Hi. Many thanks for all your info to date. See
The aerial footage at 1.40 is flight over RAF Bradwell Bay with FIDO alight on runway 1.
I am trying to get verification regarding the death of Ronald William Lornie NZ413944. He did his basic flying training Aug 41 at RNZAF station Harewood, course 19B. He was stationed here at RAF Bradwell Bay and I believe that his last flight on 8th July 1943 was in Typhoon 1B EK224 ZY-B of 247 Squadron RAF as they were at this station up until 10th July. However I cannot find conclusive proof that he flew from here and his name does not appear on the Memorial at the entrance to the station.
We are having a flypast and celebration to mark the anniversary of the closing of RAF Bradwell Bay on 27th August and I would like to get P/O Lornie added to the memorial as part of this event but need to check my facts first.
He went to Meadowbank School and Auckland Grammar School, he was the son of Nan and Thomas Lornie, was married to D M Lornie. He was killed in action over Holland and is buried in Flushing, Zeeland, Holland. At the time of his death he was a Flight Sergeant but had been put forward for a commission.
Any help appreciated. P
From Volume Two of my
For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915:
Rhubarb - anti shipping strike to Nieuwesluis, Netherlands
247 Squadron, RAF (Bradwell Bay, Essex - 11 Group)
Typhoon IB EK224/B - took off at 1610 as ‘No 2’ to the Squadron commanding officer, and failed to return. Apparently the pair diverted from the designated target, or flew south after reaching it, and attacked gun positions near Breskens at the mouth of the Westerschelde opposite Vlissingen. EK224 was hit by flak and turned away towards the open sea, but suddenly dived into the river, at 1643. The pilot’s body was recovered by a vessel of the Kriegsmarine and buried at Vlissingen.
Pilot: NZ413944 Plt Off
Ronald William LORNIE, RNZAF - Age 22. 441hrs. 24th op.
According to a history of 247 Sqn the order for the squadron to move from Bradwell was received the same day, but it seems it took a day or two for this to be fully accomplished.
And bio entry from my Vol Three:
LORNIE, Pilot Officer Ronald William.
NZ413944; b Auckland 16 Apr 21; Auckland Grammar; clerk - Challenge Phosphate Co, Auckland.
RNZAF Levin/ITW as Airman Pilot u/t 6 Jul 41, 3EFTS 17 Aug 41, 1FTS 27 Sep 41, Pilots Badge [wef 8.11.41] & Sgt 20 Dec 41, att RAF & emb for UK 20 Jan 42, 3PRC 10 Mar 42, 5(P)AFU 21 Apr 42, 59OTU (Hurricane) 10 May 42, 247 Sqn (Hurricane, Typhoon; 24 ops) 14 [22?] Jul 42, Comm 1 Jun 43,
kao 8 Jul 43. Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery - F.21, Walcheren, Zeeland, Netherlands. Son of Thomas & Nan Lornie, Remuera, Auckland; h of Dorothy May Lornie (née Jewell) & f of 1 child, Preston, England. [phot.
TWN 15.9.43].
Errol
