Operation: Patrol

Date: 27th July 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 137 Squadron (motto: 'Do Right Fear Naugh't)

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: MN156

Code:

Base: RAF Manstin, Kent

Location: Denton Court, Kent

Pilot: F/O. 'Moe' Ralph Alexander Johnstone J/22310 (R114604) RCAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

In the morning of the 31st July 1943 during a low level formation and gun camera practice 24 year old, Fl/Sgt. John Mcgowan Barclay was flying as No. 1 to P/O. Ralph Johnstone flying Hurricane KZ662 Diving from 2,000 ft trying to get P/O. Johnston off his tail failed to pull out of the dive and struck the ground in a field opposite Mundon Road near Maldon, Essex with his Hurricane IV KZ569 bursting into flames killing the

The official services arrived and removed the body of 24-year-old Flight Sergeant Barclay to the mortuary at St Peter’s Hospital. What was left of the Hurricane was guarded by RAF personnel, who moved people on. The following day it was taken away on a 'Queen Mary' (a semi-trailer combination designed for the carriage and recovery of aircraft).

On the 27th July 1944 he was taking part in an anti-diver (V1 - 'flying bomb') patrol in the morning. At 08:20 hrs operation room reported that the aircraft had gone into clouds at 08:38 hrs and nothing further was heard.

It was later discovered that two aircraft had collided in mid-air. The other aircraft, Typhoon Ib MN596 flown by 21 year old Fl/Sgt. Arthur Reginald Hack was also lost over Denton Court, Kent - killing both of the young pilots.

Burial details:

F/O. 'Moe' Ralph Alexander Johnstone. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 52. H. 8. Born on the 11th June 1922 in Saskatchewan. He was employed as a truck driver and butter wrapper at Johnstone Dairies, where his father and two of his brothers were the owners, Enlisted on the 14th July 1941. Trained at No. 2 Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba, then to No. 2 Initial Training School;l in Regina, No.19 Elementary Flying Training School Joined No. 2 Service Flying Training School in Uplands, Ontario in Virden, Manitoba. Postednt overseas on the 22nd June 1942 joining 137 squadron.

Son of William Henry (died 16th August 1983, age 98) and Clara Irene Johnstone (née Lillicoe - died 21st February 1967, age 79), of of 845 Alder Avenu, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Johnst.ne (née Lillicoe - died 21st February 1967, age 79), of 845 Alder Avenue, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. He had three brothers and four sisters. One brother died at the age of 15 in 1930. Epitaph 'We Will Cherish His Memory Always To Brighten The Drifting Years'.

Others mentioned i this report:

Fl/Sgt. John Mcgowan Barclay 655794 RAF. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 25. C. 9. From Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Fl/Sgt. Arthur Reginald Hack 1388930 RAFVR. Enfield Cemetery (Lavender Hill).Sec. C. Cons. Grave 6179. Son of Cornelius and Sarah Elizabeth Hack. of Enfield, London, England. Epitaph: 'Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends'.

RAF Manston 05th March 1943

Above l-r: P/O. Robert Leslie Smith DFC/DFM - F/O. Edward Lancelot Musgrave RAAF (KIA 18/5/43) - P/O. Desmond Eaton Roberts RNZAF - Fl/Sgt. John McGowan Barclay (KIA 31/7/43) - W/O. Arthur Gaston Brunet RCAF - Fl/tL John Michael Bryan (KIA 10/6/44) - F/O. Joseph Laurier DeHoux RCAF (KIA 2/9/43) - Sgt. Aubrey Cartwright Smith; - F/O. John Edward McClure RCAF - Sgt. Norbury Dugdale - Sgt. Thomas Arthur Sutherland - Sgt.. Ernest Alfred Bolster - F/O. John Maude Hadow - Sq/Ldr/ Humphrey St John Coghlan, DFC - Sgt.. Robert Woodhouse. The dog's name was Lynn and belonged to John Michael Bryan.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the e National Archives Kew AIR 27-954-43/44. Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project, Paradie RCAF Archives, Government of Canada WW2 Service records.

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2026 Last Modified: 07 July 2025, 11:48