Moray marks Spitfire loss
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A FIGHTER plane bought by the people of Moray during World War II was lost in battle 70 years ago this week.
To mark the 70th anniversary of The Moray Spitfire, which falls tomorrow (Saturday), a booklet about the plane, its crew, and the people of Moray who raised the £5,000 required for its purchase is being compiled.
Local aircraft enthusiast John Farquhar is asking for anyone who can remember the fund-raising drive – spearheaded by ‘The Northern Scot’ – to share their memories.
‘Give your pounds! Give your shillings!! Give your pence!!!’ urged the August 24, 1940 edition of newspaper, in answer to the national ‘Buy A Spitfire’ campaign.
Residents, both at home and abroad, answered the call, and the following spring £5,018 was presented to the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
Youngsters gave up their pocket money or ran stalls, shops held collections, and families presented savings towards the local fund.
All were listed in the ‘Scot’, including ‘A native of Urquhart in New York’, who gave £2, and £1 raised from an Elgin collection box.
Spitfire W3772, named Moray, was rolled out of a factory at Castle Bromwich on August 22, 1941, and was flown to Hornchurch the following month to join 54 Squadron.
On September 17, 1941, after just nine hours flying, The Moray Spitfire failed to return from operations.
Neither the plane, nor the bodies of its crew – including renowned fighter pilot Squadron Leader Newell “Fanny” Orton – have ever been found.
Mr Orton was credited with 17 enemy aircraft destroyed, eight “probables” and four damaged during his career. He was awarded both the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar.
Despite the plane’s short existence, it was able to strike a blow – taking down at least one Luftwaffe craft before meeting its own demise.
A letter written in April, 1941 by Lord Beaverbrook to Mr Stephen Young, the then editor of ‘The Northern Scot’, still hangs in the newspaper’s Elgin office. It states: “It was with very great pleasure that I received a donation from the readers of ‘The Northern Scot’. In organising your fund you have enabled them to pay for a splendid tribute to the men of the Royal Air Force, to whom we all owe so much.
“They have also been able to express their desire to have a share in the destruction of the enemy. For their Spitfire will shortly join the squadrons and in its successes against the Luftwaffe they will have their share. To ‘The Northern Scot’ and all who contributed to its fund I send my warmest thanks.”
A plaque issued by the Ministry of Aircraft Production to mark the contribution was also received.
It reads: “In the hour of peril, Moray Spitfire Fund (through ‘The Northern Scot’) earned the gratitude of the British nations sustaining the valour of The Royal Air Force and fortifying the cause of freedom by the gift of Spitfire aircraft. They shall mount up with wings as eagles.”
