Published: Thursday, 8th May, 2008 09:00
Airforce war hero at Battle Sunday
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FLT LT John CruickshanK the sole-surviving RAF-holder of the Victoria Cross, lays a wreath at the ‘Battle of the Atlantic Sunday’ commemoration.
SCOTLAND’S role in protecting strategic sea lanes during the darkest days of the Second World War was recognised at a moving ceremony in North Berwick on Sunday.
Servicemen past and present gathered at the RAF Coastal Command Memorial on Anchor Green, beside the Scottish Seabird Centre, to mark ‘Battle of the Atlantic Sunday’ – a celebration of the winning of the maritime war against the German U-boat menace.
The memorial had been inaugurated on the same date in 2007, but with the RAF also celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2008, there was added poignancy to the act of commemoration organised by the Maritime Air Trust.
The short service, conducted by RAF chaplain in chief, the Rev (Air Vice-Marshal) Peter Mills, was attended by a number of senior RAF personnel and civil dignitaries, including Rear Admiral Neil Rankin CBE, the local ward councillor.
Several surviving members of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, which flew Spitfires out of East Fortune during the war, were also present, including 95-year-old Flt Sgt Jackie Bell, of Edinburgh.
Guest of honour, however, was Flt Lt John Cruickshank, the sole-surviving RAF-holder of the Victoria Cross.
The Aberdonian was 24 years old, and a flying officer in 210 Squadron, when in July 1944 his catalina flying boat attacked a U-boat off the Lofoten Islands, Norway.
A flak shell burst inside the aircraft, killing one crew member and wounding two others. Despite suffering 12 wounds to his lungs and legs FO Cruickshank went in again, releasing his depth charges, destroying the German submarine.
On the hazardous five and a half hour return journey he lost consciousness several times, but insisted on helping to land the aircraft.
Sir Garth Morrison, the Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, represented Her Majesty The Queen at Sunday’s commemoration and took the salute.
Gp Capt Bob Kemp, director (Scotland) of the RAF Benevolent Fund, helped organise Sunday’s proceedings. He was also responsible for the siting of the memorial in North Berwick.
“North Berwick was a fitting venue for this very significant commemoration,” he said.
“The RAF Coastal Command Memorial is seen by more than 250,000 visitors to the Scottish Seabird Centre every year and provides a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many in helping to preserve our freedom.”
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