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ANSTRUTHER, WW2

 
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:27 am    Post subject: ANSTRUTHER, WW2 Reply with quote

This memorial is located in Anstruther Cemetery;





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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Inscribed into the edging stones;

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

Pryde, David Douglas 39564, Squadron Leader, DFC

Born 1918.

26/03/37
The London Gazette announced that David Douglas Pryde has been granted a Short Service Commission as an Acting Pilot Officer on Probation effective from 8 March 1937.

28/12/37
The London Gazette announced that Acting Pilot Officer on Probation David Douglas Pryde was confirmed in his appointment and graded as a Pilot Officer with effect from 21 December 1937.

08/09/39
The London Gazette announced that Pilot Officer David Douglas Pryde has been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer with effect from 21 July 1939.

11/06/40
The London Gazette announced that Flying Officer David Douglas Pryde has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation read:

On 20th May 1940, this officer was detailed for a collaboration operation involving an attack on the communication centre at Hannapes. Despite difficult conditions, he succeeded in identifying the target from a very low altitude. Although his aircraft was hit heavily, Flying Officer Pryde climbed to 3,000 feet and executed a successful bombing attack. His aircraft subsequently caught fire, but he continued flying and when height could no longer be maintained, the entire crew landed by parachute. Flying Officer Pryde has completed sixteen operational flights during six months of war flying and has displayed considerable courage and determination.

Whitley N1384/KN- 77 Squadron
Flying Officer David Douglas Pryde
Pilot Officer A W Dunn
Sergeant A C Thomas
Aircraftsman 1st Class T B Kennedy
Aircraftsman 1st Class F Crawford

Whitley took off at 2036hrs for an operation near Cambrai. It was reported to have forcelanded near Abbeville (Somme), France. The crew soon returned to Driffield and resumed their operational duties.



19/11/40
The London Gazette announced that Flying Officer David Douglas Pryde has been promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant with effect from 3 September 1940.

16/12/41
The London Gazette announced that Flight Lieutenant David Douglas Pryde has been promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader (Temp) with effect from 1 September 1941.

09/06/42
At 0440hrs on 9 June 1942 Whitley DB195/M took off under the control of Flight Sergeant W Carmichael. It was tasked to carry out an anti-submarine patrol in area W.21. At 1230hrs the Whitley was intercepted by enemy fighters about 30 miles southwest of Brest and shot down. Those that were killed are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Whitley DB195/KN-M 77 Squadron
Flight Sergeant William Carmichael 1252018 KIA
Squadron Leader David Douglas Pryde 39564, DFC KIA
Flying Officer R G N Laidlaw, RCAF POW?
Pilot Officer A P Tyson POW?
Sergeant J W Cook 922612 KIA
Sergeant McLeod POW?


Name: PRYDE, DAVID DOUGLAS
Initials: D D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Squadron Leader
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 77 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 09/06/1942
Service No: 39564
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of the Revd. John Marshall Pryde, B.D. and Jean Marshall Pryde, of Kilreny Manse, Anstruther. His brothers Sqdn. Ldr. G.A.M. Pryde, D.F.C. and Flying Offr. W.S. Pryde, also died on service.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 65.
Memorial: Runnymede Memorial

Sources: Tony Barr, London Gazette, Bomber Command Losses 1939-40 by W R Chorley, Ross McNeil and CWGC.

Alex
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dhubthaigh
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alex,

Very interesting information about PRYDE. With his two brothers I think that is the first three-fold loss from a family from WW2 I've seen. Although someone will no doubt correct me on that one.
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 12:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

I'll post details on the other two brothers in the next day or so.

There are the 3 MacRobert brothers from Cromar, Aberdeenshire who lost their lives with the RAF during WWII. Their mother Lady MacRobert donated Hurricanes and a Stirling bomber to the RAF. One was called MacRobert's Reply.

There may be more. I'll have a dig through my various notes.

Alex
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
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Location: Fife

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pryde, George Archibald Marshall 32232, Squadron Leader, DFC

Born 1910.

16/09/32
The London Gazette announced that George Archibald Marshall Pryde has been granted a Short Service Commission as an Acting Pilot Officer on Probation with effect from 2 September 1932.

24/10/33
The London Gazette announced that Acting Pilot Officer on Probation George Archibald Marshall Pryde has been confirmed in rank and graded as a Pilot Officer with effect from 2 September 1933.

14/05/35
The London Gazette announced that Pilot Officer George Archibald Marshall Pryde has been promoted to the rank of Flying Officer with effect from 2 April 1935.

17/09/37
The London Gazette announced that Flying Officer George Archibald Marshall Pryde has been promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant with effect from 3 September 1937.

13/09/38
The London Gazette announced that Flight Lieutenant George Archibald Marshall Pryde has been granted a Permanent Commission as a Flight Lieutenant with effect from 2 September 1938.

At some point George was promoted to, probably a Temporary Squadron Leader. Promotion to this rank was seldom reported in the London Gazette.

During the German attack on the Low Countries on 10 May 1940 George was flying with 21 Squadron on Blenheims and carried out a number of low-level attacks on German columns.

06/40
When the Italian entered the war on 10 June 1940 plans were put in place to fly re-inforcements to the island of Malta. One of these operations took place on 15 June. 12 Blenheims and 12 Hurricanes were assembled from various MU’s (Maintenance Units) across the UK.

16/06/40
On 16 June Squadron Leader G A M ‘Scotty’ Pryde was put in charge of this re-inforcement flight. There were four Flights, each with 3 Blenheims and 3 Hurricanes. Squadron Leader Pryde took command of ‘C’ Flight. The route planned was from Aston Down-Tangmere-Cap Frehel-Nantes-Bordeaux-Perpignan-Setif-Malta.

18/06/40
Squadron Leader Pryde took off from Tangmere at about 0630hrs. Due to various technical issues not all aircraft took off. The 11 Blenheims and 6 Hurricanes flew in a loose formation and landed at Marignane between 1145 and 1705hrs. At 1745hrs Squadron leader Pryde took off on the next leg of the journey. During the take off run the Blenheim suffered engine failure and struck the boundary fence.

Blenheim IV L9263
Squadron Leader George Archibald Marshall Pryde
Sergeant L A Hibbett
Sergeant A Scott

The crew were unhurt but the Blenheim was never repaired before the fall of France.

19/06/40
On 16 June Squadron Leader Pryde took over another Blenheim that had recently arrived. At 1730hrs he took off for North Africa accompanied by 5 Hurricanes. A number of the Hurricanes turned back due to various reasons. As they neared the African coast a red very light was seen to come from Squadron Leader Pryde’s Blenheim. Shortly afterwards it crashed into the sea.

Blenheim IV L9334
Squadron Leader George Archibald Marshall Pryde KIA
Sergeant L A Hibbertt Died of Wounds 21/06/40
Sergeant A Scott KIA

09/07/40
The London Gazette announced that a Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Squadron Leader George Archibald Marshall Pryde 32232 (deceased).

Name: PRYDE, GEORGE ARCHIBALD MARSHALL
Initials: G A M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Squadron Leader
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Age: 30
Date of Death: 19/06/1940
Service No: 32232
Awards: D F C
Additional information: Son of the Revd. John Marshall Pryde and Jean Marshall Pryde; husband of Honor Brown Pryde, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. His brothers, Sqdn. Ldr. D.G. Pryde, D.F.C. and Flying Offr. W.S. Pryde, also died on service.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 289.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


Sources: Tony Barr, The London Gazette and Malta: The Hurricane Years by Chris Shores, Brian Cull and Nicol Malizia

Alex
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 29
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pryde, William Symington, 37690, Flying Officer

Born 1917.

07/04/36
The London Gazette announced that William Symington Pryde was granted a Short Service Commission as an Acting Pilot Officer on Probation with effect from 23 March 1936.

04/05/37
The London Gazette announced that Acting Pilot Officer on Probation William Symington Pryde was confirmed in his appointment and graded as a Pilot Officer with effect from 27 January 1937.

01/11/38
The London Gazette announced that Pilot Officer William Symington Pryde has been promoted to Flying Officer with effect from 27 October 1938.

24/09/39
On 24 September 1939 Flying Officer William Symington Pryde was killed when the aircraft he was in crashed. The aircraft was possibly a Harvard trainer, N7067, which came down near Newton, Sleaford. At the time if his death Flying Officer Pryde may have been with an armament training school.

The Harvard was part of the Station Flight at Grantham.

Name: PRYDE, WILLIAM SYMINGTON
Initials: W S
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Age: 22
Date of Death: 24/09/1939
Service No: 37690
Additional information: Son of the Revd. John Marshall Pryde, B.D., and Jean Marshall Pryde, of Kilrenny Manse, Anstruther. His brothers Sqdn. Ldr. David Douglas Pryde, D.F.C. and Sqdn. Ldr. George Archibald Marshall Pryde, D.F.C., also died on service.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. D. 2. Grave 1.
Cemetery: ANSTRUTHER NEW CEMETERY

Sources: London Gazette, DaveW, RAF Aircraft L1000-N9999 by Air Britain Publications, CWGC.

There was a fourth brother, John Marshall Pryde. I believe he also joined the RAF in July 1937 on a Short Service Commission but this was terminated in December on 'cessation of duty'. There was also a John Marshall Pryde who was commissioned a 2/LT with the Argyl and Southerland Highlanders in August 1940 but by July 1943 he had been removed for the army. Don't know if they are the same person.

I have also discovered that the National Archives hold the Log Book for Sqn Ldr GAM Pryde. I've ordered a copy today, so it should arrive in the next couple of weeks.

Alex
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Alex Crawford



Joined: 25 Jul 2008
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Location: Fife

PostPosted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

I was up at Anstruther today and took a number of photos. Below is the gravestone for William Symington Pryde. His two brothers are also commemorated on the gravestone, although the weather and time has taken it's toll on the writting.





The two Birch trees just behind the memorial were planted in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Alex
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john burnett



Joined: 29 Jan 2007
Posts: 790
Location: Fife

PostPosted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:35 pm    Post subject: Anstruther Reply with quote

Thanks to Mrs Aase Goldsmith for the photos.
The plaque is below one of the birches.





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stuartn



Joined: 13 Dec 2016
Posts: 2551

PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The VJ day trees are WMR 85553
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