410905 - Unaccounted airman - 5-9-1941

[Henk Welting]

What was the place of death registration for AC2 Ian R. MacK. AIRD - 1342505.

Regards,
Henk.

[dennis_burke]

Can't see him on Q3 or Q4 registers for UKW or on Scotland???

I also Tried as MacKenzie Aird but no luck

Found what I think must be him in Flight as DOAS,

DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE.—A/C.2 R. I. R. Aird
There is a difference on the last initial but no one else on CWGC fits the bill.

[alclark]

Could his death have occurred in Northern Ireland? That would account for him not being on the England & Wales and Scotland registers. There isn't much from CWGC though he is buried locally to his home.

The only fatal accident I have from ORBs on this day was a 58 OTU crash.

September 5th 1941, “The death of 106638 Sgt R. Brady in a flying accident occurred today. Sgt Brady came through cloud in Spitfire X4254 to ascertain his position and crashed into high ground.”

[Ken MacLean]

Henk,

AC2 R.I.R. Aird DOAS, Times 14 Oct. 41.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks friends. Suppose AIR was DOAS even where the initials are incorrect (but where incorrect, death registration office or CWGC ?).
Regards,
Henk.

[dennis_burke]

I could not find any Aird on the death registers that woudl fit the bill and I would think the printing in the Fligth archives from the RAF Casualty Communiques to be in error at the time in 1941. I would assume in this case the CWGC is correct.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Dennis for clarification.

Henk.

[wwrsimon]

Hello

I have the solution to the elusive AC2 Ian R. MacK. AIRD - 1342505.

The Aberdeen Weekly Journal of September 18th 1941 reported the following:

Last Tribute to Ross Airman
The funeral took place to Fodderty Churchyard, Strathpeffer, on Wednesday of Aircraftman R. Ian Aird (20), youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Aird, View Cottage, Achterneed.
He died as the result of a bullet wound in the lung received when a rifle was being cleaned by another airman, who was unaware that it was loaded, was accidentally discharged.
His mother set out on the 400 mile journey to the hospital, but Ian died before she had completed the journey.
At the funeral the coffin was covered with the Union Jack and the large company included an escort from the R.A.F.

So, where did he die? The only possible Aird I could find on FreeBMD was Robert Aird, aged 20, registered East Elloe, Lincs. Scotland's People has a Robert I. R. Aird, born 1920, registered Petty (Inverness) so that would seem to be him.

Regards

Simon