Operation: Transit flight
Date: 04/05th September 1942
Unit: No. 144 Squadron (Coastal Command)
Type: Hampden TB1
Serial: P1344
Code: PL-K
Base: RAF Sumburgh, Shetland Isles
Location: Petsamo (Pechenga-Пече́нга) Kola Peninsula
Pilot: P/O. Esmond Hamilton Edward Perry 110845 RAFVR PoW No: 829 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria (L3)
Obs: Fl/Sgt. Gordon Ernest Miller R/88850 RCAF Age ? Missing - believed killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. James Morton Robertson 1021461 RAFVR Age 31. Missing - believed killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Daniel Cameron Garrity 1061251 RAFVR Age 25. Missing - believed killed
Tech: Cpl. George Shepherd RAFVR Age 24. PoW - Stalag Teschen (8B)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Understood to have been on a transit flight to the Kola Peninsula to take part in fleet protection duties. 15 aircraft from the Squadron taking part along with a further 16 from 455 Squadron.
During the inbound flight they were attacked by two Bf109’s after also encountering anti-aircraft fire - they had reduced their height due to severe icing.
The pilot decided that it was proving to be a lost cause trying to out manoeuvre the Messerschmitts and so decided to try a force landing. Three crew were killed during the attempt - two were taken PoW.
It seems that the aircraft has since been recovered (1989) and is currently undergoing restoration at RAF Cosford. Sadly we have heard nothing further from the son of Sgt. Robertson keeping us updated on this. We would be interested, as of course would the other relatives of this crew, as to the current status? Much has been reported on the internet, but prefer first hand information if at all possible.
Burial details:
Fl/Sgt. Gordon Ernest Miller. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 105. Son of James M. and Jane Robertson, of Edinburgh and husband of Maybelle Robertson, of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Sgt. James Morton Robertson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 92. Husband of Elizabeth Louvain Miller, of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Sgt. Daniel Cameron Garrity. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 83. Son of Donald and Mary Cameron Garrity, of Gorbals Road, Glasgow, Scotland.
Notes: George Shepherd was from from Arnside in Cumbria, England. P/O. Esmond Hamilton Edward Perry retired from the RAF in 1966 as a Squadron Leader.
With many thanks to James Morton Robertson, the son of Sgt. James Robertson for details and bringing this loss to our attention. For further information our thanks to the following sources.
