This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/ReC.2ACI/2540.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Hi Sue, This is a copy of the article about William Gordon published in the P & J on June 4th. Regards - George ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHOCK FIND 60 YEARS AFTER WAR HERO'S DEATH BY ROBERT LESLIE 09:00 - 04 June 2003 The remains of a Dufftown war hero have been found in a field in Sussex more than 60 years after his family believed they had buried him in the local cemetery. Pilot Officer William HG Gordon was just 20 when he was involved in a ferocious dogfight with three Messerschmitt 109s above the Sussex Downs during the Battle of Britain on September 6, 1940. What were thought to be the remains of a local hero were buried with full military honours at Mortlach Church in Dufftown just over two weeks later on September 22. His grave lies in the same plot as his sister Elizabeth, who died last year. His late father, Major William Gordon, and mother, Maggie, are also buried in the neighbouring plot. Relatives of Pilot Officer Gordon live in Inverurie and in Renfrew, near Glasgow. They will be consulted by Ministry of Defence officials this week amid claims that his grave may have to be exhumed. Yesterday, Pilot Officer Gordon's grave was being examined to find out whether there is room to bury remains found last Saturday. The discovery by aviation archaeologists from inside the Spitfire flown by Pilot Officer Gordon cast doubt as to who - or what - might be buried at Mortlach, with suggestions it could be another pilot, or even a coffin full of earth or stones. These theories are dismissed by the Ministry of Defence, however, who say partial remains of Pilot Officer Gordon's body would have been buried in the 1940 ceremony. The archaeologists received permission from the MoD to dig up Spitfire No X4035, the crash site of which was marked by a slight depression in a field beside the River Uck near Hailsham, East Sussex. Several feet below the surface they found remains of Pilot Officer Gordon, along with a name tag on a small piece of material thought to be from his flying jacket. After the Ministry of Defence was contacted, the remains were taken to a nearby police station and then to the local coroner. A spokeswoman for the RAF said wartime procedure meant that only small parts of a body needed to be recovered to allow a burial to take place, and it was not unusual for enthusiasts to find remains when they were investigating sites where aircraft had come down. "The next of kin are and always have been aware that it was only body parts that were buried," she said. She said the RAF were in contact with Pilot Officer Gordon's relatives. "Where we go from here is entirely their decision. Some relatives ask for a small cremation or for a small burial ceremony. Whatever his relatives want, we do," she said. The grave of Pilot Officer Gordon, which lies in the garden section of Mortlach churchyard, so named because it was the garden of the former manse, was yesterday probed to see if another coffin could be buried in the plot. Councillor Bob Wilson, representative for the area, said: "I think the feeling is that Pilot Officer Gordon was a Dufftown loon, and he has been honoured as such, first with the burial with full honours in 1940, and recently with the presentation to Mortlach Primary School of the plaque in his memory as a former pupil." The presentation was organised by the Battle of Britain Historical Society. Arthur Watson, who is a member of the society, said it was not unknown for bodies to be discovered, even more than 60 years after aircraft had been shot down. The Rev Hugh Smith, minister at Mortlach Church, said: "The Gordon family were well known in the town but they are all gone now. It will be up to the remaining relatives and the Ministry of Defence but I imagine we may have some sort of service if these remains are returned to Scotland." Bob Doe, 83, who lives in Crowborough, Sussex, served with Pilot Officer Gordon in 234 Squadron and flew beside him the day he was killed when their Spitfires were attacked. Mr Doe, who went on to attain the rank of wing commander, said: "Scotty was the most delightful man. He was quite a small chap but very handsome."