Australian pilot Gordon Singleton, who made
wartime history by landing a Sunderland flying boat
on a Pembrokeshire airfield, has died aged 97 -
almost exactly 70 years after his remarkable feat of
airmanship.
On May 29th 1943 Gordon and his crew from No 461
Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, landed in the
open sea to rescue several airman who were
transferred to a naval vessel. Later, in a prolonged
drama, Gordon with a reduced crew took off in heavy
seas, the Sunderland sustaining hull damage in the
process.
This prevented a water landing back at Pembroke Dock
so Gordon elected to touch down on Angle Airfield,
something never attempted before. A masterly landing
was made on the grass, without injury to the crew.
Although eventually recovered Sunderland T9114 never
flew again.
Gordon remained in the UK after the end of World War
II and was a regular visitor to Pembrokeshire in
recent years. He last visited in 2008 when, at the
invitation of the Pembrokeshire Aviation Group, he
unveiled the refurbished airfield memorial at West
Angle Bay on the 65th anniversary of his historic
landing.
He was also a great supporter of the Pembroke Dock
Sunderland Trust and its heritage initiatives.
His unique aviation achievement also features in the
Sunderland Trust’s Fleets to Flying Boats Centre in
the Royal Dockyard and a small part of his actual
aircraft - T9114 - is on display at the town’s
Flying Boat Centre Workshop.
Originally from Victoria, Australia, Gordon
Singleton had resided for the last 18 months in a
home at Welwyn Garden City. He is survived by his
wife, Patricia, and an extended family, to whom
sympathy is extended.
Captions:
Into history….Sunderland T9114 after its historic
landing.
PICTURE: Sunderland Trust Archive.
65 years on….Gordon Singleton revisiting Angle
Airfield in 2008, close to where his Sunderland came
to rest in May 1943.
PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.
From: John Evans, Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust,
01646 684220