Hubert Adair

Sergeant Hubert Hastings "Paddy" Adair (1917–6 November 1940) was a World War II Royal Air Force pilot during the Battle of Britain.

Hubert Hastings Adair
Birth nameHubert Hastings Adair
Nickname(s)Paddy
Born1917 (1917)
Norwich, England
Died6 November 1940 (aged 23)
Widley, Hampshire, England
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Air Force
Years of service1936 — 1940
RankSergeant
Service number580088
UnitNo. 88 Squadron RAF
No. 151 Squadron RAF
No. 213 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsWorld War II
RelationsRobert and Elizabeth Adair (Parents)

Early life

Adair was born in Norwich in 1917, the son of Robert and Elizabeth Adair, and was educated at the City of Norwich School.[1]

Royal Air Force

Adair joined the Royal Air Force in 1936. After completing his training he joined No. 88 Squadron RAF and flew the Fairey Battle aircraft during the Battle of France. Adair volunteered for Fighter Command. He converted to Hawker Hurricanes in August 1940 and joined No. 151 Squadron RAF at RAF Digby on 4 September 1940 and then was posted to No. 213 Squadron RAF at RAF Tangmere on 16 September 1940.

On 6 November 1940 Adair was killed in action over Southampton flying Hurricane AK-D (V7602). It is believed that he was shot down by Major Helmut Wick of JG 2. Adair was posted as "missing in action" and was presumed to have come down in the English Channel.[2]

Later research found that Adair's Hurricane, V7602, crashed at Pigeon House Farm, Widley, Hampshire. When it was excavated on 6 October 1979, the pilot's remains were found and later sent to Portchester Crematorium for disposal.[1][3][4]

Memorials

Adair is named on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede, Surrey, on panel 11.[1][5] A memorial plaque, situation on top of Portsdown Hill in Hampshire close to the believed site of Adair's crash. The plaque reads:

SGT. H.H. ADAIR IN HURRICANE AK-D-V7602 CRASHED NEAR HERE ON THE 6/11/1940 WHILST DEFENDING PORTSMOUTH. HE FOUGHT AGAINST SUPERIOR ODDS AND LOST HIS YOUNG LIFE SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS COULD ENJOY THEIRS.

References
  1. "Portsdown Tunnels - Surface Sites - Memorials - Sergeant HH Adair". Portsdown Tunnels. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  2. Daly, James. "RAF Benevolent Fund Day of Action". Daly History Blog. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  3. "BOBHSOC - Hubert Hastings Adair". Battle of Britain 1940. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  4. Accident description for Hurricane V7602 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 March 2020.
  5. "Casualty Details: Hubert Hastings Adair". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
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