Dunse History Society Forum

We recently (or Ronald recently) received correspondence from an organisation in Holland (via Roy Oliver in Station Avenue) regarding an incident which occurred on the evening of 25th June 1942. On that date, a Vickers Armstrong Wellington aircraft from No 10 Operational Training Unit at RAF Harwell in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) was lost on operations over the German town of Bremen. During the mission, the aircraft was intercepted by a Luftwaffe night fighter and crashed into the Waddensea, near Harligen in Holland. All six crew members were killed including Observer, Sgt John McKelvie Dunn Oliver (Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, RAFVR), from Duns. Another, Sgt David Thompson Stanners (RAFVR) (Wireless operator/Gunner), was from Galashiels. Whilst carrying out research on this accident, I was directed to the following link by Graeme Rendall from Air NORTH at Newcastle;

http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/raf1942/leather.html

There is some interesting (and poignant) reading in this instance. Sgt Oliver is buried at Harlingen General Cemetery in Holland. Whilst five bodies were recovered, the sixth member of the crew, Sgt Gordon Lake (Rear Gunner), has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymeade Memorial.

Sgt Oliver's name also appears on the War Memorial in the Public Park here in Duns.

I know there are members of our Society who have extensive knowledge of the Oliver family, who lived in Currie Street (the house presently owned/occupied by Ian and Fiona Aitchison). Can anybody contribute to this thread, specifically adding details of Sgt Oliver's family. For instance, where are his parents buried? He also had a brother, known locally as 'Polly' Oliver. Where did he move to? Are family members still contactable?

Ronald. You might care to post the correspondents letter as a reply? I have encouraged him to participate here but to date, have not received any e-mail by return.

Ronald Richardson.

On Saturday past, I took the opportunity to examine the War Memorial in the Public Park to look for Sgt Oliver's name. It appears on th tablet which faces Station Road, directly as one walks forward to the Memorial. His name is the one on the bottom left. However, I was dismayed to discover that many of the names (including Sgt Oliver's) on the Memorial are currently undiscernable. Over the years, lettering has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent. To date, it would appear that nobody has taken responsibility for its renewal. I feel that this attitude much change. Accordingly I have taken the matter up with Cllr Frances Renton and members of Duns RBL. Frances has assured me that she will investigate the possibility of lettering being renewed and I was assured that the subject would be brought up at a RBL Committee Meeting on Monday evening (10th May 2010). I will also raise this matter at the next meeting of Duns Community Council.

Ronald Richardson.

Positive news is that this matter was raised at the latest meeting of the management committee of Duns RBL. Apparently Scottish Borders Council attend to such problems and they have been written to by the RBL. I will also follow the matter up with Cllr Renton.

Ronald Richardson.