Major John Stormonth-Darling D.F.C.

Major John Sayer Stormonth-Darling, D.F.C. 79th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery attached to 655 AOP Squadron Royal Air Force. He died in Italy , aged 30, on 1st August, 1945 and is buried in Udine War Cemetery, Italy. He was awarded a posthumous DFC on 20th September 1945 in recognition of his gallant and distinguished services in Italy. 655 Squadron Royal Air Force was one of a number of squadrons which were Air Observation Post units working closely with Army units in artillery spotting and liaison hence the award of a Distinguished Flying Cross to a major in the Royal Artillery. The aircraft used by this squadron in 1945 was the Auster Mk V. He was the son of Robert and Beryl Madeline Stormonth-Darling of Kelso, Roxburghshire and his Headstone is inscribed ” I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance of You “.