Ernest Gane WW2 Fleet Air Arm
Ernest Gane (1926 -1981) was born in Pontllanfraith nr Blackwood and served in the Fleet Air in the Pacific War as an Air Mechanic (Engines) on the Aircraft Carrier HMS Formidable. In May 1945 Formidable was hit by Japanese Kamikaze attacks. Post-war Ernest returned home, married and with his wife and two children moved to Newport. Known as 'Butch' in the FAA, Ernest became a Master butcher where he developed a successful food business. Sadly, Ernest died quite young aged 55yrs in 1981 leaving behind his wife Enid and sons Michael and Ian. Ernest's ashes were scattered at sea.
In 2024, Ernest's son, Ian, passed his father's wartime photograph album to Age Cymru Dyfed to copy and add to the West Wales Veterans Archive, and also to aide research into the history of his father's rather lively war!
This collection contains photographs from Ernest's wartime album including several relating to the Japanese Kamikaze attacks on HMS Formidable. It also contains a written description of Ernest's wartime service following receipt of Ernest's war service record from the MoD and additional research undertaken by Age Cymru Dyfed.
