Love, James Clements

Sergeant James Clements Love

Love was born on 21st July 1917 at Clougherney, Co. Tyrone to William Love and Charlette Love nee Clements. He lived in Fintona and was educated in Dungannon Royal School and Omagh Academy.

James joined the Ulster Bank on 22nd February 1939. His last post in the Bank was in Castlewellan branch.

Ulster Bank, Castlewellan branch

James volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR) with service number 745109. 

The Aberdeen Press and Journal of 17th June 1940 carried a report from the Air Ministry that Sgt J C Love (RAF) was 'missing'.

The Scotsman of 7th February 1941 carried a further report from the Air Ministry that confirmed Sgt J C Love as 'previously reported missing, now presumed killed in action'.

Love was serving with 254 Squadron RAF (VR) when he was killed in action on 1st June 1940.

Sgt Love is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey - panel 16.

Info from CWGC, to 254 Squadron. 

Acknowledgements must also go to 12Oclockhigh website who state "... Blenheim IV R3630. Shot down by Fw Otto Sawallisch of 2./JG27 during patrol over the Goodwin Sands and crashed in the Channel 8.08 a.m.  Sergeant Richard Arthur Bate, Sergeant James Clements Love and LAC William Thomas Harrison all missing. Aircraft QY*Q lost. ..."

Further information courtesy of James Brady who also asks "I understood that he and a friend from the Bank enlisted together (? Also in the RAF ). Do you have any means of finding out the name of that person?" Please add a comment if you can assist with this query.

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

James Clements Love was born on 21 July 1917. In March 1937 he started work for Ulster Bank at its Castlewellan branch.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Love left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Sergeant Love joined 254 Squadron, a Coastal Command Squadron, and he took part in air operations over Dunkirk during the Dunkirk evacuations, which happened between 28 May and 4 June 1940. The Blenheim in which he was flying was lost over Dunkirk on 1 June 1940, with all three crew members missing, presumed dead. He was 22 years old.

James Love 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.