Operation: Rhubarb

Date: 08th July 1943 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 247 Squadron (11 Group)

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: EK224

Code: ZY-B

Base: RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex

Location: Westerschelde, Netherlands

Pilot: P/O. Ronald William Lornie NZ/413944 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Bradwell Bay in Essex at 16:10 hrs to carry out an anti-shipping strike at Nieuwesluis but for some reason P/O. Lorne who was flying as number two to the Squadron Commanding officer both flew south to attack gun positions at Breskens.

It is understood that he was hit by flak and turned away to the North Sea but then suddenly dived into the Westerschelde and was killed. His body was recovered by a vessel for the Kriegsmarine and then buried at location shown below

Burial details:

P/O. Ronald William Lornie. (Left) Flushing Northern Cemetery. (Vlissingen) Row F. Grave 21. (Right) P/O RW Lornie's name was recently added to the memorial at RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex, UK. Son of Thomas and Nan Lornie, of Auckland City, New Zealand and husband of D. M. Lornie, of Auckland City. A total of 441 flying hours logged and on his 24th operational sortie.

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”, Auckland Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Des Philippet for grave photo, Philip for the memorial image; 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 - 2024 Last Modified: 24 March 2021, 15:56