Dr Peter Eric Harold Lovatt PhD, Sqn Ldr, RAF (Rt’d) - 223 (Bomber Support) Sqn, 100 Group, Bomber Command
It was a moment of great sadness when Janine contacted me to give me the news of Peter’s death on 5th March earlier this year.
Peter and I first met at the memorable initial 100 Group Reunion in 1994. I had been invited to join by Martin and Eileen (Founders of this Association) following my approach for information about Sgt David Brockhurst (Brock), a 223 Sqn Air Gunner shot down and killed with Flying Officer Norman Ayres crew on the night of 20th/21st March 1945. I was therefore highly delighted to be introduced to Peter who had served with him in Brock’s first 223 Squadron crew skippered by Flt Lt Jock Hastie. With Peter that night was Bob Lawrence, another member of the Hastie crew, and Peter’s fellow Waist Gunner. Both had been good friends with Brock and had completed their Air Gunnery School (AGS) training with him. Peter was a particularly interesting person because, not only did he retain an interest in his wartime service, but eventually was to research the history and operations of 100 Group, producing the Thesis that led to his Doctorate. We maintained contact through the years with lengthy phone calls and correspondence, particularly in the years leading up to the publication of my book featuring 223 Squadron.
Peter’s wartime service had commenced on a high note when he was accepted by the RAF to train as a pilot under the Pilot, Navigator, Air bomber (PNB) Scheme. He successfully progressed from Reception, through Initial Training Wing (ITW) to an Elementary Flying Training School. The latter was known as Grading School where would-be pilots were given 12 hours of flying instruction to accurately assess a candidate’s suitability for full pilot training. This procedure under the PNB Scheme greatly reduced the high wastage rate that had previously occurred under the earlier approach. Sadly, for Peter and his contemporaries improving aircrew survival rates, as the tide of war turned in the Allies favour, reduced the requirement for trained pilots. They were given little choice by the Air Ministry who invited them to retrain as Air Gunners. The alternative was to remuster to an RAF ground trade, the Army or become miners. It was a massive disappointment for the would-be pilots, many of whom, including Peter; had progressed to flying solo.
His Air Gunnery training was completed at 10 AGS, RAF Walney Island, and with 37 other members of the Course, all newly promoted Sergeants, he entrained for RAF Oulton on 2nd September 1944. After a lengthy cross-country journey from Lancashire they arrived at Aylsham Station. A truck took their heavy kit, but the weary travellers formed up in threes to be marched to Oulton. Next day, Peter and Bob Lawrence were allocated to Hastie’s crew – Brock was to join them later flying 18 ops. I have spoken with Hastie’s Flight Engineer Flt Sgt Jamie Brown, and his Rear Gunner the South African Sgt Sydney Pienaar; all four were unanimous that Hastie was an outstanding personality and Skipper. On meeting Hastie, they were told that they were to call him Jock on the ground, but communication was to be strictly professional in the air. It was a measure of Peter’s respect for Hastie that led him to write a biography of Hastie: ‘Ordinary Man, Super Pilot – the Life and Times of Roy Hastie DFC AE’.
Peter and Bob were to fly on all 41 of Hastie ops. One of these sorties resulted in a most unusual occurrence. The op itself had been uneventful, until Syd Pienaar in the rear turret reported to Hastie that he had seen a hostile approaching. The enemy aircraft must have passed below the Liberator because either Pienaar lost sight of it or was unable to get the aircraft in his sights. The next moment, Bob Lawrence reported to Hastie that the hostile, clearly a Bf 110; was positioned under the starboard wing and thought it had misjudged its approach. Indeed, Bob thought it was too close for their own safety to open fire, adding that he could almost read the instruments on the pilot’s instrument panel. Bob tapped Peter on the shoulder and there was just time for him to catch a glimpse of the long greenhouse of the Bf 110’s cockpit under the starboard wing. Hastie wisely chose to sideslip to port with everyone keeping a watchful eye; whereupon the enemy fighter dived to starboard and quickly disappeared.
Their final op, a Window patrol, as a crew took place on the night of 15th/16th April 1945.
Peter, like many aircrew who continued to serve in the RAF after war ended, had to re-muster to a new specialisation. In his case, it was the end of flying duties with a move to the RAF Regiment. He was to serve for many years and achieved commissioned rank, retiring as a Squadron Leader.
He joined the RAF 100 Group Association at its very beginnings and was an ever-present attendee at Reunions up until a couple of years ago. For many years, he was accompanied by his friend June Stephenson, and latterly by his daughter Nina. He was a friendly, intelligent man and very knowledgeable on the historical aspects of 100 Group operations. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
F/L ‘Jock’ Hastie (Pilot), W/O ‘Wee Jock’ Watson (WOP), Fg Off ‘Soapy’ Hudson (Nav), Flying Off Chris Spicer (Nav) and Peter Lovatt (Port Waist Gunner)
Flight Lieutenant Hastie & crew members, with Peter Lovatt far right
Credited to Bob Lawrence
by Richard Forder
This article is from the Summer 2018 issue of Confound and Destroy
