LWC Remembers: David Love

LWC REMEMBERS David Love (A184)

Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Died 4th November 1967, aged 22

Sternian Nigel Appleton reports on the tragic death of David Love who is buried at Terendal Mil Cemetary, Malaysia.

David was stationed at RAF Changi on the island of Singapore where he was a navigator with 205 Squadron RAF. The Squadron operated the AVRO Shackleton MR 2, an anti-submarine and maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

One of 205 Squadron’s duties was to provide Search and Rescue cover at RAF Gan: a remote island in the Maldives archipelago and a staging post for transport aircraft flying between the Middle East and Far East stations. Aircraft and crews were detached from Singapore on a two-week rotation.

On the 4th of November 1967 Shackleton WL786 departed Gan en route for Singapore. On board were the normal crew of ten, including David, plus one passenger on his way to his son’s wedding in Singapore. Some 5 hours into the flight, WL786 was cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet approximately 120 miles west of Indonesia when the No4 engine failed. Due to a lack of evidence the exact cause of the failure can’t be determined though it is likely that a connecting rod punctured the side of the cylinder block and severed the oil line to the propeller feathering mechanism, causing an engine over-speed and fire. The crew were unable to feather the propeller and it became a windmilling disc, generating a massive amount of drag and severe vibration. The engine finally tore itself from its mountings and fell away from the aircraft but not before the starboard wing was well ablaze. The loss of the engine and the fire made control of the aircraft exceptionally difficult. With only partial control of the aircraft available to him, the pilot attempted to ditch into the sea. Tragically only 3 people survived the impact: the flight engineer, one signaller and the passenger. They were rescued by the crew of the frigate HMS Ajax six hours later.

David was, sadly, amongst those killed in the crash.

Flying Officer Peter Hearn RAF recalls that David had joined 205 Squadron very shortly before the accident, possibly only weeks, and as was quite often the case had been sent to Gan as a ’taster’ (to experience operational life in a Shackleton Squadron). Peter remembers the accident well, mainly because David had taken his place on that detachment, but also because he was a member of the crew that flew out to drop blood and plasma to the RN frigate HMS Ajax that had rescued the survivors.

Having qualified as a navigator, David attended a course at the Maritime Operational Training Unit (MOTU) to learn the specific skills required to navigate a Maritime Recognisance aircraft hundreds of miles out to sea in the days long before modern inertial and GPS navigational aids. Pictured on the left here.

David’s name is listed on the Armed forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

David at LWC:

Sternians who remeber their school days alongside David may be pleased to see this lovely photograph of him enjoying being out and about at LWC. On this particular day in 1959 they were tree planting in Sheephouse Copse. It brings us great comfort to know that this little sappling is up in Sheephouse Copse growing strong, nestled amongst many other trees planted by Sternians.

Our records show us that David joined the College in September 1956, left in July 1963, and was in Sutton House. He played at Fly Half for both the 1st XV and 1st VII and was described as “Defensively very sound with a good kick and a fine pair of hands. A ready eye for an opening.” We were delighted to find this cover of this 1963 Sower which shows David in the throws of a rugby match and enjoying every moment no doubt.

David (pictured right) out tree-planting in Sheephouse Copse in 1959

David was also a member of the 1st XI Cricket team and in The Sower, 1963, it was said “David Love made a notable contribution to the success of the XI, both as wicket-keeper and batsman. Catching virtually everything that came within reach and playing some fighting innings when they were most urgently needed, he earned his Colours.” He was also a very competent Triple Jumper and member of the Senior Cross-Country team.

David appeared on the cover of the 1963 edition of The Sower

With Thanks

Thank you to Nigel Appleton for kindly offering to assist us with this article. It is greatly appreciated.

Condolences

We would also like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of David Love.