80th anniversary of the Catalina crash on Vatersay

Motion Text

That this House notes the 80th anniversary of the crash of the the Catalina aircraft on 12 May 1944; further notes that the aircraft was on a training exercise from Oban to Barra Head but sadly crashed near Heiseaval Beag on the Island of Vatersay; marks the anniversary of the deaths of Flight Sergeant David Clyne, Sergeant Fred Basset and rigger Sergeant Patrick Hines; remembers the bravery of the six other surviving crew members who had suffered the loss of their colleagues as well as remembering their families; also notes the sacrifice and courage of the Catalina crews who hunted U-boats to save the lives of merchant seamen bringing food to nations which were rationing supplies; and recognises that, prior to joining the military, Flight Sergeant David Clyne had a successful football career by playing for Queens Park FC and was twice capped for Scotland at amateur level.