William Arthur Fergie

Sergeant [Pilot]

Conflict:

WW2

Additional Information:

Son of William and Ruby Matilda Fergie, of Papanui, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand; husband of F. C. Fergie, of Peterborough, Northamptonshire.

References:

CWGC

NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

Thursday 13 Aug 1942
Delivery of equipment from RAF Habbaniya (Iraq) to Teheran (Iran).

162 Squadron, RAF, detachment at Habbaniya

A twin-engine Bisley, serial number BA317, took off at 0515 to deliver spares for Prime Minister Churchill’s Liberator, which had been delayed in Tehran with engine trouble. BA317 became airborne about a third of the way along the runway, but it gradually swung away to starboard and struck the top of a bund (embankment) which had been marked with three Glim lights in the darkness. The bund was about 100 yards to the starboard of the runway and 400 yards beyond the end of the runway. As a result of the collision, BA317 caught fire and was destroyed. All five occupants were killed instantly and are buried at Habbaniya. (For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn)

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Add a Story or Photo

Casualty

Service Number:

41891

Name:

William Arthur Fergie

Rank:

Sergeant

Additional Rank:

Pilot

Date of Birth:

Not known

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Unit:

Royal New Zealand Air Force, 162 (RAF) Squadron

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Not known

Date of Death:

13 August 1942

Day of Death:

Thursday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

Royal New Zealand Air Force

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Habbaniya War Cemetery

Cemetery Reference:

2. E. 3.

Cemetery Location:

Iraq