The article entitled "Strange link between careers" talks about the parallel flying careers of Iain MacLaren and James McCash. A sad postcript to this article is the fact that they both lost their lives within 28 days of each other while serving with the air force in the Second World War. Iain MacLaren died on 23rd May and James McCash died on 18th June.

271 SQUADRON RAF

271 Squadron was reborn at Doncaster on 28th March 1940, the most common task its aircraft undertook was helping to remove squadrons from one base to another.

“On 23rd May 1940, some of the Squadron’s DM.73P’s and civil airlines had landed at Merville, in France, to deliver stores, but while there the airfield was strafed by a formation of Bf-109’s, destroying an Ensign and damaging an SM,73P."

"When the remainder of these aircraft flew back to Britain, they were fired on near Calais and an SM.73P was lost."

"When it became clear that France was going to fall, 271 Squadron helped to evacuate RAF personnel."

Aviva Roll of Honour

“McLaren, Iain R, Head Office, Perth, General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd. Date of death: 23 May 1940, Age 26. Pilot Officer, RAFVR. Member of the Motor Claims Department. Enlisted in 1939 and was attached for a short time to Coastal Command. During operations in Northern France his plane was shot down and he died of wounds at St Pol, Pas-de-Calais.”

Perthshire Advertiser, 15th June 1940

“PERTH AIRMAN MISSING"

“Pilot-Officer Ian Maclaren, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Donald Maclaren, 2 Castle Terrace, Needless Road, Perth, has been reported missing."

“Pilot-Officer Maclaren took his commission in April, exactly three years after beginning training at Perth Aerodrome. Prior to being called up for war service he was on the staff of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd. He is a former Flight Commander of the Perth Squadron, Defence Cadet Corps, having taken an active part in the formation of the Squadron. His father is clubhouse attendant at the North Inch municipal golf course.”

People’s Journal, 22nd June 1940

“CITY AIR OFFICER MISSING"

“Former member of the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve at Perth, Pilot Officer Ian M‘Laren, whose home is at Castle Terrace, Needless Road, is believed to have been forced down over Belgium. His parents have been notified that he has been missing since 26th May."

“Pilot Officer M‘Laren was an employee of the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation in Perth."

"His father, Mr Donald M‘Laren, a former timekeeper in Messrs Pullar’s Works, is now steward at the Corporation golf pavilion on the North Inch.”