Corporal Colin Mackenzie died in Perth Royal Infirmary on 25 November 1942, he was 22 years old. Mackenzie served as an aircraft fitter with RAF 222 (Natal) Squadron. The squadron was initially formed on 5 October 1939 at RAF Duxford to act in a shipping protection role . They were equipped with Bristol Blenheim’s. In March of 1940, the squadron was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfires and became a day fighter unit helping to cover the Dunkirk evacuation. RAF 222 Squadron fought in the Battle of Britain. Based at RAF Hornchurch the squadron suffered heavy losses during the battle.
Mackenzie was working on an aircraft when someone started the engine and he fell off. This was the start of a long illness that caused his death. He was the only son of Colin and Jane Mackenzie, Perth Road, Scone. Colin Mackenzie is buried in Scone Cemetery.
Douglas Bader was a member of RAF 222 Squadron at the time of the Dunkirk evacuation, notably at the time shooting down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 and a Heinkel He 111. In August 1942, the squadron helped cover the Dieppe operation (Operation Jubilee). In April 1944, they moved to Selsey Bill (RAF Selsey) to provide cover for the convoys and invasion beaches on D-Day. The first German aircraft shot down on D-Day was a Spitfire from RAF Selsey.
The squadron motto was, ‘Pambili bo’ (Zulu) (‘Go straight ahead’).
Mulberry Harbours were stored at Selsey prior to the D-Day invasion and use at the Normandy Beaches.
ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRON CRESTS (CH 9094) Original wartime caption: This picture is one of a series showing R.A.F. Squadron crests and mottoes. (Picture issued 1943). No.222 (Natal) Squadron : ‘PAMBILI BO’ ‘Go straight ahead’. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205448924
