The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject: AUCHTERARDER, WW2

The WW2 Memorial takes the form of gates erected at the entrance to the Great War Memorial which can be seen in the background;

DelBoy · Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:28 pm Post subject:

Allan, Robert. Pte. Black Watch
Darling, Andrew S. Sgt. Pilot. R.A.F.
Dewar, Robert. Pte. Black Watch
Donaldson, Charles H. Pte. R.M. Commandos
Forbes, John D. Sgt. R.A.F.
Fraser, Ernest J. L.Cpl. Cameronians S.R.
Gunn, Alastair D.M. Flt.Lieut. R.A.F.
Haxton, Robert L. Flt.Sgt. R.A.F.
Isaac, James. Flying Officer. R.A.F.
MacDonald, Hamish T. Pilot Officer. R.A.F.
McRostie, David. Gnr. Royal Artillery
Moir, John. Sgt. Air Gunner. R.A.F.
Munn, Andrew McK. Sgt. Seaforths & R.A.F.
Reid, James H. Flt.Lieut. R.A.F.
Sinclair, John E.C. Major. Royal Artillery
Smith, James I. Sqdn.Ldr. R.A.F.
Turnbull, Robert. Pte. Black Watch
Urquhart, Gordon A. Pte. A.&.S.H.
Whitelaw, John W. A.C.1. R.A.F.
Whittet, James. Corporal. R.A.F.

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Unless i am mistaken Alastair Gunn was one of the many escapees in the Great Escape from POW camp who was captured and then executed by the Gestapo in revenge.His father was the local Doctor.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject:

Nostalgic visit rekindles memories of Great Escape tragedy
Feb 4 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser

A YOUNG RAF officer from Auchterarder and his tragic role in the Great Escape from Second World War PoW camp Stalag Luft 111 is forming part of an archive at his base.

Flight Lieutenant Alistair DM Gunn was only 24 when he and 49 other escapees from the camp in Poland were executed on the personal orders of Hitler, who was furious at the great tunnelling feat from which 76 service personnel had escaped on March 24, 1944.

The young airman was the son of an Auchterarder doctor who was a much-respected figure in the town.

Now Mick Prendergast who helped establish a Heritage Centre at Oxfordshire’s RAF Benson has expressed a wish to make contact with Fl Lt Gunn’s relations.

He feels they may like a copy of this photograph of a smiling Alister Gunn, taken before he became a prisoner of war in March 1942.

Mike’s invitation to Fl Lt Gunn’s relations was made when Mrs Elisabeth (Betty) Morgan, nee McLaren, formerly of Auchterarder, was given a birthday tour of RAF Benson, where she was stationed during the Second World War and where she met her husband.

The visit to mark Mrs Morgan’s 91st birthday was organised by her daughter Jennifer Ogden, who spent her first 11 years in the Lang Toun.

With Mrs Morgan’s two grand-daughters also helped organise the nostalgic visit.

Jennifer, who lives on the Isle of Wight, said: “The visit was a huge success, largely due to the courtesy and attentiveness shown towards my mother by Mick Prendergast and Squadron Leader Mike Cook.”

“After the tour of the base, Mick showed us archive material from the war years.

Amongst the photos was the picture of Alistair Gunn, one of the 50 RAF officers shot by the Gestapo in 1944 after the mass escape from Stalag Luft 111.

“Mick was most interested when we were able to supply him with information, namely that Alistair was the son of an Auchterarder doctor and we were very familiar with his sad story.

“He would like to establish if there are any relatives who would wish to have a copy of the photograph.

“He is very enthusiastic about his role and keen to extend his archive material for future generations.”

Mick Prendergast can be contacted by writing to RAF Benson, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 6AA, by e-mailing d.prendergast594@benson.raf.mod.uk,or by calling 01491 837766 ext 7379.

OF the 76 men who made the Great Escape and survived, three avoided re-capture; 23 were recaptured and sent back PoW camp. The camp commandant at the time of the mass break-out was court-martialled by the Gestapo for not preventing the escape. The gripping story of the Great Escape was portrayed in the 1963 film starring Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen, James Garner and Gordon Jackson.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:52 pm Post subject:

Checked the P.A. Card Catalogue

GUNN, Alistair Donald Mackintosh (24)
Deansland, Perthshire
Flight-Lieutenant, R.A.F.
Killed in prison camp escape bid
PA 1944 May 20 p7 (obit.)

dalblair · Joined: 26 Aug 2010 Posts: 564 Location: coupar angus

Designed by RMMitchell 1948

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2018 5:49 pm Post subject:

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 82374

Mike Morley · Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:49 am Post subject:

Sandy Gunn is also named on Cargilfield Prep School and Fettes College War Memorials.