Saturday 18 December 2021

911664 Leading Aircraftman Albert Edward McQuitty, 1917-21/2/1941.

 FATE OF AIRMEN

(By Telegraph.— Press Association) AUCKLAND, Thursday 

The following air casualties are officially announced: — 

Leading Aircraftsman Albert Edward McQuitty, R.A.F., aged 25, missing on air operations. His father is Mr J. McQuitty, Ravensbourne, Otago.  -Waikato Times, 27/3/1941.


NEW ZEALAND AIR CASUALTIES 

Leading Aircraftman A. E. McQuitty, who was reported yesterday missing after operations, is a son of Constable J. McQuitty, of Ravensbourne, and was born in Dunedin and educated at Milton and the Otago Boys’ High School, from which he matriculated. He learned to fly in the Otago Aero Club, and in 1939 went to England, where he joined the Royal Air Force.  -Evening Star, 28/3/1941.


DEATHS PRESUMED

AIR FORCE PERSONNEL 

(By Telegraph.— Press Association) WELLINGTON. Monday The following New Zealand air personnel casualties are reported:  — 

McQUITTY, Albert Edward (Leading-Aircraftsman). R.A.F., previously reported missing, death now officially presumed by the Air Ministry as in February, 1941. Mr J. McQuitty, Ravensboume (father).   -Waikato Times, 3/3/1942.


Albert McQuitty was a member of No. 209 Squadron, RAF, and a crew member of a Saro Lerwick flying boat when he met his fate.  The Lerwick was one of the worst flying designs of the Second World War.  A twin-engined plane, it was unstable and underpowered, unable to be flown "hands off" - a liability for a long patrol flight - and unable to maintain altitude or a straight course on one engine.  Of the 21 Lerwicks built, 11 were lost to accidents.  Albert's Lerwick took off on convoy patrol over the Atlantic Ocean in good weather and simply did not return.


FOR THE EMPIRE’S CAUSE 

In Memoriam

McQUITTY. — In loving memory of our dear son, Albert (Bert). R.A.F., killed on active service, February 22, 1941. ”He gave his life that we might live." — Inserted by his loved ones.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/3/1945.


Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.



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