William Alexander Hunter

[hmsk212]

Hi,

Trying to find out more about the circumstances of the death of Second Lieutenant William Alexander Hunter RAF. William died on 3rd July 1918 whilst serving at 2 Training Depot Station which I believe was at Gullane. Airmen Died has him as Killed whilst Flying in Camel D6680 and his Service Record states Drowned. Did he crash into the sea ? I would love to be able to find out just what did happpen to him, if anyone can point me into the right direction I would be most grateful.

Steve

[Errol Martyn]

Steve,

Camel D6680 . . . Landed in sea after aerial firing practice,"m/c very little damaged" 3.7.18 (2/Lt W A Hunter drowned; SOC 9.7.18.

Source: 'The Camel File' by Sturtivant and Page.

Errol

[hmsk212]

Hi Errol,

Many thanks for the information, much appreciated. Attached is a picture of the afore mentioned pilot.

Cheers

Steve

[Theletterwriter]

Steve

The Scottish Statutory Records (via Scotlands People) confirms that 2nd. Lieutenant William Alexander Hunter crashed in the Firth of Forth near Eyebroughy Point in the Parish of Direlton on 3 July 1918 @ 11.20 a.m. He was 21 years old and his usual residence was West Fenton air station which later became known as RAF Drem. Cause of death is confirmed as drowned as a result of aeroplane accident. The certificate was countersigned by the Acting Adjutant of No. 2 T.D.S. RAF.

Douglas

[hmsk212]

Many Thanks Douglas for the additional information, much appreciated.

Steve

[Swally]

William Alexander Hunter – 2^nd Lieutenant - Royal Air Force.

William, born in Cambuslang in 1897, son of David and Elizabeth, of St Ronans, Lanark.

2^nd Lieutenant Hunter died at the training Depot 3^rd July 1918, he was 21 years old. He joined the Royal Flying Corps at the age of 19 and trained as a pilot. Sadly during the final stages of his training his aircraft came down in the sea off Gullane, Ayrshire, and he was drowned.

 

 “LANARK AIR OFFICER DROWNED

 

“2^nd Lieutenant William Alexander Hunter, of the Royal Air Forces, had been drowned in the sea the previous day.  Lieutenant Hunter, who was the eldest son of Mrs Hunter, St Ronan’s, Bonnington Avenue, Lanark, joined the Air Forces about a year ago, and would have received his Pilot’s Certificate in the course of a few days.  The deceased was 21 years of age, and a native of Lanark.  Previous to the outbreak of war he was employed as an electrical engineer in the firm of Messrs Hunter & Jack, in which firm his father was a partner.  From the information to hand, it appears that Lieutenant Hunter had been on a flight, when, something going wrong with his aeroplane, he fell into the sea. The body was recovered, and the funeral, which will be a military one, will take place from Westray Farm to Pettinain Churchyard today (Saturday)”

Carluke and Lanark Gazette 06/07/1918

 “His coffin was wrapped in the Union Jack, the funeral procession being headed by a firing party where the Committal Service was read by Rev. Mr. Dickson.  Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the Bugles sounded the Last Post.”

William is buried in Pettinain Cemetery, Lanarkshire, and commemorated on Pettinain War Memorial.