The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J N Glendinning

John Nixon Glendinning was born at Benfieldside, County Durham on 7th July 1912. He joined the RAFVR on 25th January 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He married Dorothy Walton in July 1937 in Auckland, Durham.

Glendinning obtained his 'A' license on 18th March 1938.

During this time he was employed as Assistant Manager at Marks & Spencer, Billingham, Durham.

He was called up on 1st September 1939 and sent to 5 FTS Sealand on 7th October for assessment of his flying capabilities.

On 17th December Glendinning went to 9 B&GS as a staff pilot.

He went to 7 OTU Hawarden on 3rd September 1940 and after converting to Spitfires joined 54 Squadron at Catterick on 16th September 1940.

He went to 74 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 21st October. He destroyed two Ju87s and damaged a Me109 on 14th November, destroyed a Me109 on the 15th, another on 2nd December and another on 1st March 1941.

Whilst patrolling Dungeness on 12th March 1941, Glendinning was shot down and killed by Major Molders of JG51. His Spitfire, P7506, crashed at Ivychurch, Kent.

Glendinning was 28. He was cremated at West Road Crematorium, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Above images courtesy of Dimitrios Crocodilos.

He is also commemorated on the lych gate at St. Stephens Church, Low Willington, Durham.