Operation: Standing patrol

Date: 29th December 1942 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 91 Squadron (motto: 'We seek alone'). 11 Group

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: EN782

Code: DL-?

Base: RAF Lympne, Kent

Location: English Channel

Pilot: P/O. Irvin William Downer NZ/404853 RNZAF Air 22. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 27th of November 1941 during a 'Jim Crow' ) fighter patrol over coastal waters) attacked by Me109 off Boulogne, he managed wheels up landing at RAF Hawkinge. The Spitfire was struck off charge but the pilot survived with no injuries.

Taking off at 14:40 hrs on a standing patrol with one other. Shot down by enemy fighters and crashed into the sea between Beachy Head and Hastings.

His companion on this sortie, P/O. William George Mart from the squadron and an air-sea rescue Lysander searched for the pilot, without success.

Burial details:

P/O. Irvin William Downer. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 115. Born on the 21st December 1920 in Christchurch. Educated at St. Andrews College in Christchurch. Electrical and hydraulic for Brown Brothers. Enlisted at Levin as a pilot under training on the 01st December 1940. With No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 20th January 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 27th March 1941. With No. 6 Service Flying Training School on the 21st April 1941. Pilot badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 03rd July 1941.

Embarked for England on the 21st July 1941. With No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre 16th August 1941. 61 Operational Training Unit on the 21st August 1941 flying the Spitfire. Baled out after engine failure/fire on the 09 September 1941, not injured. 55 Operational Training Unit on the 11th March 1942 flying the Hurricane. Joined 91 squadron on the 10th April 1942. Awarded commission on the 18th October 1942.

Son of William Henry Hill Downer and Ethel Downer (née Laine) of Fendalton, Christchurch, New Zealand, husband of Joyce Evelyn Downer (née Mee - died 18th December 1998 in Christchurch, New Zealand, age 74), father of a daughter, of Folkestone, Kent, England.

Above:- L-R: Rear; Fredrickson, Douglas Loftus Jones, Longuet, Greenslade, McVay, Newlands, Haden, Emery, Thomas, Todman, Penny, Shuttleworth, Gartrell, Summers, Nilsson, Robertson, Woodcock, Brandon, Williamson.

Centre; Brown, Mitchell, Willis, Gavin, IL Jones, Austen, Downer, Clark, Win, Wilson, Stephens, Mahood, Martin, Irving, Sullivan, Bayley, Black, Calder.

Front; Thiele, Woods, Upton, McClure, Tucker, Micholls, Page, Flight Lieutenant Smart, Edge, Shield, Beu, Powell, Webber, Hendry. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below:

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