Quest to find mystery Bearsden RAF war hero
HAUNTED after seeing a plane crash when he was five-years-old in which the pilot was killed, one man has carried out research to uncover the pilot's identity.
He has discovered that the pilot was Sergeant John Wright from 46 Milngavie Road, Canniesburn, Bearsden, which was also the address of his parents, Robert and Agnes Wright.
John Wright is buried at the New Kilpatrick (Hillfoot) cemetery in Bearsden and 20 years later on the day of the crash, September 4, his mother Agnes died and is buried with him.
David Morgan of Withyholt Park, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, said: "I was living ten miles south of the centre of London when I watched an RAF Hawker Hurricane pass over the roof of my house with only inches to spare and crash 100 yards further along the road.
"The pilot was pulled from the wreckage but died the following day.
"So far I have not managed to trace any living relatives but I'm hoping they may read this story and get in touch with me."
Mr Morgan found out that Sergeant Wright spent two months in pilot training school and was then posted to 79 Squadron (Biggin Hill) early July 1940, just as they were sent north to RAF Acklington to 'rest', as they had been in continuous operations in France (prior to Dunkirk) and Kent/Surrey/Sussex for two months.
During his time at Acklington, Wright would have familiarised himself with the Hurricane and possible saw some action when the squadron was called upon to help defend Newcastle from the odd Luftwaffe raid.
In late August, Fighter Command suffered severe losses of pilots, and aircraft and 79 Squadron was recalled to Biggin Hill on August 26 — Biggin Hill itself had been severely damaged and was to suffer more raids and damage. On September 14 several raids were detected heading across the English Channel.
Over 15 squadrons of RAF fighters were scrambled including No.79 (who did not have a complete squadron). At 1.05pm, John Wright was airborne with five other 79 squadron Hurricanes to patrol Beachy Head (42 miles south).
Ten minutes later at 15,000 feet they met with over 20 German Me 110 aircraft heading towards Biggin Hill and London. They attacked and pursued and less than 15 minutes later, with a damaged engine and himself possibly injured, John Wright crashed over 40 miles north west of the 'encounter' with the Me 110s.
David Morgan said: "It will never be known exactly what happened but it is possible to make a pretty good guess.
"One thing is known and that is he tried to land on a playing field, but aborted in case the children playing there at lunchtime didn't get out of his way. He also didn't bail out over the London suburbs. He lasted a total of nine days in the battle zone of London."
If you have any information about John Wright or any photos of him please contact the news team at Milngavie and Bearsden Herald phone 0141 956 3533 or click here.
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Weather for Milngavie
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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