A BOURNEMOUTH pensioner is calling for a memorial for Flt Lt Jon Egging at the same spot on the East Cliff where a plaque commemorates another pilot who died while entertaining thousand of holidaymakers on Bournemouth seafront more than six decades ago.

Tragedy struck when Flt Lt B E ‘Butch’ Green, DFC, was giving a display of stunt flying, on behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund, as part of the town’s Battle of Britain Week commemorations.

After executing a victory roll on September 17, 1947, in response to a request from a child in the crowd, his RAF Spitfire dived into the sea between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

Despite continued efforts by divers and others to attempt a rescue, there was no trace of Ft Lt Green, 35, who was Canadian and had been planning to return to Vancouver to take over his father’s business.

Ken Barnett, 82, who lives on the East Cliff and completed National Service with the RAF, said: “I think it would be appropriate to honour both pilots at the same site, with a joint plaque.”

He has put the idea to Bournemouth council following demands for a tribute to Red Arrow hero Flt Lt Egging who lost his life when his Hawk T1 aircraft crashed into a field at Throop, near Bournemouth Airport, on Saturday.

The Bournemouth area has witnessed several fatal air crashes.

In 1910 celebrations to mark the resort’s centenary were overshadowed by tragedy when aleading aviator was killed in a crash at Southbourne aerodrome.

Charles Stuart Rolls, 33, partner in the Rolls-Royce motor firm, was taking part in three days of displays when disaster struck shortly after his Short-Wright biplane took off.

In one of the worst local air disasters in 1958 nine people aboard a BOAC Britannia were killed when it crashed at Sopley Park, Winkton, during a training flight. Four others were injured.

The plane skimmed the roof of the Lamb Inn before ploughing through trees and crashing in a field opposite. Frederick Norris, 43, from Bransgore was treated for head injuries caused by falling debris.

Ten thousand spectators on the Quay at Christchurch Regatta had a narrow escape when two Blue Eagles Army aerobatic display helicopters collided in mid-air in August 1969.

One pilot died and the other escaped with facial injuries. Miraculously no one on the ground was badly hurt.