New museum exhibit shines spotlight on HMS Owl WWII ‘tragedy’ 80 years on
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“Shocking” accounts of the recently uncovered tragedy are at the heart of a new exhibit held at Tain & District Museum, which shines a spotlight on the former Royal Navy airbase, HMS Owl, at Fearn.
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Although the base never came under attack during World War II, it was used from December 1943 until July 1945 as a base for training by several RAF squadrons learning to fly Barracuda bombers.
As well as showcasing some items from the former airbase, the new collection features a short account of the life of airman Douglas Smith who died tragically, just one week before his wedding, whilst serving at HMS Owl.
The account is detailed in a diary donated to the museum by his nephew Rob Dalziel.
Mr Smith’s last entry on Monday, June 5, 1944, read: “Still, the weather was punk but I went off to do a weather test and managed to get in one pukka attack and one low visibility job.
“Thereafter we did more low-vis attacks. I was up twice and was glad when my last trip was cancelled.
“Three times out in that weather above that seething sea and in that dense cloud was just about three times too many.
On Wednesday, June 7, during another training flight and while performing a torpedo attack on HMS Velux 10 miles off Tarbat Ness, Lieutenant Smith’s Barracuda collided with another plane, resulting in the loss of both young crews.
Information later disclosed confirmed that both had crashed at sea. Lt Smith and his crew were declared missing and presumed killed.
Mr Smith was one of 56 airmen who died after flying out of the base. A total of 22 aircraft were also lost.
Jason Ubych, curator of Tain & District Museum, said: “We were shocked to discover that, although the airbase was never attacked during World War II, almost 50 airmen lost their lives flying out of the base.
“It was Rob (Dalziel) who informed us of the tragic loss of lives, and planes, at the base. A total of 56 lives and 22 planes were lost.
“These planes were not shot down, they were just practicing dropping torpedoes on boats in the firth and unfortunately met their demise.”
Also included in the exhibit is a Wren officer’s uniform (as worn by members of the British Women's Royal Naval Service), which belonged to Mrs Barbara Scott — a former leading Wren Talbot at the RNA station at Fearn.
The uniform forms part of a fuller display designed to provide a resume of life as a Wren at Fearn.
Information on museum opening times can be found at tainmuseum.org.uk.
