Glendinning, James Edgar

Flying Officer James Edgar Glendinning

Glendinning was born at 11 Crawford Square, Londonderry on 7th April 1909 to John Clements Glendinning DL and Mary Frances Glendinning nee Campbell. They had married on 1st December 1897 at Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh.

In 1911 Glendinning (2) lived at house 11 Crawford Square, Londonderry with his parents and 2 brothers; William (11) and Harold Victor (7). Two others were resident in the property; Claire MacAllister, Mother's Help and Alice McCleary, Servant.

Following his education, Glendinning joined the bank around 1926 based on a starting age of 17.

He volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR). Promotion from Flight Officer to Flight Lieutenant occurred in July 1943. Promotion to Flying Officer followed (service number 151029).

Glendinning was serving with 404 Squadron, RCAF when he was killed in action on 22nd December 1943.

The squadron's war diary says:

The squadron's luck once again turned sour on 22 December. Three Beaufighters were detailed to provide anti-flak escort on a Rover Patrol to the Lister area for four Torbeaus from 144 Squadron. The patrol discovered what was thought at the time to be a German Destroyer, but in fact was likely Minesweeper M-489 of 775 tons, and a fully surfaced submarine, U-1062, skippered by OL K Albrecht. The Buffalos immediately attacked and during a furious battle, numerous cannon hits were observed on both targets. The crew of P/O Miller and P/O Young made two runs at the submarine. Both enemy vessels escaped a critical torpedo strike.  The barrage that was put up by the Minesweeper and the submarine was fierce - the guns of the submarine shot down two 404 Squadron aircraft. One crew lost was F/L R Munro and F/O WB Conn. "H (Munro) attacked the U-Boat with cannon from seaward, diving from 700 feet.  Was met with intense fire and did not pull out of the dive but plunged straight down into the sea. F (Gillespie) was seen to be on fire, then nosed down with Navigator's gun still firing, and crashed into the sea." The second crew was F/O IG Gillespie and F/O JE Glendinning. It was later stated by a crew from 144 Squadron that they had seen both of the 404 aircraft hit the sea.  The U-1062 was transporting torpedoes.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 30th December 1944 reports:

Glendinning is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey - panel 124 and on the Downpatrick War Memorial.

Acknowledgements to CWGC and to 404 Squadron website. 

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

James Edgar Glendinning was born on 7 February 1909, the son of John Clements Glendinning, a Northern Irish politician and newspaper proprietor, and his wife Mary Frances. In June 1927 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. In February 1928 he moved to Larne branch, then back to head office in October 1930, to Belfast Shaftesbury Square branch in January 1931 and to Downpatrick branch in July 1938.

 

In January 1942 Glendinning left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Flying Officer Glendinning was reported missing, later confirmed dead, on 22 December 1943, when his aircraft crashed into the sea on an operation. He was 34 years old.

 

James Glendinning is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.