75 Years ago today - Tuesday July 16th 1940

Thursday 16th July 2015 at 11:05

Tuesday 16th July 1940.   75 years on from the Battle of Britain we remember Sgt. Alistair David William Main (748115), son of Mr & Mrs D W Main of Dundee.  He joined the RAFVR in May 1939 and was called up on 1st September the same year. During May 1940 he went to No,5 OTU at Aston Down converted to Hurricanes and joined 249 Squadron at Leaconfield on 28th.


He shared a Ju88 'kill' off Hornsea on the 8th July but lost his life just 8 days later at the age of 22.  Sgt. Main was beginning a night patrol off the Yorkshire coast when engine failure on take-off caused his Hurricane (P2995) to clip telegraph wires, crash and burn at Copmanthorpe Wood near York at 00.52am.  He died in the crash and the aircraft was written-off. Sgt. Main was cremated at Dundee crematorium.