Death of Ayr pilot turned priest

Jun 19 2009 by Lisa Boyle

A WARTIME fighter pilot who later became a priest has died aged 87.

Ayr man James Currie joined up in 1940 and his heroics and bravery earned him numerous awards and medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

But James later became Father Ninian when he was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest at the church of St Anthony in Crawley.

It was a far cry from his previous life serving in WW2.

During this time he flew over 130 operations with 127 Squadron in the Western Desert and Eastern Med.

While training, James successfully force landed his Hurricane fighter when the engine failed.

In September 1942, James’ mother received a personal commendation from Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Moore.

It read: “I was thrilled to read the achievements of your boy in a recent copy of the local paper. You certainly must be proud of him.

“It is amazing what these lads have done and are doing and, if only they are spared, we can be assured in feeling that we have a grand race of young men and women to take over the future problems of settling peace and arranging the reconstruction of a better world.”

RAF chiefs praised James’ “courage and devotion to duty.”

They added: “Many of his missions have been flown in adverse weather over mountainous terrain.

“His leadership and accuracy have materially contributed to the many successes attained by his flight.”

James joined Scottish Aviation when the war was over.

After being ordained, James went to Amritsar in India as a missionary.

He came home briefly in 1966 but went back to India later the same year.

By 1970, their work was complete and James finally came home.

He spent the rest of his time in the Franciscan Friary in Chester and in Erith, Kent.

James died peacefully on Sunday, June 7 in a Chester hospice.