Operation: Diver Patrol
Date: 12th July 1944 (Wednesday)
Unit: No. 610 Squadron 10 Group (motto: 'Alifero tollitur axe ceres' - 'Ceres rising in a winged chariot')
Type: Spitfire XIV
Serial: RB142
Code: DW-B
Base: RAF Friston, East Sussex
Location: The Brooks, Drove Road, Newhaven
Pilot: F/O. George Mercer McKinlay 136433 RAFVR Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
22/23rd June Flying RB142 shared V1 with Fl/Lt. J.B. Shepherd over the English Channel. Between 05:20 - 06:25 hrs. A total of 49 V1s destroyed by allied fighters.
05th July 1944 Reported strikes on 2 V1s but no claim submitted. A total of 42 V1s destroyed by allied fighters.
07th July 1944 Flying RB142 2 x V1s claimed. A total of 48 V1's destroyed by allied fighters.
12th July 1944 Flying RB142 1 x V1 claimed at 16:05hrs. A total of 62 V1s destroyed by Allied fighters.
An eye witness to his loss described what happened:
'I remember the crash well, and the day was a Wednesday, and it happened between 16.15 - 16.30 hrs because it was a few days after my birthday and I remember the time because I was due back at the Post Office at 16.30 hrs.
I was delivering telegrams to 'The Drove' area, and I saw and heard the flying bomb. The Spitfire came from the Fort area (south-west). The Spitfire fired at the flying bomb with his machine guns and cannons, but to no effect. Then I saw the Spitfire go faster and closer to the flying bomb, it fired again and flew through the blast (explosion). I was surprised to see him come out of the cloud of smoke and debris and the plane was now mis-firing. He turned left, and flew over Newhaven (Near Somerfields), he slid his canopy back and turned again over Newhaven (left), and came back over 'The Drove'.
I watched him and I saw that he was half out of the cockpit. The plane then stalled and went into the ground, and blew up. I cycled back to the bottom of The Drove, very quickly, and rode through the anti-aircraft site, I slung my bike to the ground and ran across towards the crash. There was a ditch and as I got there a Sergeant was already on the plank across the ditch, and in the water was a Private Soldier with a blanket (black with red piping) and a body was being held between them. I assisted with the end of the blanket from my side of the ditch, and then returned to my bike and rode to the Post Office'.
McKinlay flew alongside Canadian Ben Scaman RCAF, who has a fascinating story to tell. It was from a photo in his log book that we picked up the loss of F/O. George McKinlay and we wanted to find out more. With thanks to the Canadian journalist Elinor Florence for publishing her wonderful interview with Ben Scaman.
It is widely believed that the young pilot McKinlay was trying to manoeuvre his stricken Spitfire away from populated areas avoiding loss of life from the civilian population.
The Newhaven Historical Society suggested to Newhaven Council that the new development in the area of the crash should be named after the pilot. They agreed and in 2019 'McKinlay Way' was so named.Sadly, his brother, Cpl. Leslie White McKinlay was also lost on the 02nd September 1941. Further details of his tragic loss here.
Burial details:
F/O. George Mercer McKinlay. Gateshead Cemetery (Saltwell) Div. 5. Grave 5701. Born on the 24th April 1921 at Dumbarton, Scotland , the son of William and Bessie McKinlay of Gateshead, England. Grave inscription: 'For None That Knew Him Need Be Told A Warmer Heart Death Ne'er Made Cold'.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Elinor Florence, Ray Turner, Newhaven Council, Newhaven Historical Society, Argos Newspapers for further details. Other sources as quoted below:
KTY 18.01.2020
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 04 April 2021, 11:31