Library Reference Number: 100
Five Brothers Go To War
Coming from a military family (Mr McNab senior was an Army Officer in the 1914-18 war), it would have been no great surprise if one, or even two sons had volunteered for military service. It was incredible however, that all five brothers volunteered to join the Armed Forces during world war two. The following account is given by the youngest of the five brothers - Alastair McNab: - - -
"During the earlier part of world-war two, as each of my brothers left home one by one to join the Armed Forces, my sole ambition was to join them. Being the youngest, my birthdays could not come quickly enough. I was a sergeant in the Air Training Corps, and was desperate to join aircrew, as two of my brothers were already engaged in operational flying duties. A total of five brothers served in the British Armed Forces:-
David ...Captain, Royal Engineers
Alan ... W/O, Royal Engineers
Robert ...Sgt.Wop/AG Royal Air Force
Graham ...W/O, A/G Royal Air Force
Myself: Alastair ...F/Sgt. A/G Royal Air Force.
Two of my elder brothers had joined the Royal Engineers, and there was always a friendly 'ribbing' when all the others volunteered for aircrew duties, that the Royal Engineers had been the fore-runners of the Royal Flying Corps, which in turn evolved into the Royal Air Force. Their claim being that they were our `founder members.'
All but one of us served overseas and came home - Robert, a member of the regular Air Force, was posted missing on 13th August, 1941, during an air strike on Norway. He served with No.42 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command flying Beaufort aircraft.
On my 17th Birthday, I felt I was ready to join the band, and on 13th November, 1943, was accepted PNB-RAF. After the normal introduction to service life I was selected to commence training as a straight Air Gunner, and posted to Bridgenorth. On arrival, a group of us were told we were posted - overseas! Next day, off to Heaton Park, Manchester, kitted out and sent down to Liverpool. We then boarded troopship `Monarch of Bermuda' - bound for some unknown destination.
Meanwhile, brother Graham flew out to India via the Gulf in a Wellington 11c aircraft, picking up an `Africa Star' on his way out, and eventually completing a tour of operations in South East Asia Command.
After 19 days at sea, I was off-loaded at Port Said, Egypt, bound for No. 13 Air Gunnery School, El Ballah. After successfully completing my Gunnery Course, I was called to the Gunnery Leader's Office, and low and behold - standing behind the door was brother Graham - quite a surprise, not having seen him for three years! On completing his tour of operations, he expected a home posting, but instead was posted to El Ballah as a Gunnery Instructor. The reunion was brief, as I continued on my way to further training.
After 'crewing up' and attending O.T.U. (Operational Training Unit) at Aeire, Palestine, I was sent down to a Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) at Abu Sueir, Egypt, to convert from Wellingtons to B24 Liberators. During the Training Course at Abu Sueir, brother Graham once again appeared, having been posted here for a second tour! This did not transpire and he was posted back to U.K. For my part, I was posted to No.40 Squadron, 205 Group in Italy. Foggia Main being our base, it was a tented camp with basic amenities. The war was now in its final stages, so we were operational for the final phase. After peace was declared, our crew was engaged in trooping flights between Foggia, Italy, and Almaza, Egypt. Eventually however, our Squadron (No.40) returned to Abu Sueir, Egypt.
Britain's 'Lease-Lend' arrangement with USA came to a halt at this time, and our American-built Liberators were replaced with Avro Lancasters. Those had been destined for the Far East, but 'the bomb' brought those operations to a swift end. As the Lancaster crews only required odd replacements, I was made redundant. It was then that I realised my flying days were over! I was then posted to RAF Fayid, Egypt, to a German Working Battalion as part of the Supervising Team. My next move was to RAF Kabrit, with a detachment of German POWs to undertake various duties.
My stay at Kabrit was enjoyable, boating and swimming in the Bitter Lakes - but yet, I was ready for home. When this eventually came about, the troopship took us firstly to France, then across to Dover, on to Blackpool followed by three weeks disembarkation leave. Following my home leave, I was posted to RAF Sutton Coldfield as a Sergeant, losing my Flight/Sergeant's crown as I was no longer on flying duties. I was demobbed from this Station, and must confess that I had enjoyed life in the RAF! Two and half years overseas - and back home before I was 21 years. Looking back, one of the most rewarding tasks had occurred during Air Sea Rescue duties, when we were instrumental in saving the crew of an aircraft which had crashed in the Mediterranean. One of my brothers (Alan) served in Italy, but after trying on numerous occasions to meet - we never did.
Coming up to present times, my brother Graham and I attend and enjoy our Aircrew Association meetings. Scottish Saltire Branch venues allow us time and opportunities to discuss with others, who, having experienced similar aircrew situations, can accept our memories with a degree of respect and understanding. Many of those memories returned in 2005, when I returned to the Canal Zone thanks to the 'Heroes Return Scheme.'
For the record, my brother Sgt.Robert McNab, Wop/AG, R.A.F., was credited with shooting down a ME109F fighter over Norway on 24`h July 1941. We were notified 50 years later of his crash site. Graham and I subsequently visited this site and attended a lovely service at Bomlo, Norway.
We appreciated the friendly approach and welcome given to us by the Norwegian people. Some had even carried out aviation research into Robert's final operational flight, when his aircraft was attacked by two German ME109 fighters. It was recorded that Robert had managed to shoot one down before the fatal attack which cost him his life. Having been given details of this final flight and recognition of his aircrew service, we may attempt to record Robert's aircrew history at a later date."