elizabeth Abbott wrote: > I'm writing from British Columbia, Canada, and wonder if anyone could > give me a bit of background information about Scapa Flow during World > War II. > > My 1st cousin (once removed) was George Herbert Abbott, from Glasgow, > who served in the War. From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission > website, I have discovered that he was a Petty Officer Airman with > the Royal Navy, Unit Text was H.M.S. Tern. He is buried in Kirkwall > (St. Olaf's) Cemetery having died May 1, 1944 at the age of 20. > > My question is: can anyone give me some background about the war > action in Orkney for that time frame. I seem to recall my mother > telling me that George was shot down over Scapa Flow, and yet the > record shows he was with the Royal Navy. Would they have flown > aircraft from aboard ships? I am puzzled about his rank as a Petty > Officer Airman in the Navy. And does anyone know anything about the > H.M.S. Tern? > > Also I'm not familiar with the term "Unit Text" - could anyone > clarify? > > Anything that might help put further light on his action and death > during the War would be so helpful. > > Thank you, > > Elizabeth Elizabeth, HMS Tern was the Royal Navy Air Station at Twatt in Orkney. On the other side of the road was the RAF Skeabrae air station. Remains of both stations can be seen there to this day. You'll find a small amount of information here - http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/wartime_orkney/page3.html All rating members of the Fleet Air Arm were known as "Naval Airmen", whether they were aircrew or not. Don't know what "unit text" means - probably something to do with the CWGC web page. -- Mike Clouston