Human remains discovered at WWII crash site
Mairi Gordon • Published 31 Jul 2012 09:24
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Human remains have been uncovered at the site of a crashed Second World War RAF Spitfire which began its journey in East Lothian.
The plane took off from Drem Airbase on January 16 January 16th, 1943 on an ill-fated training flight.
Lothian and Borders Police began the search on Friday after being contacted by a voluntary group which specialises in excavation and recovery of Second World War aircraft who discovered a number of bones. The bones have been examined by anthropologists and pathologists who have confirmed they are human remains.
The pilot is understood to have taken off from Drem Airfield on a training flight. A short time later the plane crashed at Westruther near Greenlaw, Berwickshire. The pilot, 20 year old, Sergeant Malcolm Eric Edward Roberston, Royal New Zealand Air Force, was killed in the crash and his remains were interred at Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow.
Lothian and Borders Police trained body recovery officers and search officers were assisted by anthropologists from Dundee University, Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification.
Detective Superintendent Lesley Boal of Lothian and Borders Police said: "While the remains were recovered at the site where a Second World War Spitfire crashed on 16th January 1943, we will not be able to confirm identity until specialist forensic testing has been carried out. Our primary objective is to safely and securely undertake a dignified recovery of any other human remains present at the previously excavated site.
"While we are unable to confirm identification at the moment, the next of kin of the deceased pilot has been contacted and we will continue to keep them updated.
"An initial report has been submitted to the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Team of Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service and we continue to liaise with the MoD".
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