stubbs Road and advance through the Gap before attacking Jardine’s Lookout from the direction of the town of Stanley. Before the planned rendezvous took place D Company was advised that the Gap was only lightly defended and they quickly mounted an attack up Wong Nai Chung Gap Road where they were met by heavy machine gun and mortar fire. Alexander Brown was killed by a mortar shell while leading his men in the attack.
Heavy fighting continued until dusk when the surviving members of the Battalion were withdrawn having suffered heavy casualties.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Greenbank Parish Church, Edinburgh.
He is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial Column 9

Brown, Stewart Lieutenant Colonel 66472

167 (City of London) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
Killed in action on the 10th of September 1943 aged 31
Stewart Brown was born at Edinburgh the son of Robert Stewart Brown, a solicitor, and Johana M. Brown of 11a, Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson's College from 1916 to 1928 and went on to Edinburgh University from where he graduated MB ChB in 1935. After a tour abroad he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps on the 24th of October 1935. He was posted to India where he saw service on the Northwest Frontier and was later promoted to Captain. He later served in Palestine and in Egypt before returning to the UK to train medical units in field work. He was married at Westminster in 1939 to Nancy (née Heslop) and they lived at Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.
On the outbreak of war he was serving with the 51st Highland Division and saw action with them in the campaigns in the North African desert and in Tunisia.
He was serving as Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services with the 51st Highland Division when he was appointed to the command of 167 (City of London) Field Ambulance. He joined his new command at Tripoli at 6.30pm on the 30th of May 1943 where he replaced Major J. N. Nabarro RAMC, who had been in temporary command of them since the 15th of May. He was granted the rank of Acting Lieutenant Colonel on the same day.
At 10.50am on the 3rd of September 1943, 167 (City of London) Field Ambulance embarked on board their landing craft at Tripoli bound for Salerno. They landed on the beach at Salerno at 4.23am on the 9th of September where a party led by Captain Forsyth advanced 200 yards into the sand dunes where they began assembling stores and equipment. Stewart Brown joined them there a short time later. They spent the remainder of the day in organising and evacuating the wounded.
At 8.50am on the morning of the 10th of September 1943, Stewart Brown and Captain Forsyth departed by jeep to undertake a reconnaissance of the forward areas with Major Alan Porter. Lieutenant William Hobcraft, Royal Army Service Corps, left at the same time to visit the forward aid stations.
Later that morning Captain Forsyth returned in a jeep with shrapnel wounds to his right calf and buttocks. He reported that he, Stewart Brown and Major Porter had arrived in the area of the town of Battipaglia and were on the upper storey of a house from where they were looking for a suitable site for an Advanced Dressing Station when they saw a German tank approaching. They went downstairs and outside where they hid behind the building. The tank then opened fire on them, wounding Captain Forsyth as described and Alan Porter who received compound fractures of the tibia and fibula. The tank came close to where they were and stopped where it was approached by Stewart Brown who spoke to the tank commander pointing out his Red Cross armband and saying that he was going to go back to his jeep to fetch a stretcher to evacuate Porter. Having fetched the stretcher, he and Captain Forsyth were loading Porter onto it when a second tank appeared and opened fire on them, killing Stewart Brown and wounding Major Porter in the head. In spite of his injuries, Captain Forsyth crawled into a ditch and was picked up by a unit of signalmen. He then jumped into another jeep and headed for the beachhead, stopping on the way to alert others on his journey that Major Porter was still in the town and needed rescuing. He also reported that Lieutenant Hobcraft was missing. An ambulance and stretcher bearers were dispatched from the beach area to try to collect Major Porter but found that Battipaglia had been surrounded by the Germans and that the Guards Brigade were in the process of counterattacking.
Major Alan Graham Porter died from his wounds and Lieutenant William Eric Hobcraft had been killed in action.
He was Mentioned in Despatches: - "In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East*, which was announced by the War Office on the 13th of January 1944.
He is buried at Salerno War Cemetery Plot IV Row D Grave 7

Brown, Thomas David Flying Officer 124924

166 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 28th of May 1943 aged 21
Thomas David Brown was born at Edinburgh the younger son of John Allan Brown and Agnes Brown of 10, Hermitage Gardens, Edinburgh. He was educated at George Watson’s College from 1926 and 1938 and was awarded his 1st Rugby XV colours in 1938. On leaving school he became indentured as an apprentice Chartered Accountant. He was a King’s Scout and was for a time the Scoutmaster of the combined 4th and 72nd Troops. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1941 and was posted to South Africa for training as a navigator where he passed out in first place on his course. He rose to the rank of Corporal before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 18th of July 1941. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 18th of January 1943.
On the night of the 27th/28th of May 1943 Bomber Command dispatched 274 Lancasters, 151 Halifaxes, 81 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitos for an operation on Essen. The weather was cloudy and sky marking was used by the Pathfinders. The bombing was scattered, with most aircraft releasing their bombs too early, and the result was that damage was limited to the central and northern districts of the city where 188 buildings were destroyed. 196 people were killed on the ground with a further 547 being injured.
Thomas Brown and his crew took off from RAF Kirmington at 11.02pm on the 27th of May 1943 in Wellington Mk X HE752 AS-W for the operation. It was to be his twenty second operation. The aircraft was shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 night fighter flown by Oberleutnant Hans-Heinz Augenstein of III.NJG1 and it crashed at 1.56am local time at Overijssel, 3 kilometres to the south of Henglo in Holland with the loss of the entire crew. The victory was Hans-Heinz Augenstein's fourth, and was the second of four that night. He was eventually credited with forty-six victories before he was killed in action on the night of the 6th/7th of December 1944.
The crew was: -
Flight Lieutenant Donald Thomas Tonkinson (Pilot)
Sergeant Percy Guest (Navigator)
Flying Officer Thomas David Brown (Air Bomber)
Pilot Officer Arthur Denis Johnson (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Norman Percival Rayner (Rear Gunner)
Thiers was one of twenty three aircraft which were lost on the raid.
He is buried at Overijssel Cemetery, Hengelo Plot D Row 1 Grave 64

Budgett, Robert Allan Flight Sergeant 1559089

142 (City of Worcester) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed in action on the 14th of June 1944 aged 22
Robert Allan Budgett was born at Leeds, Yorkshire on the 30th of January 1922 the second son of Walter Henry Budgett, a civil engineer, and Frances Mary (nee Allan) Budgett of 63, Pentland Terrace, Edinburgh. He was educated at Leeds Grammar School and at George Watson's College from 1931 to 1939. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the firm of Graham, Smart & Annan, Chartered Accountants of Edinburgh.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a pilot and was posted to 142 Squadron. He undertook his first operation as captain of his aircraft on the 11th of March 1944.
Robert Budgett and his crew took off from Amendola in Italy at around 8.30pm on the 13th of June 1944 in Wellington Mk X LN700 "R" for an operation on the main railway station at Munich for what was to be his twenty fourth operation. The operation was largely unsuccessful due to the thick cloud which covered the target.
In the early hours of the following morning the aircraft was attacked by a Junkers 88 night fighter and the crew were forced to bail out of the aircraft. Robert Budgett was the last member of the crew to bail out and was killed when his parachute failed to deploy. The rest of the crew landed safely and were taken prisoner. The aircraft crashed near to Lenggries, some 50 kilometres to the south of Munich.
The crew was: -
Flight Sergeant Robert Allan Budgett (Pilot)
Sergeant Ronald Edward Bramble (Navigator) (POW No. 147 Stalag Luft VII)
Sergeant SN Smith (Air Bomber) (POW No. 191 Stalag Luft VII)
Sergeant Kenneth Beaumont Shillito (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) (POW No. 189 Stalag Luft VII)
Sergeant Albert Arthur Sales (Rear Gunner) (POW No. 187 Stalag Luft VII)
Theirs was the only aircraft lost by the Squadron during the raid.
After the war, his body was assumed to be that of an American airman, and it was exhumed and reinterred in the American cemetery at St Avoid in France. He was later correctly identified and his body moved once again to its present resting place.
He is buried at Choloy War Cemetery Plot 2 Row B Grave 8

Burge, Reginald Graham Lieutenant 182559

No. 2 Platoon, 572 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers
Killed in action on the 13th of May 1943 aged 23
Reginald Graham Burge was born at Edinburgh on the 10th of November 1919 the son of William Henry Burge and Sara Isobel Mary (nee Wood) Burge of 13, Findhorn Place, Edinburgh He was educated at George Watson's College from 1925 to 1936 where he was a fine swimmer and was a Scout. On leaving school he was apprenticed to the firm of Messrs. J.R. Mackay, Architects, of Manor Place, Edinburgh and also studied at the Edinburgh College of Art.
He attended an Officer Cadet Training Unit before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 20th of April 1941 and was posted to 572 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers where he was placed in command of No. 2 Platoon.
On the 22nd of April 1943 Reginald Burge returned from a course at 1st Army on the construction of a Bailey bridge. The unit war diary noted ".... which Lt. Burge reports is a better bridge than any of our existing equipment bridges."
On the 7th of May 1943 the final battle for Tunisia began at Medjez el Bab with British armour entering Tunis the next day. By the 11th of May the only remaining enemy resistance was in the sector held by 572 Army Field Company which was still engaged in mine clearance on the Saouaf Road. On the next day there was a heavy enemy barrage which was regarded by the Sappers as their "last fling". The enemy fire slackened and then stopped at 4pm and fires were seen on the ridge to Company’s front which they took to be the enemy burning their documents and stores.
At noon on the 13th of May 1943, a ceasefire was announced marking the end of the North African campaign, and at 8am that morning sappers of 572 Army Field Company joined a party from the Royal Scots to clear the way through a minefield towards Saouaf itself. Later in the day Reginald Burge led a party forward to widen the path through the minefield. At 2pm he was killed by the explosion of an Italian V3 landmine and was buried where he fell, just outside of Saouaf. His body was later exhumed and reburied in its present location.
He is buried at Enfidaville Cemetery Plot VI Row B Grave 30

Burnie, Andrew Pilot Officer 111958

No. 13 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force
Killed on active service on the 31st of March 1942 aged 29
Andrew Burnie was born at Glasgow on the 29th of August 1913 the son of George Burnie and Mary Burnie of 51, Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh, later of "Westburn", 81, Greenbank Terrace, Edinburgh. He was educated at James Gillespie’s School and at George Watson’s College from 1927 to 1935.
On leaving school he joined the staff of the National Bank of Scotland as a clerk, and in 1935 received an appointment with the Bank of London and South America in Asuncion in Paraguay. He embarked for South America on board the SS "Highland Brigade" on the 9th of November 1935. He was married to Elsie.
Following the outbreak of war, he returned to the UK to enlist in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation on the 12th of November 1941. He and his wife lodged at "Whitelands", Biscester.
At 2.40pm on the 31st of March 1942, Andrew Burnie and his crew took off from RAF Bicester in Blenheim Mk IV R3838 for a navigational cross country training exercise. They were to fly a route from Biscester to Mablethorpe then to Sheringham, March and back to Biscester. They were expected to return to base at 5.40pm. The weather called for good visibility with a cloud base of 1,100 to 1,200 feet over land and at 600 feet over the sea. Fourteen aircraft took part in the exercise of which only three completed the trip with the remainder turning back at the coast. Andrew Burnie's aircraft was last heard from at 3.30pm when they contacted RAF Waddington but were not heard from again and are thought to have crashed into the North Sea with the loss of the entire crew.
The crew was: -
Sergeant Alfred Edward Geers (Observer)
Sergeant James Gray (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Pilot Officer Andrew Burnie (Pilot)
Thirteen aircraft took part in a search for the missing aircraft but no trace of them was found.
His mother received the following telegram dated the 1st of April 1941: - "Regret to inform you that your son Pilot Officer Andrew Burnie is reported missing as the result of an aircraft accident on 31 March 1942. Any further information received will be communicated to you immediately. His wife has been informed."
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 68