A spectacular airborne sight will thrill people in Perth on Wednesday as the life of WWII fighter pilot Ernie Holmes is celebrated with a historic flypast.
At 2.18pm, on Wednesday, July 20 people are being encouraged to look skyward as a Spitfire and a Hurricane aircraft make a pass of the city centre.
Flt Lt Ernie Holmes DFC died in October 2021, aged 100.
His long life saw him flying as an elite ‘Pathfinder’ pilot with the RAF as Britain waged war in the 1940s.
He did his flying training in Perth and met local girl Irene who he married later after the war ended.
They spent their last years together in the same Perth retirement home.
Ernie never missed an occasion which involved planes and took his last hold of the cockpit controls when he was in his mid nineties.
To mark his life, Ernie’s family have organised a day in his honour which begins with an air display that will see vintage aircraft coming from Lossiemouth, going to Arbroath and then visiting Perth.
His son, David Holmes, said it was hoped the day would be “a fitting tribute to a remarkable man from a remarkable generation.”
The flypast could happen as early as 2pm but is likely to be on schedule for 2.18pm over Perth.
The planes from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) will be moving up and down the River Tay and will be clearly visible for a few minutes.
The Spitfire and the Hurricane are then heading to a final destination at Leuchars.
As a safety precaution, the public are being asked not to try and watch the flypast from the bridges, instead to please stay on the street or in the park beside the river.
Police officers and marshals will try to prevent crowds of people coming onto the bridges over the Tay.
Instead they are advised that there are benches and open space at the area beside Queen’s Bridge and plane watchers could also bring their own chairs if standing is an issue.
Some invited guests will be wearing medals as they watch the flypast and remember Ernie, who was awarded the DFC medal and survived a period in the notorious German PoW camp, Stalag Luft III.
David Holmes said: “The BBMF will do their very best to provide a tribute not only to dad, but also to all the Bomber Command crews who died with their stories untold, and we would ask you to include them in your thoughts.”
He concluded that nothing was guaranteed: “The aircraft are original WWII planes, and there is always the possibility that the flypast may be cancelled or curtailed due to bad weather or mechanical failure.
“We, and BBMF, sincerely hope that this will not be the case and a splendid display will be seen by many.”
A church service for Ernie’s heroic life will take place at St John’s Episcopal Church, Princes Street at 3pm.
Members of the East of Scotland University Air Squadron will be on hand to assist and direct visitors if required.
If anyone would like to make a donation to the RAF Benevolent Fund in Ernie’s memory, there will be a collection plate in the porch at the end of the service, or donations can be made online at Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Ernie’s family are making the day available by an online link for the many who will be unable to attend.
David said this was entirely in line with his father’s thinking: “Your virtual presence will be welcome.
“Dad embraced new technology and latterly ‘Alexa’ was his constant companion.”
The live YouTube stream link, for 3pm on July 20 is: https://youtu.be/vCUEOVGQroQ
