Operation: Training

Date: 22nd November 1943 (Monday)

Unit: No. 269 Squadron (motto: Omnia videmus - 'We see all things') Coastal Command

Type: Hudson IIIA

Serial: FK758

Code: UA-?

Base: RAF Reykjavic, Iceland

Location: North Atlantic Ocean

Pilot: W/O.II. Robert Loraine Kitchener Forrester R/61777 RCAF Age 28. Killed

Obs: Fl/Sgt. David Macmillan 1550989 RAFVR Age 21 Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Jack Blaylock NZ/392008 RNZAF Age 33. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Leo Raymund Slatter NZ/411716 RNZAF Age 26. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a rocket projectile firing practice, the pilot WO.II. Forrester pulled out of a practice dive too low and failed to flatten out and crashed into the ocean 14 miles east of Keflavick. Two bodies were later recovered.

The squadron ceased this practice in this area due to another accident in similar circumstance.

Above L-R: W/O. Forrester, Fl/Sgt. Macmillan, Fl/Sgt.Blaylock and Fl/Sgt. Slatter

Burial and personal details:

W/O.II. Robert Loraine Kitchener Forrester. Reykjavik Cemetery (Fossvogur) Grave: C48. 3. Born on the 09th February 1915 at Bromhead. Worked as a motor mechanic for his father prior to enlisting on the 15th July 1940 at Regina. Son of Robert William and Louise Forrester (nee Hallick), of Bromhead, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grave inscription: 'Ever Remembered And Sadly Missed By Mother, Dad, Brothers And Sister'.

Fl/Sgt. David Macmillan. Reykjavik Cemetery (Fossvogur) Grave: C48. 2. Born on the 25th November 1922 in Glasgow, Scotland. Enlisted on the 19th May 1941 in Edinburgh. Started training as a pilot but remustered on the 10th December 1941 for training as an observer. Awarded his observers badge and promoted to sergeant in November 1942. Son of John Arthur and Isa Macmillan, brother of Margaret and Campbell of 13 Harrington Road, East Killbride, Scotland and husband of Ellenor Macmillan (nee Spraque), of 708 Goulding Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Grave inscription: 'At Dawn Our Beloved David Flew To That Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere'.

Fl/Sgt. Jack Blaylock. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 198. Born on the 15th January 1910 at Nelson. Worked as a labourer for Public Works Department prior to enlisting at Levin on the 29th December 1939. Awarded his air gunners badge and promoted to sergeant on the 25th May 1942. Son of William and Margaret Ann Blaylock (nee Pope), of Havelock, Marlborough, New Zealand. 515 flying hours logged and completed 5 operational sorties.

Fl/Sgt. Leo Raymund Slatter. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 199. Born on the 08th December 1916 at Wanganui. A store man for NZ Glass Manufactures prior to service. Enlisted at Hobsonville on the 27th January 1941. Started training as a pilot on the 14th April 1941 but this was terminated on the 20th June 1941. Awarded his air gunners badge and promoted to sergeant on the 25th May 1942. Son of Benoni John Frederick and Mary Anne Slatter (nee Fitzpatrick), of 13 Turakina Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland. 445 flying hours logged and completed 5 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

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