Jaye, Alan Gordon

Sergeant

No. 1043669, 83 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Killed in action on Wednesday 25 March 1942 (aged 19)

Buried:

Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium (Collective Grave 4.B.7-13)

Commemorated:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Memorial Plaque

Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, Co. Down

Lissara Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour

Crossgar War Memorial Hall

BIOGRAPHY

Alan Gordon Jaye was born on 20 July 1922 at 24 Trevor Street, Holywood, and he was a son of John Alan Jaye, a clerk, and Evelyn Lancaster Campbell Jaye (nee Bonfield) who were married on 28 September 1921 in Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church.  When he got married, John Alan Jaye was a Private in the Somerset Light Infantry stationed at Victoria Barracks in Belfast.

John Alan Jaye was the Adjutant for the Ulster Special Constabulary at Downpatrick and was living at Woodside in Crossgar when his son died. Alan Gordon Jaye played for Crossgar Hockey Club which had to close during the Second World War because half the playing members were on active service.

Alan Gordon Jaye was a full-time member of the Ulster Special Constabulary (B-Specials) when he enlisted with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve between September 1939 and February 1940.

Sergeant Alan Gordon Jaye (No. 1043669) was serving with 83 Squadron when he lost his life on 25 March 1942 (aged 19).  He was the Air Gunner on an Avro 679 Manchester aircraft (L7465) flying out of RAF Scampton on a bombing operation to Essen when his plane was shot down by German flak and crashed near Lichtaart, Antwerp with the loss of its seven-man crew.  The fatalities were all buried in a collective grave in Heverlee War Cemetery in Belgium, each man with his own headstone.

Pilot Officer Christopher Hugh Danielson (No. 62702) from Edgbaston (aged 20)

Sergeant Paul Markides (No. 778497) from Bulayo, Southern Rhodesia (aged 21)

BOUND WITH FRIENDSHIP’S LINK IN LIFE THEY FLEW TOGETHER IN THAT STRIFE

Flight Sergeant Albert Woodcock (No. 654156) from Accrington (aged 21)

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE KNOW THE PAIN OF PARTING WITHOUT FAREWELL

Flying Officer Donald McConachie (No. 404109) from Queensland, Australia (aged 29)

SOME CORNER OF A FOREIGN FIELD THAT IS FOR EVER AUSTRALIA

Sergeant Thomas Henry Miller (No. 514426) Wireless Operator and Air Gunner

Sergeant Colin Clement Smith (No. 1181165) from Maidstone (aged 21), Wireless Operator and Air Gunner

PROUD MEMORIES OF OUR BELOVED COLIN. WE WILL MEET AGAIN

Sergeant Alan Gordon Jaye (No. 1043669) from Downpatrick (aged 19), Air Gunner

ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY MUM, DAD, “THE WEE BUFFER”, GLORIA AND BROTHERS

Sergeant Alan Gordon Jaye is commemorated in Crossgar War Memorial Hall, and on the Lissara Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.