For all of my life Clydesdale Harriers has been part of the community – not just the local West Dunbarton community but of Scotland too. At this time of year, with the armistice commemorations for the sacrifices made by club members in both wars we should note that the club has lost many members in these conflicts. Obviously there was a tremendous loss of life at the Blitz in the Burgh itself but many were lost in action. The first harrier to lose his life u=in the 1939-45 war was John McGregor Little from Dalmuir. Little had been a flight sergeant in the RAF based in Lille in France and his tale is told below.
John Little
The Runnymede Memorial
John Little joined Clydesdale Harriers early in 1937 and was a popular club member who trained regularly and took part in all club activities. He was more a track athlete than a cross-country or road runner and you would search in vain for his name among these trophy winners, or indeed team members.
One of the first references to him was in the Clydebank Press of 11th June, 1937 in the weekly Harriers column which read as follows. “Here is the list of events that have been decided in the handicap and scratch series of events. 100 Yards (Handicap): 1. J Little 2. J Holding, 3. J Duncan. 100 Yards (championship): 1. J Little; 2. A Shields; 3. J Flaherty. 220 Yards: 1. J Little; 2. A Shields; 3. A Ralston.
A new “star” has appeared in our local athletics firmament in the person of J Little who joined up with us during the winter season. He has youth and enthusiasm on his side. A formidable combination, and should do well if carefully handled.
At the Singer gala last Saturday we were well represented and the following caught the judges’ eye: 220 yards: 2nd J Little, 3rd; J Merrick; One Mile: 2 T Luke.”
He appeared in several good race results over the summer and by mid-July he had won the club track championship. The “Press” report again: “Jack Little continues to carry all before him and already is an easy winner of the track championship with some races still to be decided. Here are the latest results:- Handicap Competition: 220 Yards: 1. J Robson; 2. J Flaherty’ 3. J Holding; 440 Yards: 1. J Little; 2. T Luke; 3. J Flaherty; 880 Yards: W Wilkinson; 2. T Sinclair. Scratch Competition: 440 Yards: 1. J Little; 2. J Flaherty; 3. T Luke. In the half-mile race, Little stood on the virtual scratch mark, a lonely figure with his nearest neighbour yards away. For two laps he was completely out of it and then showed why he had won both quarter-mile races. He finished fourth, a great performance.
At the end of the summer season the following paragraph appeared in the report on the club championships. “The new Semple Merit Trophy was handed over by the father of the donor, John D Semple of Beverly, USA. This splendid bronze plaque is mounted and has provision for approximately fifty names. Once more Clydesdale Harriers are in the debt of “J. D.. The track championship was won by Jack Little.”
Little was obviously a young man of talent and a good club member too. Not a distance runner who raced cross-country at any level. His name does not appear in any club, District or National championships or relays. Check the programmes.
The 1930’s was a period of unrest in Europe which led to actual conflict in 1939 and young men were called up or enlisted in Army, Navy and Air Force in big numbers.
John McGregor Little joined the Air Force and was killed in action in 1940, the first club member known to have been killed in the War. It was reported in the club minutes of 2nd July, 1940, as follows: “It is with regret that the club learned of the unfortunate occurrence concerning the fate of Pilot Sergeant John Little who was reported missing, presumed dead, John Little was a popular and able member of the club.”
John had lived in Dalmuir, and was the son of James and Christina Little. He was one of the first to join up and was a member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 85 Squadron. He died on 19th May, 1940 at the age of 22 years.
More information is contained in the attached document from the Aviation Safety Network. It tells us that He was the only occupant of a Hawker Hurricane aircraft which took off from Lille in France for a combat plane patrol. He was shot down at 1200 hours on 19th May. The plane was destroyed and the pilot missing, presumed killed in action. His remains were never found.
The Hurricane, a fighter plane with a maximum speed of 300 mph and a crew of only one, is described in the Wikipedia article as follows:
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1930s–40s which was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was overshadowed in the public consciousness by the Supermarine Spitfire during the Battle of Britain in 1940, but the Hurricane inflicted 60% of the losses sustained by the Luftwaffe in the campaign, and fought in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
Although his remains have never been found, he is commemorated at the Runnymede War Memorial pictured at the top of this short profile. Note that – his remains were never found. He went up alone in his plane to do battle on our behalf and did not come back. We should remember him – a man who wore the white vest with the black trim and the big C front and back and all the other Harriers who were among those who died in the War along with all the thousands of others from all countries.
