“More precisely, the aircraft were Supermarine Walrus equipped with a Bristol Pegasus engine.  They were small amphibious biplane flying boats designed for operation from cruisers and battleships.  At the time these aircraft were being built at Southampton.  They had folding wings for storage aboard these ships and carried a crew of three, including the pilot.  Its primary function was that of reconnaissance from its parent ship but it can safely be said that the Walrus was used for many different roles during the war.

“Getting down proved to be a tricky operation because of the sea that was running, but it was done without any damage to the aircraft.  But the danger to Kirke’s aircraft now was that he was drifting towards the shore - these little flying boats, when not powered up, drifted very quickly if the wind caught them.  Before alighting on the water the radio man sent a signal (this was before the days of voice radio) advising of their predicament.  Immediately, two other Walrus’ took off from Stornoway to see what help, if any, could be given.

“Lt. Joliffe, a Royal Marine officer, flew one of the aircraft that was despatched and I flew the other one.  We soon found the downed Walrus and it was very clear to us that he would soon be on the rocks at Port of  Ness.  The aircraft crew meantime were safe, although doubtless apprehensive.  Before take-off Joliffe had said that he would alight and try and take Kirke’s aircraft in tow - an operation which was thought unlikely to succeed.  We both circled around with no communication before Joliffe decided to go down. 

“Unfortunately, because of the rough sea conditions, the Walrus couldn’t take it and broke up.  Joliffe had to abandon the aircraft, but I saw that he and his crew were safely aboard their rubber dinghy.  All six – the two crews - were set fair to drift ashore; one aircraft lost, another about to be.  What was to be done?  It seemed that it would all be over in about 10 minutes time, and I could do nothing to help.  So I continued to circle and watch what appeared to be an inevitable disaster unfolding below me.  As expected, Kirke’s aircraft eventually foundered on the rocks at Port of Ness and sank very rapidly.  I could see it under the water.  The crew scrambled ashore and all appeared safe.

“Because there didn’t seem to be anybody about who witnessed the Walrus foundering, I decided at this point to land somewhere to try and give assistance, such as I could, but there didn’t seem to be anywhere suitable close at hand.  So I chose a small field - and it did look small too!  But I knew that I was flying into a strong wind and therefore my landing run could be very short.   I believed tha I had a good chance of getting away with it. 

“I made a good approach and managed to get down.  I thought to myself that I was going to make it; there was plenty of room.  I applied my brakes - nothing happened - terrible feeling - and we went into a fairly deep ditch at the end of the field.  Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the aircraft was undamaged.  We were very lucky, but I felt “a proper Charlie”: yet another Walrus out of action anyway for the time being - representing half the establishment at Stornoway.  In the event myself and my crew, Midshipman Welford and Naval Airman Stanesby, didn’t need to  assist the other two crews as they had made it safely to shore.  Road transport was arranged to take them back to base, wet and dispirited.

“I remained at Port of Ness to look after ‘The Ozard of Wiz’ until the following Wednesday - 17th October - when a salvage team arrived.  With sheer manpower we managed to lift the aircraft out of the ditch.  The wings were then folded and we towed the aircraft back to the machair [grassland area on coastal sandy plain] near the Butt of Lewis.  The wings were extended, the engine started and she was flown back to base.

“This Walrus was subsequently turned in for overhaul in January 1941 after many flying hours while we were based for the Winter at Sullom Voe in Shetland - still looking for submarines.