As the dedication service of the memorial to Sgt Pilot John Keatinge
Haire in Arreton on 12th 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.
