Rennie, Basil John Allan
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Basil John Allan |
Surname | Rennie |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | MC |
Date of Death | 19-10-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of George and Margaret Eleanor Rennie, of Parktown Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Anson I |
Serial Number | R3310 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Cottesmore (St. Nicholas) Churchyard Extension |
Grave Reference | Compt. 16. Grave 16. |
Epitaph | OUR BELOVED SON SAFELY HOME |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 89 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 87414 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 92 |
Squadron | 14 OTU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | South Africa |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. Nicholas, Cottesmore, Rutland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | This chapel is dedicated to the memory of the officers and men of the British and American forces stationed at Cottesmore who gave their lives for freedom, 1939-1945, The way of life goeth upward. |
Miscellaneous Information
The citation to his MC appeared in the London Gazette Supplement on 13 March 1942 pg. 1165: "This officer was shot down by night fighters and, escaping by parachute, landed on some telephone wires in Belgium. After overcoming almost unsurmountable difficulties, during the course of which he severely handled a disloyal Belgian, who tried to hand him over to the enemy, and killed a sentry who was about to arrest him, he reached this country and reported for full flying duties. Flying Officer Rennie brought back a considerable amount of valuable information. Throughout his experience he showed the greatest skill, courage and daring." |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 19-10-1942 |
End Date | 19-10-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Cottesmore |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | |
Reason for Loss | Night navigation exercise on 3 October 1942. Severe weather forced abandonment of aircraft at 2230 Hrs and aircraft crashed 1 mile west of Sutton St James. It is possible that Rennie was injured and died on 19 Oct 1942, some 16 days after the accident - although no injuries were recorded at the time of the crash. |