Herald - Issue 425

Page 10 • The HERALD • 23rd June 2022 v F @ heraldpublishing v FREE ESTIMATES Call Richard on 07554 421544 or 023 8178 8299 PEST CONTROL Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural • WASPS • MOLES • RABBITS • RATS • BEES • MICE • SQUIRRELS • PIGEONS • INSECTS Local Friendly Family Run Business Fully Trained & Insured Wet clean or Dry clean • Carpets • Rugs • Upholstery • Cushions • Mattresses • Caravans & Motor Homes PVCu FASCIAS & GUTTERING CLEANING SERVICE Gutters checked for leaks and repaired Also new installations Driveway, Patio and Decking Cleaning and Restoration Service Very reliable and fully insured Good Rates and Professional Service Special Rates for OAP’s Call us now for a free quote Holbury 07884 112416 The next Herald is out on 14th July PILOT OFFICER HALDANE GEORGESON In All Saints’ Church, Fawley, graveyard, next to the Kinkead memorial, are buried the remains of Pilot O cer Haldane Georgeson. Haldane was born in South Island, New Zealand to George Haldane Georgeson (born 4th August 1884 died June 1965) and Grace Georgeson (nee Southern) (born 1888 died 1933). Haldane was their eldest son and he was born on 2nd June 1914 in Southland, South Island, New Zealand. He had one brother, John, who was born 4 years later. Haldane attended Southland High School for Boys from 1927 to 1931 and was a splendid athlete. In 1932 he was awarded a Flying Scholarship, and in 1933 the New Zealand government recommended also excelled in his ying with two other pilots when they broke the bombing record for the squadron. However, his life was to be cut short on Monday, October 7th 1935, aged just 21 years when he was killed instantly in his single seater ghter aeroplane. Haldane was ying a Bristol Bulldog Mk 11A. He was based in Biggin Hill, Kent, and had been on a friendly visit to Lee-on-Solent with a fellow pilot. On Monday morning they le , each in his own aeroplane, to return to Biggin Hill from Lee-on-Solent and were ying towards Calshot. Pilot O cer Pawson who was ying the other aeroplane said that he did not actually see Georgeson dive, but saw a white patch on the water 3,500 below, which was the foam of the splash made by the machine as it entered the water. An eye witness said ‘I saw the aeroplane loop the loop, and it came swooping down towards the water in a steep dive’. is was reported by an o cial at the Calshot signal station. ‘Suddenly the wings seemed to fold back, and the machine struck the water with a loud crash.’ Fast motor launches immediately put out from RAF Calshot, and Haldane Georgeson’s body was dragged from the cockpit of the sinking machine and taken back to Calshot. At the Inquest it was stated that Georgeson was the only occupant of the machine, and the cause of the crash was unknown at that time. He was the 36th member of the RAF to be killed in 1935. At the inquest, evidence given by a fellow pilot suggested that Haldane had dived over the base to say goodbye before returning to his station at Biggin Hill. e witness, Pilot O cer Pawson, said that he and that he was awarded a commission in the Royal Air Force. He was appointed to a Short Service Commission in March 1934, and later was posted to Sealand, England. In England, his sporting skills soon came to the fore. He joined No. 32 squadron where he became a member of the rugby 15 and Captain of the cricket 11, also reached the nals in his weight, for boxing. He TALES FROM THE GRAVEYARD OF Written by Patricia Hedley-Goddard, Churchyard Archivist for the ancient parish church of All Saints’, Fawley Pilot Officer Haldane Georgeson’s Grave Continued on page 11 Age Concern are pleased to o er a FREE monthly carers group held the first Wednesday of every month , 11am to 12.30pm at the Horrill Care and Wellbeing Centre off Challenger Way, SO45 5SZ. e group is open to those who care or have cared for someone to come together and chat with likeminded people. Monthly Carers Group