In Memory Of

HAVILAND, RICHARD HAVILAND

Service Details
Age:
 27
Date of Birth:
 1913-01-18
Service No:
 76571
Rank:
 Pilot Officer
Unit:
 248 Sqdn.
Regiment:
 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death:
 1940-08-28
Cause of Death:
 Died in Aircraft Accident, Magister I R1832, along with AC2 R Moon whom he was taking on an air experience flight in the squadron. During low aerobatics to the north of the airfield the aircraft struck the ground in a low shallow dive, cause unknown, though it may have been caught in a downdraught which are a feature of the area
Commemoration
Cemetery:
 ABERDEEN CREMATORIUM
Localitly:
 Aberdeenshire
Country:
 United Kingdom
Additional Information
Son of Philip Charles and Effide Haviland; husband of Anne Margaret Haviland, of Crowborough, Sussex. B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E. "One of the few" Battle of Britain pilot. Native of South Africa. Born in 1913 in South Africa and attended Witwatersrand University, studying civil engineering. He obtained his private pilots licence while a student. He came to England in 1937 to work for the construction company Mowlem and was involved in building one of the reservoirs at Staines. He joined the RAFVR and did further training with them from Fairoaks. Called up on 1st September 1939 he converted to twin-engined aircraft and was posted to 248 Squadron, operating Blenheims from Lee-on-Solent. He was with the squadron when it moved to Dyce and then Sumburgh, where its role was to carry out reconnaisance sorties over Norway.