Flight Lt GLC Beattie
George Liddell Caruthers Beattie
- Rank
- Flight Lt
- Squadron
- No 61 Squadron
- School
- South African College Schools (SACS), University of Cape Town
- Born
- 1901
- Fate
- Killed in action
- In the book
- Pages 80
From the book
More than a “Few” South Africans
Eleven of the 170 bombers that attacked Bremen on June 4th did not return. No 61 Squadron Lancaster gunner 41-year-old Flight Lt GLC Beattie and six crew members lost their lives. George Liddell Carruthers Beattie, born in England in 1901, educated at SACS, University of Cape Town was a Rhodes Scholar and joined the RAF in 1918 after lying about his age. Commissioned in 1940 15 he participated in both “Thousand Bomber Raids”, though not the only South African involved, Alwyn Crampton Hamman appears to have been the only South African to lose his life during those raids.
The Dreaded Telegram
A year later, Pilot Officer Deas, a No 61 Squadron Hampden pilot, had been awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross”, by April 1943, acting Squadron Leader Deas was flying Lancaster’s and had earned a “Bar” to his award. Six South Africans, Cundill, Hermon 30, Beattie, Briggs, Miller and Woodvine lost their lives serving with the Squadron.