MACKAY, Stuart Walter
| Service Number: | 414809 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 November 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 77 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, May 1923 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Norman Park Public School, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation: | Apprentice Compositor |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Germany, 17 June 1944 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 9 Nov 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 414809, No. 3 Initial Training School Sandgate | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 1944: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 414809, No. 77 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Stuart Walter McKay (1925-1944)
Stuart Mackay was born in May 1923 the son of Ronald and Jean Mackay of Norman Park, Brisbane. Worked as an apprentice compositor for Biggs & Company, Printers when he enlisted on 9 November
After flying training at 5EFTS, Narromine, Stuart embarked at Melbourne for Canada on 7 September 1942 arriving there a month later. He was appointed Pilot Officer Ten months intensive training followed before he left Canada for the United Kingdom arriving there 1 September 1943, going firstly to Station Skaebrae and Air Sea Rescue Flight before joining 77 Squadron. Stuart was appointed Pilot Officer 25 June 1943 and Flying Officer 25 December
Stuart embarked at Melbourne on 24 August 1942 headed for Canada and the Empire Training Scheme arriving there 2 October. Twelve months training followed before he left Canada 26 August 1943 arriving in England 1 September going firstly to Station Skaebrae and Air Sea Rescue Flight before joining 77 Squadron.
He had served with the RCAF from September 1942 to August 1943 and the August 43 to June 44.
Stuart had only been with 77 Squadron at Full Sutton for a short time before he was reported missing. Halifax NA545 took off from Full Sutton at 2315 hours on the night of 16/17 June 1944 detailed to bomb Sterkrade, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take off and it failed to return to base. NA545 was one of seven aircraft from the Squadron that failed to return from the mission. CREW: Pilot Officer H W Bird - Pilot Sergeant R A Castle-Hall - Flight Engineer Sergeant A B Freemantle - Navigator Flying Officer S W Mackay - Air Bomber Flight Sergeant R J Warren - Wireless Air Gunner Flight Sergeant F A Meeghan - Mid Upper Gunner Sergeant J A Lauder - Rear Gunner It was later established that the aircraft crashed in the sea off the coast of Holland, and all the crew were killed. Pilot Officer Bird and Sergeant Castle-Hall are buried in the Terschelling General Cemetery. Sergeant Freemantle is buried in the Sage War Cemetery, Oldenburg, Niedersachsen, Germany. Flight Sergeant Warren is buried in the Texel Cemetery Noord-Holland. Sergeant Lauder is buried in the Vlieland General Cemetery, Friesland. Flying Officer Mackay and Flt Sergeant Meeghan were lost at sea and have no known graves.
Stuart MacKay is remembered with honour at the Australian War Memorial and the Memorial to the Missing, Runnymede, Surrey. UK. In August 1945 after returning to Australia, Flying Officer C.B. Quartermain, who knew Stuart in Canada and Great Britain, sought out his mother so that he could return Stuart's watch to her.
Source: : https://docplayer.net/57197404-77-squadron-raf-raaf-airmen-killed-whilst-on-active-service-with-77-squadron-raf-world-war-ii.html
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