I have just introduced myself to the forum, and this is my first request, so please forgive me if it is in the wrong place. I am accompanying a group of pupils from Perth Academy on a school trip to France, and we will be visiting Terlincthun British Cemetery, near Boulogne, which is where Sergeant Findlay is buried, along with three other former pupils of the school. We have photos of the other three FP's, to attach to their poppy crosses, but I have been unable to find a photo of Sergeant Findlay. I have attached a draft biography page, which contains the information I have found so far. Does anyone have access to a photo, or can someone advise me of any websites, or RAF groups, where I might find one? Many thanks, Dave
Welcome to the forum! I think this is going to be a tricky one - but best of luck with your hunt. I haven't managed to find a photograph of Sergeant Findlay but I have found a photo of P/O Ian Percival Hinton who was flying the aircraft! See this French website - les soldats anglais à Epernay en 1939-1940 Looks like M Poyet photographed a lot of British servicemen and women. It's possible that included Sergeant Findlay. My French is atrocious but if your's is better it might be an idea to contact the person who runs this website to see if they have a photo of Sergeant Findlay. M Poyet seems to have kept records of the pictures he took. I think this page may contain the details of how to contact this person - index Hope this helps! Cheers Ian
Hi Ian, Thanks very much for your help. I don't speak very good French either, but I know a lady who does! I will pass the link to the French teacher who is leading the trip to France, and see if she can make any sense of it. Cheers, Dave
Just noticed this re spelling of surname: Duncan Cameron Findley in the UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947 Name: Duncan Cameron Findley Age: 25 Birth Date: abt 1915 Death Date: 26 Mar 1940 Cemetery: Terlincthun British Cemetery Wimille Burial Country: France Father: William Nevay Porter Findley Mother: Annie Cameron Findley Regimental Number: 565318 Region or Memorial: France I keep trying to upload a copy of a part page from the original (file size 68Kb) but it fails everytime - except now) TD
Thanks for that TD. Never thought of a different spelling. It is Findlay on the school memorial, and in the PA, the local paper. I am going up to Perth next week, will check the newspaper index for Findley as well as Findlay. Many thanks, Dave
Dave, the spelling is Findlay against his birth entry in Perth 1914. His service return is also on Scotlandspeople website, but no Will for him. Are you heading to the Bell library? I think they now hold a school photograph collection if I'm not mistaken. Could be another avenue to explore while you are there in Perth.
From the GRO Register: War Deaths (RAF – All Ranks) 1939 – 1948 Name – Findlay, Duncan C Rank - Sgt Number - 565318 Unit - 103 Sqn Year – 1940 Vol – 5 Page – 200 You have probably already found them, but if not, the following may be of interest: This link that would connect him to Perth: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic2888.html Also a 103 Sqn website: http://www.northlincsweb.net/103Sqn/html/103_sqn_1937_to_1940.html
Aberdeen Press and Journal 29/3/1940, page 4. "The first Perth casualty of the war with fatal consequences was reported last night, when the parents of Sergeant-Ob Duncan Findlay, RAF residing 14 Grey Street, Perth, received official intimation of the death of their son on active service" (can't see a photo in any of the online papers)
Thank you to amberdog45 and Tony56. I can only see that he would be in the Aberdeen paper if his family originated in the North East. Yes, I will be going to the AK Bell Library next week, so will check for school magazines etc. as well as newspapers, thanks for the tip. There was also an old annual publication called the Perthshire Constitutional, but I don't know if it was still around by WW2. Could try contacting the library in Aberdeen as well. Cheers, Dave
Papers all over the country reported on casualties not necessarily from that region. If he was Perth born I would have thought he would be listed in the Dundee Courier. Some papers can be accessed via your library. But censorship etc kicked in and your lucky to find a name in the paper (and paper became scarce too). Another tip is to look at the In Memorial columns and check if the family inserted remembrances on their loved ones anniversaries. Some did regularly. Facebook was another great tool in my own research. A Blairgowrie page really helped me out on info I needed on a great uncle. He was Black Watch 1920s and in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. People checking with senior local relatives turned up some gems on Facebook for me.
amberdog45, Thanks for the advice. I have never used Facebook, but I will give it a try. I'm sure one of my kids will be able to show me what to do! Dave
