The Airmen's Stories - P/O J McGibbon

James McGibbon, of Shandon, Dunbartonshire, was born on 14th February 1915, the son of James McGibbon CMG and Anne McGibbon.

He graduated from Glasgow University.

McGibbon joined the RAFVR about March 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his elementary training at 5 EFTS Meir and went on to 3 FTS South Cerney for No. 35 Course, which ran from 26th May 1940.

He was commissioned and arrived at 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 31st August 1940.

After converting to Hurricanes McGibbon joined 615 Squadron at Prestwick on 23rd September.

During a practice dogfight on the 29th, McGibbon was killed when he dived into the ground near Ayr racecourse from 7000 feet in Hurricane V7312. The cause remains unknown though he may have blacked out in a high-g manoeuvre.

McGibbon was 25 and is buried in Faslane Cemetery, Rhu, Dunbartonshire.