Sergeant James Beattie

Sergeant James Elliot Beattie, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was an Air Gunner and was lost on an Operation to Berlin with 156 Squadron R.A.F. on 30th January 1944, aged 19. He was the son of William and Agnes Beattie of Newcastleton and is buried in Berlin 1939-1945 Cemetery. His aircraft, ( JB302 GT-W ), piloted by W/O P. Batman was shot down by a night-fighter operating in the target area. Three of the seven man crew ,including the pilot, survived to become prisoners of war. The Squadron was a Pathfinder Unit which at that time flew the Avro Lancaster from R.A.F. Warboys. Pathfinders led the raids and dropped target indicators to illuminate the target area for the Main Bomber force following behind. His Headstone is inscribed ” His Sun Went Down While It Was Yet Day. Thy Will Be Done”.