James Douglas Davie

Sergeant (Air Gunner) 752091, 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 26/07/1942. Age 25.

Born in Felixstowe in 1917, the eldest of four & only son of James Davie and Theodora Violet nee Outlaw. His father served with the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders. In 1939 the family were living at 52 Cobbold Road, Felixstowe.

At the outbreak of the Second World War 106 Squadron was flying Hampdens with 5 Group, and until early 1941 had a training role. It then reverted to front-line status and began regular night bombing operations against Fortress Europe. After a short spell with Manchesters, 106 converted to Lancasters in the early summer of 1942 (but it did not become converted completely to Lancasters before some of the Manchesters had participated in the 1,000-bomber raids on Cologne, Essen and Bremen)

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James was Air Gunner on Lancaster I R5608 which took off from Coningsby 2255 hrs, 25th July 1942 to lay mines in the Deodar region (Bordeaux). Shortly after take-off the plane was destroyed when it exploded in mid air and crashed on mudflats at Butterwick near Boston. Six others also died on the flight. Buried at Felixstowe New Cemetery. Sergeant Davie’s death is recorded at Boston, Lincolshire.