| Pilot Officer
Ian Clark RAFVR was serving as Wireless Operator on board Whitley MkV
BD378 during a thousand bomber raid on Bremen on June 25/26,
1942. The aircraft, belonging to #24 Operational Training Unit, departed
Honeybourne at 2220hrs. Their last contact was when an S.O.S
signal was heard on the transmitter. Sealand responded at 0411hrs
but nothing more was heard from the crew, the entire crew was
lost. This was one of three
Whitley’s lost from 24 OTU on this operation. The
crew consisted of:
|
Name |
Service |
Trade |
Hometown |
Age |
|
F/O James Monro |
RNZAF |
Pilot |
Wellington, New Zealand |
21 |
|
F/O Gordon Lind |
RAAF |
Navigator |
Victoria, Australia |
23 |
|
F/Sgt John Storey |
RAFVR |
Bomb Aimer |
- |
- |
|
P/O Ian Clark |
RAFVR |
W/Op/AG |
Dundee,Angus,Scotland |
26 |
|
Sgt Harold Hudson |
RAFVR |
Rear Gunner |
- |
- |
F/O Lind is
remembered on the Runnymede Memorial. The other four crew members
rest in the Westerschelling General Cemetery on the Dutch Island of
Terschelling.
Pilot Officer
Ian Patterson Clark RAFVR, born on 9th April 1916, was
the son of John and Lily Clark of Craigmills, Strathmartine, Dundee,
Angus, Scotland. He was one of 5 brothers (William killed in the 1st
World War), Alexander, Allan and George and sisters Lily and
Margaret. Ian was aged eight when his mother died and was brought up
by his aunt, Lily. He is remembered by his family as having a great
sense of fun. He was a member of the despatch room at John Leng
& Co, Bank Street, Dundee.
Ian was awaiting
promotion as he had completed all of his tours of operations with
his squadron and was posted to #24 OTU as an instructor but all
personnel were called to take part in the thousand bomber raid on
Bremen. On July 18th 1942 he was due to marry Miss May
McMahon of Dundee but was sadly killed a few weeks before.
The following letter was written by Ian Clark to Allan Bush
Clark, his elder brother.
| Sun 21/6/42
Dear Allan,
Received your letter OK and glad to hear you are all
keeping fine at Waterside.
I’m sorry you won’t be able to come to the wedding
but it can’t be helped.
I’m quite sure May and I will be happy and I am looking
forward to the day very much. The arrangements are coming
along fine & May has had a busy time but things are more
or less fixed now.
I see you are to be busy during the summer one way or
another, not only you but Helen as well.
I’m still carrying on fine here and getting used to
Instructing now. Actually I do some Instructing on the
Turret and Guns as I am in charge of the Gunners in our
Flight. However I do a spot of flying occasionally, local
stuff only.
I’m afraid my news is very scarce just now as we just
carry on as usual. I’m quite used to this place now and
rather like it. There are some nice villages in the district
and as I have a bike I get around in the evenings. The
weather is lovely just now and warm & I like to get out
in the evenings.
I think that is about all again, Allan. My kindest
regards to Helen and the family. Cheerio for the present.
Yours aff.
Ian |
The
following is a transcript of a letter that Allan Bush Clark
received from his eldest brother Alexander Clark, informing him of
Ian’s death.
| Dear Allan
I write to you this note with a heavy heart, as there is
now no doubt but that we have lost Ian. I have had another
telegram which I will perhaps be better to give you word for
word.
It reads. Deeply regret to inform you according to
telegram from international Red Cross quoting German
information your brother Sgt. Clark previously reported
missing is now believed killed in action (stop) report
states his body was washed ashore at Terschelling on 27th
June. Letter follows.
The report fits in too well with information we already
had for any possibility of a mistake having been made.
I have already passed on the sad news to the others here
and a heart-breaking round it has been. May was out when I
called and I cannot say that I was sorry. Telling her Father
and Mother was bad enough. However there are duties that one
must face up to.
Lily is feeling it very badly and it is quite
understandable when you think back. She was really all the
mother he ever had.
Well, Allan, there is really little more I can say. I
know without telling the deep sense of loss this letter will
bring you, just as you will know that here we share it with
you.
Our young days at the Mill forged a link of affection
that only comes home to us at a time like this.
Yours aff.
Sandy |
|
