Rear gunner from Sunderland was killed as his plane was heading home from an air raid

A rear gunner from Sunderland died along with all of the fellow members of his crew when their plane was shot down.

Alfred Peter Mair was only 26 years old when he was one of 6 people in a Wellington bomber which had been on observation duties during a 1942 air raid.

The plane was on its way home from the raid on Essen and Alfred’s grave is in the cemetery at Vriezenveen in the Netherlands.

His story has been shared by Sunderland historian Keith Gregson who is paying tribute to the many Sunderland heroes who fought in World War II.

Keith has extensively researched the sacrifice which was made by members of the Ashbrooke Sports Club in the two world wars. Alfred’s story is the latest to get his attention.

He said: “He had his birth registered in Sunderland during the first quarter of 1916 and died in action in March 1942. According to his obituary he was ‘known as a rugby player’ and turned out on the wing for the club in the late 1930s.

“His father was an accountant based in Frederick Street and at the time of his death, the family was living in the Cloisters, Ashbrooke. His mother was a member of the Colling family. He was educated at Oundle School between 1930 and 1933 before becoming an accountant like his father.

“Before the war he held a commission in the territorial 7th DLI and was in the Royal Artillery before being attached to the Royal Air Force on account of the number of losses in the ‘battle for the skies’.

“He was classed as a captain air gunner and acted as a rear gunner on bombers. He was on board a Wellington bomber as an observer in March 1942 when the plane was brought down over the Netherlands by a German night fighter.

“The plane was on its way home from a raid on Essen. All six on board were killed. His grave is in the cemetery at Vriezenveen in the Netherlands.”

Alfred Peter Mair’s story is the latest to be profiled by Keith in the run-up to Remembrance Day.

Others have included;

Joseph Robert Kayll whose Forces achievements were nothing short of remarkable.

He was in command of a squadron during the Battle of Britain and credited with over a dozen enemy aircraft shot down.

Harold Ashton Milburn who had not even reached his 20th birthday when he killed in 1942.

He was part of the famous 249 squadron which was defending Malta from the Luftwaffe.

And Captain John Browning Deas who was only 25 years old when he was killed in action in May 1940.

Capt Browning had been a member of the East Yorkshire Regiment for 3 years and was a company commander when tragedy struck.