Sgt. Peter William Lindsay Strachan
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 77 Squadron
(d.27th February 1942)
In September 1938 Peter Strachan joined the RAF to train as an air observer. He did not succeed at this nor as a wireless operator, but stayed in the RAF as an electrician. From July to August 1942 he trained as an air gunner and was posted to 77 Squadron at Leeming on 8th October 1941. He was married on 22nd December 1941.
He flew on only two operations as a Rear Gunner on a Whitley the first to attack Mannheim on 11th February 1942 and the second on 27th February 1942.
On 27th February 1942, 33 aircraft of mixed types were tasked to find and bomb the Cruiser Scharnhorst which was believed to be at Wilhelmhaven. The operation was a failure due to cloud over the target sight.
Three aircraft were lost, all from 77 Squadron. It is known that two were shot by night fighters. Peter's took off and was never heard of again. The crew were presumed dead six months later. Their names are inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial.
