Sgt Pilot John Keatinge Haire Arreton's War Story

As the dedication service of the memorial to Sgt Pilot John Keatinge Haire in Arreton on 12^th September 2019 I thought I would post the Arreton part of the brave pilot’s war story, taken from his full war story on the “ THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN LONDON MONUMENT” website.

John Keatinge Haire was a typical 20-year-old Battle of Britain pilot, keen to engage the enemy but young in service and experience, which ultimately led to his untimely death over the Isle of Wight on 6th November 1940. His Hurricane was damaged and burning fiercely from combat with the Luftwaffe when he made an instant decision to stay with his aircraft until the last moment, hoping to miss the small village below. He had been in this same situation over the island only ten days previously and had got away with it, landing safely on the beach. Unfortunately, this time he had miscalculated, and by thinking of others first he was too low when he finally jumped off the wing, his parachute not having time to deploy properly. Sgt. Haire crashed into a ploughed field near Arreton Village, staying alive just long enough for the local vicar, the Reverend Burbidge, who rushed to his aid, to give him a final blessing.

Although the Battle of Britain was now over (according to the Air Ministry definition it ended on 31st October) the situation continued unchanged with Me109's flying high level 'Frei Jagd' (free-roaming fighter ops) over the south-east in company with Messerschmitt 110's.

The morning of the 6th was quiet, and it was not until the early afternoon that an incoming raid was reported heading towards Southampton. Almost immediately, 602 and 145 were scrambled to engage the Me109's, from Major Helmut Wick's JG2 'Richthofen' squadron, that was now between the Isle of Wight and Shoreham, Sussex.

The pilots of 602 succeeded in shooting down four of the Me109's straight away with no losses but 145 were not so fortunate. Sgt. Jack Weber was shot down but landed safely at Duxmore. However Sgt. Haire, who was again acting as a 'weaver', was shot down and killed whilst attempting to bale out too low from his stricken Hurricane V6627.

The ARP Post near Arreton Village reported seeing an aircraft engulfed in flames over Perreton Farm (then part of the Heasley Manor Farm Estate) and informed the Home Guard who rushed to the scene. George Calloway was in the ARP post at the time and witnessed the events which he noted in his day-log, and which he recalled in March 1992 and May 2011 (on a further visit to the crash site when he was aged 92.).

The Hurricane was on fire having been attacked by Messerschmitts, and looked like it was going to crash on the houses of Arreton. Instead of baling out the pilot stayed in the aircraft and steered it away into open fields. Only then did he attempt to bale out, standing on the wing before jumping, however, he had left it too late for his parachute to open fully and he fell to the ground.

I rushed into the field with others including the Rev. Edward Burbidge to try to help the pilot. Sadly he died as the vicar was saying prayers over him. We used the farm gate to carry his body out of the field.

That same night Reverend Burbidge composed a letter to Squadron Leader AH Boyd, the Commanding Officer at Tangmere.

Dear Sir,

I understand that a pilot named Haire who crashed and was killed near here about 3pm today came from your command. I managed to reach the spot just before he died. He had apparently jumped when near the ground as he was lying some distance from his plane. He never regained consciousness but I was able to say a commendatory prayer and give him the Blessing as he died. The men around joined in the Lord's Prayer. We cannot but feel grateful to him for bringing his machine down clear of our village. Perhaps it may be of some comfort to his relatives if you could pass some of this on.

I am writing to express my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. During the time he was in this squadron he proved himself to be a valuable pilot and carried out some exceptionally fine work.

As you know, he was shot down previously but this never altered either his courage or determination, and I feel that I have lost a most useful member of my Squadron. It may be of some consolation to know that he lost his life in a successful attempt to save his machine from crashing on a village and thus saved the lives of others. I enclose a letter from the vicar of this village near where he crashed which shows that his last act was to save the lives of others.

Almost at once, however, flames poured out from the front of the plane and it made a dive to earth, the pilot baling out at once. I dashed in my car to the field, but unfortunately could do nothing.

The plane was blazing and the ammunition going off, while a short distance away lay the pilot. I took his helmet off but could do nothing for him. I was very struck by the peaceful and calm expression on the face of the gallant boy. He was untouched by fire and to my inexperienced eye seemed to be asleep. His parachute was ineffective because he was so low when he baled out. I am a farmer and unused to letter writing but I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the parents of this very gallant gentleman, may God rest his brave soul.

Happily this is not the end - it cannot be; such dauntless courage and bravery could never be finished. His spirit somewhere lives on and will never die.

Five days later Squadron Leader Boyd wrote to Sgt. Haire's parents in Belfast.

Dear Mr Haire,

Another letter was written to Haire's parents on the same day by a local farmer, George Moody, who witnessed the events and had also rushed to the scene –

Several planes were fighting overhead and one came circling down out of a clear blue sky over the farm. Smoke seemed to be coming from one side of the machine and the pilot, after going round twice, turned into the wind as if to land.

Almost at once, however, flames poured out from the front of the plane and it made a dive to earth, the pilot baling out at once. I dashed in my car to the field but unfortunately could do nothing.

The plane was blazing and the ammunition going off, while a short distance away lay the pilot. I took his helmet off but could do nothing for him. I was very struck by the peaceful and calm expression on the face of the gallant boy. He was untouched by fire and to my inexperienced eye seemed to be asleep. His parachute was ineffective because he was so low when he baled out. I am a farmer and unused to letter writing but I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the parents of this very gallant gentleman, may God rest his brave soul.

Happily, this is not the end - it cannot be; such dauntless courage and bravery could never be finished. His spirit somewhere lives on and will never die.