A WAR hero from Knighton is finally to get recognition in his old school at Presteigne in the form of a memorial plaque.
Jack Hamar was a well loved and respected young man within the Knighton community. He attended the John Beddoes School at Presteigne and after leaving he went to work in the family business.
Jack loved car and motorcycle racing and it was no surprise, that in 1938 he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. In 1939 with war declared Jack was drafted into the RAF and posted to 151 Squadron.
He left for France in the spring of 1940 where he scored four victories and after the fall of France he returned to England with his squadron.
In July there were two events on successive days that would give the Knighton community great pride and then bitter sadness and grief.
On July 23, 1940 Jack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross but on July 24, Jack and other pilots from 151 Squadron took off from North Weald in bad weather to identify an airplane seen in the Felixstowe area.
Jack and his colleagues returned to base but just as Jack was about to land, as a result of a manoeuvre, his plane stalled and crashed – fatally injuring Jack.
Jack was buried at Knighton Cemetery on July 28 – it was an occasion that brought Knighton to a standstill as the community, in deep shock, paid its respects to a local man who had given his life for his country.
Due to the hard-work and research by the Battle of Britain Historical Society, on Tuesday, June 21, at Presteigne John Beddoes School a memorial plaque is to be presented by the High Sheriff of Powys, Colonel John Brunt.
Glyn Richards, headteacher at John Beddoes, said: “It’s been a long process but it is great that the Historical Society are recognising a former pupil who sadly lost his life during the Battle of Britain.
“It brings back real life history for the students, and it brings history to their doorstep. We are very much looking forward to the day, and would like to thank the Historical Society.”
The ceremony will be attended by relatives of Jack Hamar who will travel from various parts of Britain to be there. In attendance will also be local dignitaries and politicians as well as representative of the RAF Association, the Knighton Chamber of Trade, and friends who remember Jack as a young man in the area.