The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Location: Royal British Legion, Links Road, Longniddry

This memorial commemorates the deaths of twelve Naval personnel as well as a civilian bus driver who lost their lives in an accident on 27th April 1943.

The memorial is located on the wall in front of the Royal British Legion.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 6:41 pm Post subject:

The coach driver:
MATHIESON, DAVID
Rank:Civilian
Date of Death:27/04/1943
Age:43
Regiment/Service:Civilian War Dead
Reporting Authority:EAST LOTHIAN COUNTY, SCOTLAND
Additional Information:Son of the late Andrew and Mary Mathieson, of 9 New Winton, Tranent; husband of Helen W. K. Mathieson, of 19 Dean Park Street, Edinburgh. Died at Fernieness.

There is some detail on the others at
http://2ndww.blogspot.co.uk/2007/11/wartime-tragedy-at-hms-fernieness-range.html

and this report:
During WW2 Ferny Ness, East Lothian was used as a dive bombing range (Fleet Air Arm) and a Naval Gunnery Practice Range. The spellings 'Fernie Ness' or 'Fernieness' were used as a ploy to confuse the Germans as to its location.

A report about the accident at H.M.S. Fernieness on 27 April 1943:

"On 27/04/43 a Fleet Air Arm aircraft was practising dive bombing at the range. It had successfully completed one pass. On the second it lost control and crashed in front of an SMT bus, bounced and hit the bus.

In the ensuing fire 14 lost their lives".

There is some additional stuff here:
http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-ftopic153.html
_________________
Ken

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Ken, thank you, once again, for this very finding information to complete some items I have posted. The details from the various reports make such interesting reading and I'm glad to see one of them lists the men involved who lost their lives.
Kind regards
Morag.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 7:08 am Post subject:

Morag - I was really curious about this incident. I'd never heard of it.

I think the plaque remembers the men killed on the bus.

The two airmen killed were from the Fleet Air Arm base at Crail in Fife.
(770 Squadron)

HARTLEY, ROBERT
Rank:Leading Airman
Service No:FX. 86655
Date of Death:27/04/1943
Age:20
Regiment/Service:Royal Navy H.M.S. Jackdaw.
Grave Reference:Compt. 157. Grave 32.
Cemetery:HULL NORTHERN CEMETERY
Additional Information:Son of Robert and Margaret Ann Hartley, of Gipsyville, Hull.

JOLL, KENNETH ROY
Rank:Sub-Lieutenant (A)
Date of Death:27/04/1943
Age:20
Regiment/Service:Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve H.M.S. Jackdaw.
Grave Reference:Grave 1538.
Cemetery:ABINGTON (SS. PETER AND PAUL) CHURCHYARD
Additional Information:Son of Eustace Sanders Joll and Winifred Joll. of Northampton.
_________________
Ken

mhomac · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 779 Location: South Lanarkshire

Perhaps this was another case of not telling the public as it was an accident and not too good for morale at the time.