SCONE AERODROME, JULY 2022

We were delighted when James Fenwick's son Michael agreed to visit Perth Aerodrome and share a few memories of his father. Here's what he told us:

"I’m Michael Fenwick and my father lived quite close to the aerodrome here when he was called up to join the Royal Air Force. He was with Bomber Command with Number 40 Squadron based in Huntingdonshire and unfortunately he lost his life on 14th January 1942 on a raid on Hamburg in a Wellington Bomber, which failed to return, as a lot of them did - a huge amount actually.

The Wellington was superseded by the Lancaster which was a more up to date aircraft and much more reliable. The Wellington had two engines and if one of them failed the chances are the ‘plane would come down and in fact we believe that’s what happened.

I was born in Perth and attended Perth Academy but my father went to Glasgow where his father had opened a couple of shops. I’m delighted to be part of the Academy’s remembrance project and it’s a great pleasure to be back here at Scone Aerodrome and see the aircraft."

Aircraft Type: Wellington; Serial No: X9742; Radio call sign: BL - ; 40 Squadron RAF.

Summary:

Wellington X9742 of 40 Sqn RAF took off from Alconbury, Huntingdon, UK, at 1645 hours on 14 January 1942 for bombing operations against Hamburg, Germany. It was last heard from at 1853 hours, when it sent an SOS reporting engine failure and position 53°12'N 03°02'E, calculated as over the North Sea.

Searches failed to locate the aircraft or crew. Crew: RAAF 402849, Pilot Officer Broad, Captain (Pilot); RAF Sgt J. R. Fenwick; RAF Sgt C. D. Russell; RAF Sgt J. Priestley; RAF Sgt P. J. Timmons; RAF Sgt T. H. Thomas

Perthshire Advertiser, 21st January 1942

“PERTH AIRMAN MISSING"

“Sgt.-Pilot James Roy Fenwick (31), R.A.F., husband of Mrs Fenwick, 44 Verena Terrace, Perth, has been reported missing from an operational flight over enemy territory."

Stirling Observer 25 August 1942

“PRESUMED KILLED"

“Mrs Fenwick, 10 Barnton Street, Stirling, has been officially informed that her husband, Sergeant-Pilot James Roy Fenwick, R.A.F., reported missing in January, following operations over enemy territory is now presumed killed. Sgt.-Pilot Fenwick, who was thirty-one years of age and a native of Perth, volunteered for the R.A.F. a year ago, and was due to be commissioned. He had made several successful flights over enemy territory."

"Before joining the R.A.F., he carried on business as a confectioner in Maxwell Place, Stirling, and was previously in business in Falkirk, where he was a well-known member of the Falkirk Ice Rink. A keen tennis player, he was a member of Ochilview Lawn Tennis Club. He also took a live interest in Stirling Amateur Dramatic Club, where his wife acted in many of the plays presented by the members."

"Mrs Fenwick is carrying on the business in Maxwell Place.”

Perthshire Advertiser 29th August 1942

“WAR CASUALTIES“

"SGT. PILOT PRESUMED KILLED" 

“Mrs Fenwick, 10 Barnton Street, Stirling, who formerly resided at 44 Verena Terrace, Perth, has been notified that her husband, Sgt. Pilot James Roy Fenwick (31), R.A.F., is presumed killed. He was reported missing in January following operations over enemy territory."

“The official intimation that he was missing was received on the day he was due home on leave. He was expecting to be commissioned within a few days."

“Son of Mr. J. R. Fenwick, former well-known Perth business man, and Mrs Fenwick - his parents’ home is Sunnybrae Cottage, near Scone - Sgt. Pilot Fenwick volunteered for the R.A.F. in November 1940, prior to which he was in business as tobacconist and confectioner in Stirling and Falkirk, where his shops are now being managed by his wife."

“He was a familiar figure in Perth sports circles, having played for Perthshire Rugby Club. He was also a member of Kinnoull Tennis Club.”