Czech pilots killed above Tain in WWII remembered at poignant service in Easter Ross town

The lives of Czechoslovak pilots killed above Tain during the Second World War were remembered when a delegation from the Czech Republic joined members of the Tain Branch of the Royal British Legion at the town’s cemetery.

The 30-strong delegation included the country’s Minister of Defence, Jana Cernochava, who paid tribute to the 18 members of the 311 Czechoslovak Squadron Coastal Command who lost their lives are buried at the old St Duthus cemetery.

Tain RBL branch member Cllr Alasdair Rhind responded to the Minister’s tribute before a two minute silence was observed and wreaths were laid.

During the service branch members Alasdair, president Ron Ferguson and Billy and Mary Grant, who look after the graves, were presented with medals by the visiting delegation.

Billy explained how he had watched from his bedroom window as one of the Coastal Command’s planes circled the town late one night on fire. Sadly it crashed with no survivors.

311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF was a Czechoslovak-manned bomber squadron of the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. It was the RAF's only Czechoslovak-manned medium and heavy bomber squadron. It suffered the heaviest losses of any Czechoslovak formation in the RAF. In the Second World War 511 Czechoslovaks serving in Allied air forces were killed. Of these 273 (53%) died while serving with 311 Squadron.

Branch secretary Hugh Fraser, said it was a moving and beautiful service. “We were honoured to welcome our guests and I hope we were able to assure them that the sacrifices of their pilots, gunners and wireless operators are not forgotten. They are included in our service of remembrance every year.”

The Czech Republic visitors later went on to another service at Arisaig.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.