A new monument honouring a young American airman killed in a 1943 plane crash near Howwood was unveiled yesterday during a wet and windswept ceremony on the Gleniffer Braes.
The memorial to 2nd Lt Herman C. “Jack” Carey was officially unveiled by Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron at the remote Hartfield Moss site on the B775 (Gleniffer Road), surrounded by farmland, moorland and low cloud that made the setting feel almost as isolated as the day of the accident.
Despite the driving rain and strong winds, a piper led the procession at Hartfield Farm, followed by a short outdoor service conducted by Rev Ian Miller, a Baptist minister. Wreaths were laid and the Last Post was played in tribute, while cadets from 1701 (Johnstone) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets stood behind the memorial throughout the ceremony.
Photo: Wreath layers included representatives, including Renfrewshire Provost, local councillors and members of Howwood Community Council
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: Alison Baxter playing the Last Post at the memorial service
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Those present included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, local councillors, members of RAF Air Cadets 1701 Squadron from Johnstone, and members of Howwood Community Council. Among them was Dave Cooper, Secretary of the Howwood Community Council, who has led much of the work over recent years to ensure Lt Carey’s story is remembered and who led the ceremony.
Many locals may not have known that the original memorial to Lt Carey stood in the field at Hartfield Farm for over 20 years. Born on 23 January 1914 in Knoxville, Tennessee, he served as a Second Lieutenant in the 311th Ferry Command, 27th Air Transport Group of the USAAF during World War II.
At 11.10am on 28th December 1943, he took off from Renfrew Airport in a P-47D Thunderbolt on a delivery flight to Burtonwood Air Base in Cheshire. Around 20 minutes later, in heavy mist and low cloud, the aircraft came down through trees and crashed into a field, killing the 29-year-old pilot instantly. He was the sole occupant. His remains were returned to the United States and he is buried in Lynnhurst Cemetery in his hometown of Knoxville.
In recent years that stone was badly vandalised and left in pieces, but local farmer David Jamieson and his son Alan recovered and reassembled what they could.
Since then, Howwood Community Council has spent the past three years working to replace the memorial, research Lt Carey’s life and trace surviving relatives. Two family members have been contacted, including the relative who provided the quote used during the ceremony.
A relative said: “Jack was always held close to the hearts of his parents and siblings. They would be grateful that their beloved Jack is remembered and honoured by the residents of the far away place where he died. As an American, I am deeply touched by this honour to a young American pilot who was unknown to anyone there but is remembered as representing his country in the fight alongside Great Britain to defeat Hitler.”
After yesterday’s service, guests made their way back to The Boarding House in Howwood for refreshments, a display of historical material and a short talk about Lt Carey’s life and service.
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News
Photo: RAF Air Cadets 1701 Squadron from Johnstone
Photo Credit: David Cameron / Renfrewshire News