Perth pilot John “Jock” Moffat, who won fame as “the man who sank the Bismark”, has died aged 97.
Always modest about his actions which helped change the course of history, it was in May 1941 that he swooped from the clouds in a Fairey Swordfish to fire a torpedo into the rudder of the Bismarck, fatally disabling the battleship.
It was left at the mercy of the Royal Navy and the sinking of the warship was a major boost to British morale as retaliation for the destruction of HMS Hood two days earlier.
Born in the Scottish borders, in 1938 Mr Moffat applied to join the Fleet Air Arm and after training flew from four different aircraft carriers, HMS Argus, HMS Furious, HMS Formidable and HMS Ark Royal.
He still relished taking to the air and just over a year ago the Scottish Aero Club (SAC), Scotland’s oldest and largest civilian flying club, held a special event at Scone airport to honour one of its most senior honorary members.
Mr Moffat had been a member of the SAC for over 30 years following a 40-year break from flying after his wartime service as a pilot.
Due to deteriorating eyesight he was accompanied by a representative from Scottish War Blinded to the Scone event, and he took to the sky in the lead aircraft of a flypast.
During the day a number of notes from well-wishers were read out, including from a range of famous pilots and supporters that Mr Moffat had met through the years.
As a special surprise for Mr Moffat, thanks to the research support of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, he was presented with replacements for wartime medals that were lost many years ago.
Norman Sutherland of the Scottish Aero Club paid tribute to Mr Moffat on the club’s behalf.
“He was a lovely guy and a true gentleman,” he said. “It was really good that we were able to honour him last year.”
Mr Moffat, who lived in Dunkeld for a number of years, and latterly in a care home in Perth, died on Sunday.
