FortyTwa
Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 128 Location: United Kingdom
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 2:05 pm Post subject: W/O John E Stephen, Hyne, Isle of Coll |
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This plaque was dedicated last year at the instigation of a local retired police officer and marks the location of a Hawker Hurricane training exercise accident which resulted in the death of Warrant Officer/Pilot John E Stephen.
The aircraft was attached to 516 Squadron, 26 Group, Bomber Command, then operating out of RAF Connel near Oban.
W/O Stephen and two other Hurricane pilots took off on a low-flying training exercise scheduled to take place just off the Ardnamurchan Peninsula but, on completing the exercise and heading back to RAF Connel, they encountered heavy cloud and mist.
The three aircraft split up to find the nearest suitable landing area, with W/O Stephen setting course for RAF Tiree.
He never made it and his wrecked aircraft was discovered three days later on the remote croft at Hyne on the Isle of Coll.
Fragments of the aircraft are still visible on the ground.
Name: STEPHEN, JOHN EDWARD
Initials: J E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Warrant Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 516 Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 06/02/1944
Service No: 903322
Additional information: Son of Maj. E. F. Stephen and Constance Stephen, of Havant.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 3. Grave 746.
Cemetery: HAVANT AND WATERLOO (WARBLINGTON) CEMETERY
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