[rafcommands]

27/08/43
No.9 OTU
Beaufort I
AW234

Training, RAF Crosby-on-Eden, Time up 10:35 hrs

W/O R G Justy
Sgt S Gilliland
Cdt J Burns ATC
Cdt J Hutton ATC

Spun into Solway Firth on an unauthorised flight at 11:30 hrs. Sheet 5 map ref 851685.Two ATC cadets were also killed with the two named crew.

ANNAN WATERFOOT, DUMFRIES-SHIRE.
At 11.30 in the morning of the 27th of August, 1943, a Beaufort aeroplane crashed and exploded in the Solway Firth, about half a mile south-east of Annan Waterfoot. The sea was calm, with a light westerly wind blowing. Within five minutes of the crash Mr. George W. Irving reached the scene in his motor boat Jean, but could find nothing. He returned ashore and informed the police. He remained on hand and as the tide ebbed he put out again and recovered four bodies. He had to act promptly as in a matter of minutes the bodies would have been silted up and lost. It is reported that other men took action, but that chief credit belonged to Mr. Irving. About two years before he had rescued two airmen, who would have had no chance but for his help, as one was without a life-belt and the other had a belt which he could not inflate. - Rewards, a letter of appreciation to Mr. George W. Irving.
(Source: RNLI Records of Service 1939-46)

Regards
Ross