Pilot will be honoured with plaque
DIGGING INTO THE PAST with Dr Murray Cook
Many of you will remember Henri Delbastita whom I’ve written of before.
He was a Belgian pilot who escaped Colditz during World War II and volunteered for the RAF.
Unfortunately while he was being trained as a Spitfire pilot he suffered a fatal crash just to the south of North Third Reservoir on January 29, 1943.
It seems likely that his oxygen supply froze and he lost consciousness.
His body was recovered within days and was buried in Belgium.
The Spitfire, named Gibraltar as it was paid for funds raised by the people of Gibraltar was recovered around 2000 and Henri is commemorated on the Grangemouth Memorial.
But there was nothing to mark where he fell.
The spot is popular with walkers and I’ve camped and swam at North Third, all in ignorance of Henri.
Over 18 months ago I and a few other volunteers including Ian Mcneish, Andy Mackay and others from Erskine, the veterans charity, decided to mark the spot and the 80 th anniversary.
We rebuilt a stone dyke near the spot and have put a plaque in the wall.
On Sunday, January 29 at 11am we will unveil the plaque (designed and built by Andy and his colleague Ian Traynor) and commemorate Henri’s sacrifice with members of his family.
Andy has fashioned a cross from the remains of Gibraltar and we will present this to family.
When there is again war in Europe and Britain is divided on Europe and refugees it is perhaps important to remember the best of us and what we can achieve when we work together.
If you would like to join us please email for directions as parking will be tight at cookm@ stirling.gov.uk