# Alec Sutherland

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**Alexander Ross Sutherland** (19 August 1922 – 16 April 2014) was a Scottish [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) airman. As a teenager he helped establish the Inverness squadron of the [Air Training Corps](/source/Air_Training_Corps), becoming their first [senior non-commissioned officer](/source/Senior_non-commissioned_officer). Enlisting with the RAF, he became a bombardier/radio operator, flying ten bombing raids over Germany with [No. 5 Group RAF](/source/No._5_Group_RAF) in [Avro Lancasters](/source/Avro_Lancaster) during [World War II](/source/World_War_II).

A [librarian](/source/Librarian) in civilian life, he competed successfully in swimming competitions into his late 80s, coached swimming and participated in competitive water polo, gaining various awards and honours, including an [Order of the British Empire](/source/Order_of_the_British_Empire) (MBE). He was also an expert mountaineer and taught children about his experiences in the RAF.

## Early life

Sutherland was born in [Inverness](/source/Inverness), Scotland, on 19 August 1922. He was the oldest son of William and Jessie Sutherland and his siblings were brother Billy and sister Nancy. His father was the chief clerk at [Inverness railway station](/source/Inverness_railway_station). He was educated at Merkinch Primary School and [Inverness Technical High School](/source/Inverness_High_School).[1][2] When he was fourteen, he joined the Inverness County Library Service and delivered books to all the schools in the county.[1]

Sutherland was a founding member of the [London, Midland and Scottish Railway](/source/London,_Midland_and_Scottish_Railway) Swimming Club. In 1937, the club was set up contemporaneous with the opening of the town's new baths. He swam in a children's balloon race, the first competitive event held at the pool.[3]

## Military service

Sutherland aspired to be a pilot, but his [night vision](/source/Night_vision) was impaired by [snow blindness](/source/Snow_blindness). He joined the [Air Defence Cadet Corps](/source/Air_Defence_Cadet_Corps) in 1940 and with the founding of the [Air Training Corps](/source/Air_Training_Corps) in 1941 he helped establish the Inverness squadron,[1] becoming the squadron's first senior [non-commissioned officer](/source/Non-commissioned_officer). He became the cadet flight sergeant when the corps were provided with training by RAF instructors. The squadron had disassembled a [Hawker Audax](/source/Hawker_Audax) trainer bi-plane and reassembled it inside their facilities, which was used for training. They also trained at [RAF Dalcross](/source/Inverness_Airport) and [RAF Inverness](/source/RAF_Inverness)[4] using [Airspeed Oxfords](/source/Airspeed_Oxford), [de Havilland Gypsy Moths](/source/De_Havilland_Gypsy_Moth), [Dragon Rapide](/source/De_Havilland_Dragon_Rapide) biplanes and [Boulton Paul Defiants](/source/Boulton_Paul_Defiant).[4]

In October 1941, Sutherland enlisted with the RAF in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh). After [reporting for duty](/source/Muster_(military)) at London's [Lord's Cricket Ground](/source/Lord's), he went to No. 17 Initial Training Wing at [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough,_North_Yorkshire) and [No. 1 Radio School RAF](/source/No._1_Radio_School_RAF) to receive aircrew training. In November 1943, he completed his [wireless operator](/source/Wireless_operator) qualification. This led to advanced training in Canada under the [British Commonwealth Air Training Plan](/source/British_Commonwealth_Air_Training_Plan) scheme at [RCAF Station Port Albert](/source/RCAF_Station_Port_Albert). He was a radio operator at [RAF Nutts Corner](/source/RAF_Nutts_Corner) in Northern Ireland, working in [Avro Ansons](/source/Avro_Anson) with [Coastal Command](/source/Coastal_Command).[4]

He became a [bombardier](/source/Bombardier_(aircrew))/[radio operator](/source/Radio_operator) with 14 Operational Training Unit flying [Vickers Wellingtons](/source/Vickers_Wellington). He was then assigned to [Avro Lancaster](/source/Avro_Lancaster) [heavy bombers](/source/Heavy_bomber) in [Bomber Command](/source/RAF_Bomber_Command_aircrew_of_World_War_II), flying ten bombing raids over Germany with No 5 Group.[1][4][5] In May 1945, after [VE Day](/source/VE_Day), Sutherland performed in London for the RAF at a celebratory Aquacade swimming show to music. His scheduled assignment to the Far East was rescinded when the [Japanese Empire](/source/Japanese_Empire) surrendered at the conclusion of the war.[4] He was reassigned to conduct RAF flight trainings and deliver bombers to scrapyards. In 1946, he was discharged from the RAF.[4] He received the 1st Class Good Conduct Badge.[2]

## Post war civilian life

After leaving the military, Sutherland returned to Inverness and worked as an assistant [librarian](/source/Librarian).[1] In 1975, upon a local government reorganisation, Sutherland was transferred to employment at the housing department for the Inverness District.[4] He coached a team at the Inverness [Swimming](/source/Swimming_(sport)) Club, participating in competitive [water polo](/source/Water_polo).[4][3] Sutherland competed in swimming competitions into his late 80s,[2][6] garnering several [gold medals](/source/Gold_medal) in the veteran sections meets,[7] including two [Masters swimming](/source/Masters_swimming) gold medals in 2007. In 1989, he was awarded the Inverness Sports Personality award, in the senior category, for services to swimming.[1] In 2008, a life membership to [Scottish Swimming](/source/Scottish_Swimming) was conferred.[2] In 2009, Sutherland was made a Member of the Most Excellent [Order of the British Empire](/source/Order_of_the_British_Empire) for his work in the sport.[2][7][8]

He was a [hillwalker](/source/Hillwalking) and [mountaineer](/source/Mountaineering), climbed [Mont Blanc](/source/Mont_Blanc),[1] and was a founder of the Inverness Mountaineering Club.[2][4] He became an expert on the [Cuillins](/source/Cuillins), [Cairngorms](/source/Cairngorms), and [Glen Affric](/source/Glen_Affric)'s hills and was custodian of the [bothy](/source/Bothy) at Shenavall, below the [An Teallach](/source/An_Teallach) [massif](/source/Massif). He was a county librarian and taught children competitive swimming skills.[2] In 2002, he carried the [Commonwealth Games baton](/source/2002_Commonwealth_Games#Queen's_Jubilee_Baton_Relay). In 2007, he received gold medals at Masters swimming in Manchester.[4] In 2007, he was awarded the [BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year](/source/BBC_Scotland_Sports_Personality_of_the_Year)'s Unsung Hero Award.[1] [Inverness Leisure](/source/High_Life_Highland) named an executive room in his honour.[2][7] He participated in the procession of the Riding of the Scottish Parliament.[2][4]

The British Government chose not to strike [campaign medals](/source/Campaign_medals) for Bomber Command because of the civilian deaths during the 1945 [Bombing of Dresden](/source/Bombing_of_Dresden). In 1984 the Air Marshal [Arthur "Bomber" Harris](/source/Sir_Arthur_Harris,_1st_Baronet)'s widow led the failed effort to create belated [commemorative medals](/source/Commemorative_medal) for members of Bomber Command for their contribution to World War II.[4][8] While recognizing the bombing was brutal and relentless as the war in Europe came to a close, Sutherland said it was necessary.[4] He taught children about the history of the RAF. He showed them his personal memorabilia, including his [flight suit](/source/Flight_suit) and a [swastika flag](/source/Flag_of_Nazi_Germany) received from a former [prisoner of war](/source/Prisoner_of_war) Sutherland helped after release.[4][8] In 2012, he attended the unveiling of the [RAF Bomber Command Memorial](/source/RAF_Bomber_Command_Memorial). Sutherland placed a message to his fallen compatriots within.[2] He was a recipient of the Bomber Command clasp.[4]

## Personal life

Sutherland met his wife, Rhonda () at a dance in 1951, and they were wed the following year.[1] They had two sons and ran a [bed and breakfast](/source/Bed_and_breakfast).[1][4]

On 16 April 2014, Sutherland died following a period of illness. His funeral was at the Huntly Street [Methodist Church](/source/Methodist_Church). Air Cadets of the Inverness 161 Squadron in Inverness acted as an [honour guard](/source/Honour_guard) during the ceremony.[2]

## References

### Citations

1. Laing, Allan (3 May 2014). ["Alexander Ross-Sutherland"](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-herald-1130/20140503/282278138342080). *[The Herald](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. Retrieved 26 April 2021.

1. Patterson, Laura (28 April 2014). ["RAF Veteran Inspired Many to Sporting Prowess"](https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-press-and-journal-inverness-highlands-and-islands/20140428/282351152779093). *[The Press and Journal](/source/The_Press_and_Journal_(Scotland))*. Retrieved 2 April 2021.

1. ["Alexander Ross Sutherland"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13158592.alexander-ross-sutherland/). *[The Herald](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. 2 May 2014.

1. Shaw, Allison & The Newsroom (3 May 2014). ["Obituary: Alec Sutherland MBE, Bomber Command veteran BORN: 19 August, 1922, in Inverness. Died: 16 April, 2014, in Inverness, aged 91"](https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-alec-sutherland-mbe-bomber-command-veteran-1538095). *[The Scotsman](/source/The_Scotsman)*

1. ["Alexander Ross Sutherland Second World War veteran. Born: August 19, 1922; Died: April 16, 2014."](http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/obituaries/13158592.Alexander_Ross_Sutherland/). *[The Herald](/source/The_Herald_(Glasgow))*. Herald & Times Group. 2 May 2014.

1. ["Swim-veteran to appear in BBCs Sports Gala Night"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160921140333/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Swim-veteran-to-appear-in-BBCs-sports-gala-night-8068.htm). *[Inverness Courier](/source/Inverness_Courier)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Swim-veteran-to-appear-in-BBCs-sports-gala-night-8068.htm) on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016. (subscription required)

1. ["North's leading lights honoured"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7804842.stm). [BBC News](/source/BBC_News). 31 December 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2021. ... Alex Sutherland for voluntary services to swimming in Inverness. ... Inverness Leisure renamed its refurbished boardroom after 85-year-old Mr Sutherland.

1. ["Belated Honour for Bomber Command Veteran"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160826073216/http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Belated-honour-for-Bomber-Command-veteran-8352.htm). *Inverness Courier, Highland News*. 11 November 2010. Archived from [the original](http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Belated-honour-for-Bomber-Command-veteran-8352.htm) on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.

## Further reading

- Moyes, Philip J. R. (1976). Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and Their Aircraft (2nd ed.). London: [Macdonald and Jane's](/source/Jane's_Information_Group). ISBN 978-0-354-01027-6.
- Otter, Patrick (1996). Lincolnshire Airfields in the Second World War. Newbury: Hushion House, Countryside Books. ISBN 978-1-85306-424-1.
- Pine, L.G. (1983). A Dictionary of Mottoes (1st ed.). London: [Routledge & Kegan Paul](/source/Routledge_%26_Kegan_Paul). ISBN 978-0-7100-9339-4
- Ward, Chris (2007). 5 Group Bomber Command: An Operational Record. London: [Pen & Sword Aviation](/source/Pen_%26_Sword_Aviation). ISBN 978-1-84415-579-8.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alec Sutherland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Sutherland) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alec_Sutherland?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.