Flight Sergeant Alexander McLaughlin (422972) served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War Two. At his time of death, he was a wireless operator/air gunner with RAF 214 Squadron.
He was the son of Patrick McLaughlin and Catherine McLaughlin. He was the husband of Phyllis McLaughlin. Although he flew with ANZAC forces, he may have been born in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.
McLaughlin died on 16th November 1944 aged 27 years old. He was a wireless operator/air gunner on board Flying Fortress HB787 BU-J when the Mark III bomber came down. It took off from RAF Oulton, Norfolk and crashed around 0440hrs while attempting to land. The plane burned out in a wheat stubble field belonging to Mr. Seaman of Twyford, Norfolk. The accident occurred approximately 1 mile south-west of RAF Foulsham, Norfolk.
None of the 10 person crew survived. They all have graves throughout the United Kingdom.
Alexander McLaughlin’s grave is in Grave 169 of Mosside Presbyterian Church, Moyle, Co. Antrim.
Remembering the Flying Fortress Crew
| Last Name | First Name | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong | Ernest Robert | Flight Sergeant | Wireless Operator/Air Gunner | RNZAF 427084. Aged 20 years old. |
| Ashworth | Colin James | Flight Sergeant | Pilot | RNZAF 427492. Aged 22 years old. |
| Durman | Peter Edward | Sergeant | Air Bomber | RAFVR 1389300. |
| Hislop | Gilbert Leslie | Sergeant | Flight Engineer | RAFVR 1594952. Aged 32 years old. |
| Leitch | Archibald Havill | Flying Officer | Air Gunner | RCAF J/44328. Aged 21 years old. |
| McCormack | Terence Francis | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | RNZAF 429183. Aged 24 years old. |
| McLaren | William Alistair | Flight Sergeant | Navigator | RAFVR 1672260. Aged 21 years old. |
| McLaughlin | Alexander | Flight Sergeant | Air Gunner | RNZAF 422972. Aged 27 years old. |
| Mooney | Richard Edmond | Sergeant | RCAF R/261225. | |
| Ogilvie | Charles Gordon Mackay | Sergeant | Air Gunner | RAFVR 621667. Aged 28 years old. |