James Joseph Hyde

Flight Sergeant James Hyde of San Juan, Trinidad, a Spitfire pilot who arrived in Britain in 1942 to begin his training, here pictured in 1944 with his Squadron’s mascot, a dog called ‘Dingo’. He is wearing a life jacket, known universally as a Mae West, and is holding an oxygen mask and his flying gloves. Most air battles took place at altitudes in excess of 15,000 feet (c. 5000 metres) and oxygen and thermal protection were vital. [Source: www.movinghere.org.uk - Imperial War Museum (IWM) Reference CH11978]

1391841 - J.J. Hyde - Trinidad - W/O - Pilot - attested 6.6.41 - M. 25.9.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 - Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

1391841 - Warrant Officer - Pilot - 132 Sqn - Spitfire IXE, PL316 - KIA at 27

Volunteer Trinidad ETS, trained at Piarco. Took off at 1525hrs on 25 Sep 1944, tasked with providing aerial cover during the battle of Arnhem. Killed in dog fight over Nijmegan. Probably shot down by a/c of Jagdkorps II, probably I/JG26 or II JG26 which claimed 4 Spitfires each. See Top guns of the Luftwaffe, D Caldwell, pg 281. German a/c FW 190D-9 or Bf 109G-6. - Son of Joseph and Millicent Hyde, of San Juan, Trinidad.

[Source: CMHA]

Name: HYDE, JAMES JOSEPH
Initials: J J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Warrant Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 132 Sqdn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 25/09/1944
Service No: 1391841
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Millicent Hyde, of San Juan, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. A. 7.
Cemetery: JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

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