A granite memorial in memory of 20-year-old John Keatinge Haire, who was killed when his Hurricane was shot down over the Isle of Wight in 1940, was unveiled during a special ceremony in Arreton yesterday (Thursday).
A crowd of around 150 people gathered alongside the A9 bridleway for the commemorative event to remember Sergeant Haire, who served for his country in the RAF Volunteer Reserve during World War II. The event was organised by the Battle of Britain Historical Society.
The memorial has been erected where Haire’s plane came down on 6th November 1940. It only came down in the isolated area thanks to the pilot’s efforts of keeping the plane away from the village. If he had bailed out earlier – potentially saving his life – the plane could have killed many more on the ground.
John, nicknamed ‘Bunny’, survived the crash but was left unconscious lying in a ploughed field. He stayed alive long enough for a local vicar to give him final prayers.
A Spitfire carried out a flypast as local dignitaries, servicemen and members of the public watched on.
The memorial was unveiled by Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant Nicholas Oulton DL.
