Civilian Frederick Strutt worked as an engineer at Ballyhalbert Airfield, Co. Down during the Second World War. Born in 1911, he was the son of the late Frederick Strutt and Charlotte Strutt of 14 Clonliffe Gardens, Clonliffe Road, Dublin, Ireland. He was the husband of Catherine Strutt of 21 Fleming Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland.
Frederick died on 4th November 1942 aged 31 years old. Along with fellow electrician Gerald Daly, he was working on runway lighting at the airfield at Ballyhalbert, Co. Down when a tragic accident occurred. Daly gave evidence at the inquest that followed. The technicians were working on a junction box when they saw a plane approaching at speed.
Sergeant G.B. Swift (406552), an Australian Pilot serving in R.A.F. 153 Squadron overshot the runway in his Bristol Beaufort. Daly flung himself to the ground, narrowly avoiding the wing of the plane as it passed overhead. Looking around for Strutt, Daly found him in the junction box manhole with the heavy lid on top of him.
Pilot Officer Starr of R.A.F. 153 Squadron stated that Swift’s plane had swerved off the runway and veered starboard over the sunken junction box in the grass. At the inquest, Corporal Riordan stated that the workmen were informed of the potential danger. A week after the incident, Sergeant G.B. Swift and Sergeant D.J. Blanchard who was also on board the Beaufort both transferred to R.A.F. 29 Squadron.
Frederick Strutt’s grave is in Deansgrange Cemetery, Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland.