大象传媒

This story has been added to The People's War Website by CSV Volunteer,Ann Toomey on behalf of the author, Ann Toomey who understands the site's terms and conditions.

John Oswald Irving was born on 15th June, 1921 and died on 17th December, 1942, aged 21.

He was born near the River Tyne in a little village called Percy Main. He had two sisters, Doris and Edith. His Mam and Dad were well known - father (my uncle) being a churchwarden and his wife a seamstress.

Jack's first job was with the Coop Milk Depot, where he sustained a leg injury caused by a horse kicking him. His greatest ambition was to become a policeman but because of this injury this was not possible. However, it did not preclude him from joining the RAF, where he was a bomb aimer on Lancaster Bombers.

He had an alsatian dog called Juno. He lived with his parents and he had lots of friends, so the house was always full.His father was a signalman on the railway and so the family had passes and were able to travel around in the 1930's.

I cannot remember meeting Jack, as I was born in 1941, but on my first birthday I received a birthday card from him saying from "Flyaway Jack" - I still have this card and treasure it.

Sometime before December 1942, Jack was home on leave and had said to his Dad that he thought he would take his dog - Juno - back to camp so that the dog could be the Squadron mascot. However, at the last moment he changed his mind and said that he would take him next time - there never was a next time. On the 17th December, 1942 he was on a training mission flying from Scampton, Lincs - on the way back, over the Lizard, nr. Predannack, the plane crashed - said to be caused by lightening. We subsequently found out that the plane was shot down by friendly fire.

As far as I know it happened shortly after midnight on the 17th December. On board I think there were - Pilot - Manson, New Zealand, who still may have relatives in Dunedin, N.Z. Sgnt. J.O. Irving, air bomber, No.1554616. R.S. Dore - 1580650, age 21. W.H. Taylor - 6131313, age 22 years. The others were either RAF or posibly Polish. They are all buried in the War Cemetary in Helston, Cornwall, which are well tended by the British Legion, and as a relative I visit regularly.

There was a lady from the British Legion, Olive Reynolds who used to look after the Graves in Helston. I corresponded with her in 1999 and she told me that she rarely heard from the families of "her boys". She received the RBL Diamond Jubilee Medallion for her work for the British Legion.

Jack's Aunt (my mother) is still alive and living in a residential home in Cornwall - she is now nearly 95 years old and completely blind.

I write this in tribute to my cousin Fly Away Jack" and to all the crew of the Lancaster Bomber No. W4359.

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