The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

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Another memorial that is not listed on UKNIWM.

The memorial is in Gretna Old Parish church at OS Map Ref: NY 319 680

It takes the form of a pair of brass vases, one is plain and the other bears an inscription. The inscription is very small and feint and I advise anyone who wants to read it themselves to take along a magnifying glass. For this reason the inscription is not possible to photograph and I have transcribed it.

PRESENTED BY MR AND MRS MITCHELL IN MEMORY OF THEIR SON SGT J K MITCHELL RAF REPORTED MISSING 25TH OCTOBER 1941

The first photo shows the vases as they are normally situated for a service.

For some reason he is not listed on SNWM but this from CWGC

Name: MITCHELL, JAMES KINLOCH
Initials: J K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 500 Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 25/10/1941
Service No: 1051250
Additional information: Son of James and Elizabeth Mitchell, of Gretna, Dumfriesshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 48.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 7:46 pm Post subject:

James Kinloch Mitchell – age 20 – Sergeant (1051250) 500 Squadron, Coastal Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
James was educated at Gretna school, at Annan Academy, where he was sports champion in 1935, and at Dumfries Academy, before he joined the Carlisle Post Office. He enlisted a year later in August 1940. In 1941 500 Squadron had converted to Blenheims and were flying from RAF Bircham Newton in Norfolk on reconnaissance patrols and bombing raids on enemy coastal targets.
Born 1920 in Gretna. Son of James and Elizabeth Mitchell of the Post Office, Gretna.
Missing in Action on 25 October 1941.
Commonwealth War Grave – Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
_________________
Ken