Operation: Training

Date: 30th March 1943 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 1622 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Flight

Type: Defiant TT.I

Serial: DR919

Code: 960

Base: RAF Gosport, Hampshire

Location: Chalk Lane, Pound Knapp, Lee-On-Solent

Pilot: Sgt. Rollo William Wesley Gallie NZ/416477 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

W/Op: AC 1. E. Tate RAFVR Injured - survived. No further information

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at around 10:20 hrs on a target towing exercise with the Royal Navy. The exercise had concluded but on return to base the Defiant suffered engine failure and stalled at low altitude whilst attempting a forced landing.

The aircraft crashed and caught fire at Chalk Lane, Pound Knapp in Lee-On-Solent (now part of the Golf course) The pilot was killed but incredibly the winch operator, although injured, survived. The subsequent board of enquiry concluded that the fuel tap had inadvertently been turned off.

The family of Brenda Gilbert have looked after the grave of Rollo since 1945. They kindly supplied this photo taken at his crash site on Anzac day 2020.

Burial details:

Rollo William Wesley Gallie. Gosport Cemetery (Ann's Hill). Plot 188. Grave 70. Born on the 10th June 1918 at Auckland, the son of Charles Gallie and of Adelaide Gallie (née Neill), of Auckland City, New Zealand. Prior to service a clerk working for Nathan Company in Auckland. A total of 360 flying hours logged with several on the Defiant.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Jenifer Lemaire, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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