Flying Officer John Valentine Stuart Duncan (1922–1943) was the only son of Captain Charles Henry Stuart Duncan ARAM and Gladys May Duncan of Joppa, Edinburgh.

Born on 29 November 1922, he was educated at Loretto Junior School, the Edinburgh Institution, George Watson’s College, and later the University of Edinburgh, where he studied Civil Engineering.

While at university, he joined the University Air Squadron and entered the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940. Duncan trained as a pilot at the Riddle-McKay Aero College in Florida, USA, graduating with honours as a fighter pilot. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in March 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer in October of the same year.

By 1943, Duncan was serving with No. 170 Squadron RAF, flying North American Mustang aircraft on training and operational duties.

On 30 May 1943, while returning from an armament training flight in Mustang Mk I AM108, he encountered difficult crosswind conditions during landing at Weston Zoyland airfield. After attempting to go around, his aircraft struck an unburied fuel tank on the unfinished airfield, crashed, and caught fire.

The accident was attributed to the gusty crosswind and hazardous airfield conditions. Remembered fondly by those who trained with him in America, Duncan was buried in Harrow Cemetery, Middlesex, following his death at the age of 20.

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