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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H H Adair

 

Hubert Hastings Adair was born on b. 17th August 1917 to Robert Adair (1858-1925) and Elizabeth McBride (1887-1972) in Castleblaney, County Monaghan, Irish Republic.

Michael Adair's first wife had died and he subsequently married his niece.

HH Adair was educated at Carrickaslane School locally but after his father's death the family moved to Norwich in 1939 and he went to the City school there. He joined the RAF as an Airman u/t Pilot in January 1936.

Posted to 88 Squadron, he flew Fairey Battles with them in France. Answering the call for volunteers for Fighter Command, he joined 151 Squadron at Digby on 4th September 1940, moving to Tangmere on the 21st.

 

 

After being involved in a night landing accident at Tangmere on 5th November Adair was in action the following afternoon and did not return from combat over the Southampton area. He was posted as 'Missing' and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (panel 11 below).

 

 

Recent research indicates that the Hurricane, V7602, which crashed and burned out at Pigeon House Farm, Widley, Hampshire was Adair's. When it was excavated on 6th October 1979 (the crash site being marked, below), partial remains of the pilot were found and later sent to Porchester Crematorium for cremation and scattering in the garden. This aircraft was almost certainly shot down by Major Helmut Wick of JG2.

 

 

 

All photographs courtesy of Dean Sumner


Battle of Britain Monument