Anderson, J G (John Gouinlock)
Anderson, J G (John Gouinlock)
Flying Officer John Gouinlock Anderson was the son of John Gouinlock Anderson and Margaret Williamina Maitland Anderson, of Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. He served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit when he died.
At 02:48 hours on the 13th of July 1943, a Wellington Bomber[1] (HF838), was coming into land after a training flight. The plane had already attempted to land twice, both attempts aborted due to the weather conditions. Like the previous attempts, it was still raining heavy with gusts of wind causing problems to the aircraft and to the trainee pilot. This time though, he came in exceptionally low and had reduced the speed of the aircraft so much that it caused it to suddenly plunge into the ground.
HF838 crashed into an area called Dickey Glen, near Limavady. Flying Officer Captain J.M. Tait,[2] Pilot Officer J.W. Hindmarsh,[3] Flight Officer J.A. Anderson,[4] Pilot Officer F.D. Butland[5] and Serjeant J.W. Hughes were killed.[6] Luckily Pilot Officer W.J. Moss (J.20108) survived, although wounded.
John Anderson suffered multiple burns and injuries causing instant death during the crash landing.
A military funeral was accorded to him on the 15th of July at 10:30 hours, with band, firing party and trumpeters. Wreaths were laid by the men of RAF Limavady.
In this same cemetery is also buried Pilot Officer F.D. Butland and nearby in Limavady’s, St. Mary’s Church is buried Flight Sergeant John William Hughes.
Date of Death: 13/07/1943 (Age 24)
Service: Flying Officer (Navigator), Royal New Zealand Air Force, 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit.
Service Number: 416624
Burial Location: Grave 15.
[1] The Vickers Wellington was a twin engines long range bomber, that made its maiden flight during June 1936, finally going into service October 1938.
[2] James Maxwell Tait (service number 126068) was the son of James Maxwell Tait and Margaret Johnston Tait, of Berwick-on-Tweed. He was taken home and laid to rest in Berwick-Upon-Tweed Cemetery, England.
[3] John William Hindmarsh (service number 137623) was the son of William and Jane C. Hind marsh, of Sunderland; husband of Evelyn Elenor Hind marsh, of Sunderland, he was a member of the Pharmaceutical Society. John was taken home and laid to rest in Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery, England. Ward 14. Sec. B.B. Grave 14089.
[4] John Gouinlock Anderson (service number NZ416624) was the son of John Gouinlock Anderson and Margaret Williamina Maitland Anderson, of Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. John was laid to rest in this cemetery, Drumachose (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard.
[5] Flying Officer Frederick Dick Butland (service number J.20423) was the son of Frederick George Butland of Katie Constance, Butland, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Frederick was laid to rest in this cemetery, Drumachose (Christ Church) Church of Ireland Churchyard
[6] Flight Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) John William Hughes (service number NZ41436) was the son of John Bernard and Beatrice Maud Hughes, of Palmerston North, Wellington, New Zealand. He was laid to rest in Limavady, (St Mary), Roman Catholic Church, Grave 3.
