John (“Jack”) De Little

I have revisited a the paper work my mother acquired relating to the death of (Uncle) Jack De Little and there is just nothing that emerges from this. I have rather negative responses from Parliamentary Under Secretary for Defence, (1999) Peter Kilfoyle, and from Dr lewis Moonie, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the MOD, also 1999. There was no Board of Inquiry on record, and RN Lossiemouth have a one line day book entry. The National Archives of Scotland have no records. My mother also contacted Grampian Police for info on Elgin Procurator Fiscal’s records, (nothing) and also the CEO at the local newspaper “Northern Scott” in Elgin. Even his death certificate shows no cause of death, “signed ” by P F Atkinson, RN, Executive Commander at Lossiemouth feb 1951. Looks like one big cover up to me, or played down almost to a point of illegality!!! John

John (“Jack”) De Little

thanks Kev…. I think he was a civilian, when he died, but within the auspices of the RAF… here as a mere numpty civilian 60 years later I can’t comment with much confidence. Will check with my Mum. Already your info is much appreciated. He had divorced by this time, and indeed his parents, my Grandparents had such a low opinion of his ex wife that it was some time before they told her. My mother was incensed by this. His parents were so Victorian they packed him off to London to join the air ministry but never really understood what drive him I think. Not sure if he was a hero to them or a disappointment. My father stayed in the civil service after the war to appease them…. and died of boredom, almost literally! Keep the info coming!! John

John (“Jack”) De Little

I spotted this thread whilst idly googling my own name. Not a coincidence since I am named after the subject of this thread, John De little.
John ( know as Jack, so i will call him that) was my father’s brother and both were born in Gosforth, Newcastle, though the family came from York ( his parents,next to whom he is buried, were Roland and Edith). He joined the air ministry a little before the war and volunteered for the RAF just as soon as he could. ( I have his flying helmet still with “my ” name in it”) He flew in the Battle of Britain, which self evidently he survived, flew after the war in the Berlin airlift and then flew ( I guess) for the RAF, not sure, as a test pilot. All we know is that he was required to observe, I think, a new plane taking off. The plane slewed across the runway and, I guess, ran him over somehow. The mystery, which clearly has exercised the minds of several in this thread, was the dismal lack of enquiry, record keeping etc. There was an entry in the day book at Lossiemouth where he was killed but no more. In recent years, my mother Joan De Little, spent considerable energy writing to officials, MPs etc trying to find out more, but she found nothing of any substance. He was a great man, a boy’s hero, and I always regret never knowing him. He had one son, Rodney John, who lives in Bolney in Sussex. If I can tell you any more I will, but not sure there is much to tell. If you find out any more through connections then of course do let me know. ( [email]johndelittle789@btinternet.com[/email])
ps just to add to the story, the day he was killed was the very day my sister was born, 15/2/51…. a weird day for my father!