The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J S Hamilton

James Sutherland Hamilton was born on 23rd April 1919 in Carlisle, the son of James and Dorothy Georgina Hamilton.

He joined the RAFVR about June 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and joined 248 Squadron on 25th September 1940.

On 13th December 1940 Hamilton was captain of Blenheim R3625, detailed to fly from Sumburgh to Wick for operations . He collided with another Blenheim, L9455 captained by P/O JD Dodd, whilst formating and they both crashed into the sea and sank.

Both aircraft were also carrying groundcrew and ten men were lost.

Those lost were:

L9455

P/O JD Dodd

P/O AH Pettet
Sgt. A Hook
LAC LSJ Bright
AC1 AEH Moore

R3625

Sgt. JS Hamilton
Sgt. JH May

Sgt. HW Walmsley
AC1 S Julian
AC1 GW Monks

Hamilton was 22. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 15.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.