Leading Aircraftman Denholm Gow RAF (532923) was the son of John Boyd and Margaret Reoch Gow, Winterpark, Muirton of Ardblair, Blairgowrie. He was born at 33 William Street, Blairgowrie, had two brothers and two sisters and was married to Joan (neé Carter). Gow was reported missing after an engagement with […]
Pilot Officer James McCash, RAFVR (78977) was the son of David and Ruby McCash, Waverley Bank, Viewlands Road, Perth. David McCash was a well-known businessman – a junior member of J McCash & Sons, Feus Road, Perth. The former Perth Academy pupil started flying training at Perth (Newlands) Aerodrome, gaining his wings at the end on November 1938 having trained […]
This is the (updated 25/02/2025) story of Lieutenant John Watson McCash, his missions, and the broader narrative of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) during 1917. McCash’s two missions during the Battle of Cambrai provides a vivid picture of the challenges and heroism of the time. It captures the bravery, skill, […]
The only son of John Christopher and Maud Laidlay of Lindores, Fife and Perth, Pilot Officer John Laidlay RAFVR (79740) flew Bristol Blenheims with RAF 254 Squadron. He attended Ardvreck School, Crieff and Malvern College, Worcestershire between 1930 and 1934, a public school where he was remembered in 1940: ‘At school he was chiefly remarkable for his initiative and […]
Sergeant Duncan Cameron Findlay, RAF, (565318) died when his aircraft crashed and burned out in woods near Saint Hiliare-le-grand, Moronvilliers, three miles south of Bétheniville, to the west of Reims, France. On 26 March 1940, Fairey Battle Mk.1, P2256 from RAF 103 Squadron hit trees on take-off from their airfield at Bétheniville at 10.15 […]
On Craigdootie Hill, just north of Dairsie in Fife, Bristol Beaufort L9834 crashed at 2.12 am on 30 August 1941, killing all the four crew. Squadron Leader Gerald Sebastian Patrick Rooney DFC, RAF (39245), pilot, age unknown Flying Officer Charles Grant, RAFVR (78749), air gunner, age 29 Sergeant Lloyd Colley Mansell, RCAF (R/51633), air observer, age 32 Flight […]
In Perth High Court on 2 June 1942, the case was heard against Charles Robinson White, age 21. He was charged with the culpable homicide of Aircraftman 1st Class William Blair Morrison RAFVR (1104142), age 29. The incident happened at RAF Dunino in Fife, at 9.30 am on 11 May 1941. White presented a […]
Flight Sergeant Douglas James Morrison Dunn RAFVR (1554921) navigator, age 23 was killed in an aircraft accident whilst landing at Foggia Main airfield in Italy on 9 June 1944. Dunn was the son of Andrew and Jeanie Dunn of Rosefield Farm, Balbeggie, Perthshire. Extracts from AIR 27/822, RAF 104 Squadron Operations Record Book, June 1944. Detail of Work Carried Out: Target: Szolnok, Hungary, June, 1st Aircraft […]
Battle of Britain fighter pilot Andrew Smitton Darling (740544) was the son of Peter and Mary Ann Greig Darling of 64 Feus, Auchterarder, the husband of Margaret Robertson Darling, Ayr. After taking a commercial course in Perth, he was employed on the clerical staff of Scottish Agricultural Industries Limited, Crieff. Later, […]
On 22 July 1943, Sergeant John Archibald Campbell RAFVR (1690312) age 20, lost his life in an aircraft accident at RAF Stradishall in the Borough of St Edmundsbury in the English county of Suffolk (between Cambridge and Ipswich). Campbell was flying in a Short Stirling Mk1, W7586 four-engine heavy bomber from RAF […]
