Royal Air Force Officers 1939
J.N. Houterman
Bader,

[Sir] Douglas Robert Steuart

Second son of Frederick Roberts Bader (1869?-1922), Maj. IARO, VD, IES, and Jessie Scott-Mackenzie (1876-) [she remarried (1922) Ernest W. Hobbs].

Married 1st (05.10.1933, Hampstead register office; formal marriage 05.10.1937, St Mary Abbots church, Kensington) Olive Thelma Exley

Edwards (18.12.1907 - 24.01.1971), daughter of Lt.Col. Ivo Arthyr Exley Edwards (1881-1947), RAF (retired), and Olive Maude Amy Donaldson (1885?-1957) [she remarried (1919) Arthur M. Addison]; no children.

Married 2nd (03.01.1973) Mrs Joan Eileen Murray, daughter of Horace Hipkiss. 21.02.1910

St John's Wood, Marylebone, London

-

05.09.1982

London

P/O 26.07.1930 [26151] F/O 06.06.1932 (retd 30.04.1933; ill-health) (A?) F/Lt. 04.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 24.09.1940 (A) Sq.Ldr. 24.06.1940 (A) W/Cdr. 03.1941 (T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1945 (WS) W/Cdr. 01.12.1945 (A?) Gp.Capt. 06.1945 (retd 21.07.1946)

Kt 12.06.1976 HM's birthday; for services to disabled people CBE 02.01.1956 New Year 56; for services to the disabled DSO 01.10.1940 * DSO 15.07.1941 ** DFC 07.01.1941 *** DFC 09.09.1941 **** 39|45 St - & clasp Battle of Britain AirEur St - & clasp Atlantic Def M - - WM 39|45 - - MID 01.01.1941 ? MID 17.03.1941 ? MID 31.01.1947 ? LegH ? ? CdeG ? ?

* This officer has displayed gallantry and leadership of the highest order. During three recent engagements he has led his squadron with such skill and ability that thirty-three enemy aircraft have been destroyed. In the course of these engagements Squadron Leader Bader has added to his previous successes by destroying six enemy aircraft.

** This officer has led his wing on a series of consistently successful sorties over enemy territory during the past three months. His high qualities of leadership and courage have been an inspiration to all. Wing Commander Bader has destroyed 15 hostile aircraft.

*** Squadron Leader Bader has continued to lead his squadron and wing with the utmost gallantry on all occasions. He has now destroyed a total of ten hostile aircraft and damaged several more.

**** This fearless pilot has recently added a further four enemy aircraft to his previous successes; in addition he has probably destroyed another four and damaged five hostile aircraft. By his fine leadership and high courage Wing Commander Bader has inspired the wing on every occasion. Education: St Edward's School, Oxford (won a prize cadetship to the RAF); RAF College, Cranwell.

26.07.1930 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) pilot, 23 (Fighter) Squadron RAF (Kenley) 14.12.1931 lost both legs in flying accident when he crashed on Woodley airfield 31.10.1932 Station HQ, RAF Duxford Joined Asiatic Petroleum Co. Ltd, 1933. 26.11.1939 - 21.07.1946 recalled to active service: 26.11.1939 - 06.02.1940 Central Flying School & refresher course 07.02.1940 - 04.1940 19 Squadron RAF (Duxford) 04.1940 - 23.06.1940 Flight Commander, A Flight, 222 Squadron (Duxford) 24.06.1940 - 03.1941 Commanding Officer, 242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF (Coltishall, Norfolk) 03.1941 - 09.08.1941 Wing Leader, 12 Group Wing (Tangmere, Sussex) 09.08.1941 - 15.04.1945 captured after collision with enemy aircraft over Bethune; released by American 1st Army from Colditz, near Leipzig 09?.1945 - 03.1946 took command of first the Fighter Leaders School, and then the North Weald fighter sector

11.07.1940

30.08.1940

15.09.1940

27.09.1940

23 victories:

1 Do 17

½ Bf 110

½ Do 17

1 Bf 109

Rejoined Shell Petroleum Co. (late Asiatic Petroleum Co.) [got civil aviator's licence No. 21386 at 03.07.1946 after having qualified with 300 flying hours in the RAF]; Managing Director, Shell Aircraft Ltd, 1958-69, retd. Led first post-war Battle of Britain fly­past, 15 September 1945. Member, Civil Aviation Authority, 1972-78; Chairman, Flight Time Limitations Board, 1974-78.

FRAeS 1976. Hon. DSc New Univ. of Ulster, 1976. DL Greater London, 1977.

Published: Fight for the sky : the story of the Spitfire and the Hurricane (1973)

Literature: Paul Brickhill, Reach for the sky : the story of Douglas Bader, DSO, DFC (1954); Laddie Lucas, Flying colours : the epic story of Douglas Bader (1981); Robert Jackson, Douglas Bader : a biography (1983); John Frayn Turner, The Bader tapes (1986); Michael G. Burns, Bader: the man and his men (1998); John Frayn Turner, Douglas Bader : a biography of the legendary World War II fighter pilot (2001); John Frayn Turner, The Bader wing (2007); S.P. Mackenzie, Bader's war (2008). Bain,

Richard Erskine

26.10.1900

Mercara, Coorg, South India

-

31.12.1978

Poole district, Dorset (formerly of Ringwood, Hampshire)

F/Lt.

? [17074]

Sq.Ldr.

01.10.1936

(T) W/Cdr.

01.01.1940

(WS) W/Cdr.

01.11.1942

W/Cdr.

01.07.1947

(T) Gp.Capt. 01.01.1944-01.11.1947 (retd 01.07.1950)

13.11.1922

first commission

(01.1939)

-

late 1939

Commanding Officer, 43 Squadron RAF (Tangmere)

Baker,

Abel

Son (with one younger brother) of Abel Baker (1899-1962), and Doris Elsie Palmer (1903-1961), of Cardiff. 18.10.1921

Cardiff, Glamorganshire

-

21.02.1945

(MPK) [age 23]

[Runnymede Memorial, panel 625]

Aircraft Hand/Flight Mechanic 31.01.1939 [632725] Acm. 2nd cl. 31.12.1939 Ldg.Acm. 31.12.1940 P/O (prob) 17.07.1942 [49264] (WS) F/O (prob) 17.01.1943 (WS) F/O 1943, seniority 17.01.1943 (WS) F/Lt. 17.07.1944

Machine operator, B.S.A. Co., Small Heathe, 06.1938-01.1939.

03.09.1939 - 16.07.1942 served in the ranks for 2 years, 316 days 17.07.1942 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] 17.02.1942 - 23.11.1943 No. 33 Service Flying Training School RAF (Canada) 24.11.1943 - 17.01.1944 No. 7 Personnel Reception Centre RAF (54 Group RAF) 18.01.1944 - 01.01.1945 1674 Conversion Unit RAF, from 16.11.1944 1674 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF (17 Group RAF) 02.01.1945 - 21.02.1945 pilot, 58 Squadron RAF (18 Group RAF) (Stornoway, Isle of Lewis)

[Halifax Mk. II JP173 (BY-H) took off 19:00 hrs for an anti-shipping patrol over the Skagerrak. The aircraft went missing. Crew of nine was missing, presumed killed.]

Baker,

Ernest Reginald

"Reg(gie)"

Son of William and Eliza Baker.

Married (28.09.1940, Portsdown, Hampshire) Norma E.M. Snelling (born 1920), of Bedhampton, Hampshire, England; one daughter, one son. 30.03.1914

Doncaster, Yorkshire -

16.06.1944

(KIA) [age 30]

[Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, France, XIII.H.11]

(A) P/O (prob)

07.05.1938 [40660]

F/O

17.08.1940

(WS) F/Lt.

17.08.1941

(A) Sq.Ldr.

08.1942?

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.07.1943

(WS) Sq.Ldr.

02.04.1944

(A) W/Cdr. 05.12.1943?

DSO

21.11.1944

* [with effect from 15.06.1944] (posthumously) [investiture next-of-kin 20.02.45]

DFC

22.11.1940

U-boat attack 16.08.40 &tc. [investiture 03.03.41]

DFC

01.10.1943

recent operations 08-09.43

* Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross in August 1943, this officer has led a large number of fighter bomber attacks against enemy shipping and constructional targets and has personally destroyed three enemy aircraft. In October 1943, Wing Commander Baker carried out a hazardous attack at point blank range on enemy shipping under heavy fire, to score a direct hit. By his outstanding leadership, courage, and determination, he has set a splendid example to his officers and men.

07.05.1938

first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

17.01.1942

transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for Air Force service)

(1939)

-

30.05.1942

210 Squadron RAF

04.1941

-

12.1941

seconded for a specialist navigation course (Ottawa, Ont., Canada), but was on arrival diverted to ferrying between Bermuda and England; 08.1941 back in the UK, but then off again to Canada for his course (15.09-26.12.1941)

31.05.1942

-

28.07.1942

240 Squadron RAF (on his way to India crashed at Malta; wounded)

07.1942

-

09.1942

hospitalized, then temporary Chief Navigation Officer at HQ Malta

02.09.1942

No 1 Depot RAF, UK (pending repatriation)

09.1942

-

10.1942

possibly serving with 263 Squadron RAF

06.10.1942

HQ No. 9 Group RAF (for navigational duties)

05.11.1942

HQ Fighter Command (for navigational duties)

29.12.1942

refresher course, 59 Operational Training Unit (Millfield, Northumberland)

11.02.1943

182 Squadron RAF (Martlesham Heath, Suffolk, from 05.04.1943 Fairlop, from 29.04.1943 Lasham) (wounded 13.05.1943, in hospital till 27.05.1943)

15.06.1943

Commanding Officer, 263 Squadron RAF (Warmwell, Dorset; 19.06.1943 Zeals, Wiltshire; 12.07.1943 Warmwell; 07.09.1943 Manston, Kent; 10.09.1943 Warmwell)

05.12.1943

Wing Commander (Flying) Colerne and taken by Oxford to Fighter Leaders Course Ashton Down

01.1944

-

16.06.1944

Wing Commander (Flying) 193 Squadron (Harrowbeer), 01.02.1944 redesignated: Commander Flying of No. 146 Airfield (11.05.1944 redesignated No. 146 Wing)

[crashed near St. Mauvieu, France]

Honorary Freedom of Doncaster, 30.06.1941.

Baker,

Henry Moore

Son of Harry Baker, and Julia Marion Baker (née ...).

Married ((06?).1935, Lambeth district, London) Nell May Manchip (29.05.1909 - 18.02.2000), daughter of Thomas Alexander Manchip (1872-1960), and Ann Bird (1877-1954); two sons, three daughters. 14.08.1902

Camberwell, London / Surrey

-

15.09.1987

Chippenham district, Wiltshire

F/Sgt. ? [343924] (T) Wt.Offr. ? F/O (prob) 07.03.1940 [43457] (WS) F/Lt. 19.10.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 03.12.1946, seniority 01.07.1943 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 06.03.1943 (WS) W/Cdr. 12.12.1944 Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1947, seniority 01.09.1945 W/Cdr. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.07.1947 (retd 21.04.1954; own request; retaining rank of Gp.Capt.)

BEM 09.06.1938 for meritious service

07.03.1940 commissioned, RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission to 31.12.1946] (03.1945) HQ RAF Bengal/Burma (1946?). RAF Station Hawkinge 01.01.1947 permanent commission, RAF (Secretarial Branch) (1948) RAF Station Mount Batten (1952?) RAF Station Insworth (1954?) HQ 23 Group RAF

Baker,

Thomas Herbert

"Tom"

16.08.1913

Deolali, Bombay, India -

09.03.2006

[Grantham ?], Suffolk

Sgt.

? [563032]

P/O (prob)

18.04.1941, seniority 09.04.1941 [45552]

(A) F/O

(1941)

(WS) F/O

22.01.1942

(WS) F/Lt.

22.01.1943

F/Lt.

01.07.1946, seniority 01.01.1943

Sq.Ldr. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.08.1947

W/Cdr.

01.01.1955 (retd 28.01.1958)

DFC 12.09.1941 raid on Knapsack power station 12.08.41 DFM 24.12.1940 ? MID 12.1941 ?

Education: Portsmouth and Lancaster Grammar Schools

01.1921

joined RAF at Halton as an Aircraft Apprentice

1939

observer, 90 Squadron RAF

07.1940

observer, 107 Squadron RAF (Wattisham, Suffolk)

18.04.1941

first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission to 30.06.1946]

04.1941

-

17.04.1942

observer (later instructor & bombing leader), 114 Squadron RAF (Norfolk)

[taken off 21.36 hrs 17.04.1942 in Blenheim Z7430 RT-Q from West Raynham for an Intruder operation to Schiphol Airport (The Netherlands); damaged by light Flak and crash-landed 23.22 hrs at Aalsmeer; wounded & captured] 17.04.1942

-

29.04.1945

POW in German captivity at Stalag Luft III (Sagan), from 02.1945 Stalag Luft VIIID (Nuremburg)

01.07.1946

permanent commission

...

-

...

...

Baker,

William

"Bill"

Son (with three brothers and two sisters) of Henry Edward Baker (1883-1933), and Rose Mary Watson (1883-1957). Married ((12?).1942, North Buckinghamshire) Joan Oswald Smith (22.11.1920 - 16.12.2012), daughter (with one brother) of Oswald Fairbanks Smith (1881-1942), and Muriel Edith Hastings (1887-1961); two sons, one daughter. Joan Baker remarried (1957) John H. Biddell. (03?).1920

Canterbury, Kent

-

(12?).1955

Warwick district, Warwickshire

Ldg.Acm. ? [550715] P/O (prob) 21.02.1940 [43159] (WS) F/O 21.02.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 21.02.1942 (A) Sq.Ldr. ?

DFC 08.12.1944 ? DFC 06.11.1945 ?

21.02.1940 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] 06.1944 - (1945) 105 Squadron RAF (DFC and Bar)

A son writes: "My father joined the RAF as a boy entrant (about 1935?), he was aircrew (gunnner in bombers} during the early part of WW2 and was sent for pilot training to Canada. He joined 105 Squadron at Bourn in June 1944 as a Fl/Lt and was promoted to acting Sq/Ldr and awarded the pathfinder badge and DFC and Bar. Most of his operational flying in Mosquitos was accompanied by F/O Lewis as observer. He survived some 95 Operations. I have his log books. His wife (then Joan Smith), my mother, served at Bletchley Park until she and my father married. After the war we lived at Sutton Coldfield and latterly Leamington Spa until Bill’s untimely and sad death." Baldwin,

Sir John Eustace Arthur

"Jack"

Eldest son of late J.H.L. Baldwin. Married Kathleen Betsy, youngest daughter of T.W.L. Terry, York; one daughter.

see: www.rafweb.org 13.04.1892

-

28.07.1975

...

...

(A) Air Marshal (retd) 10.10.1942

Education: Rugby; Royal Military College, Sandhurst

28.08.1939

-

14.09.1942

Air Officer Commanding, No. 3 Group RAF

09.01.1942

-

21.02.1942

Acting Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command

09.10.1942

-

1943

Deputy Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, India

16.11.1943

-

1944

Air Officer Commanding, 3rd Tactical Air Force

Colonel, 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, 01.01.1948-24.10.1958. Deputy Colonel, Queen's Royal Irish Hussars, 24.10.1958-1960.

OStJ, 24.06.1952. CStJ, 01.07.1955. KStJ, 03.07.1962.

Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Lincoln, 06.11.1945. Justice of the Peace (JP), Rutland. Sheriff, Rutland, 12.11.1952. High Sheriff, Rutland, 17.03.1955.

Balean,

Peter Bradford

25.08.1920 -

1996

[Saint Andrew Churchyard

Cranwell, Lincolnshire]

P/O

23.12.1939 [33531]

...

...

Sq.Ldr.

01.08.1947 (retd 12.06.1950)

23.12.1939

first commission RAF (General Duties Branch)

Ballantyne,

Gordon Arthur

Eldest son of late John Alexander and Ida Ballantyne.

Married 1st (1925) Brenda Muriel, daughter of Rev. Bernard Cuzner; one daughter.

Married 2nd (1945) Rachel Mary, elder daughter of late Francis Reid Brown.

12.02.1900

Wandsworth, London

-

07.11.1981

Canterbury, Kent

RNAS:

(P) F/O

1917

Army:

2nd Lt.

?

(T) Lt.

01.01.1924

Lt.

28.08.1924

Capt.

01.07.1927 (retd 05.01.1929)

Capt.

02.09.1929, seniority 25.02.1928

RAF:

(T) F/O [?]

1918 [23096]

(T) F/O

01.01.1924

(T) F/Lt.

?

F/Lt.

01.07.1930

Sq.Ldr.

28.08.1934

W/Cdr.

01.07.1937

(A) Gp.Capt.

1941

(T) Gp.Capt.

01.03.1942

Gp.Capt.

01.06.1943

(A) A/Cdre.

1943

(T) A/Cdre. 1944

A/Cdre.

01.09.1947, seniority 01.07.1947

Air Vice-Marshal

01.10.1952 (retd 01.01.1955)

CBE

14.06.1945

HM's birthday 45 DFC

1918

?

Education: King's College School; London Hospital

1917

Probationary Flight Officer, Royal Naval Air Service

1917

-

1918

served in France with No 8 Squadron, RFC (France & Belgium; wounded)

01.04.1918

first commission RAF

11.09.1919

transferred to the unemployed list

1923

qualified as Dental Surgeon (LDS, RCS), General List, Army

01.01.1924

temporary commission RAF (Medical Branch) [on attachment to the RAF]

1924

Lieutenant, Army Dental Corps

05.09.1927

-

05.01.1929

returned to Army duty (resigned comission)

02.09.1929

-

01.07.1930

served again in the Army Dental Corps

01.07.1930

permanent commission, RAF (Dental Branch)

1935

Senior Dental Officer, Iraq

1938

Inspecting Dental Officer, Home Commands

1941

Training Officer (Dental)

01.06.1943

-

(04.)1954

Director of Dental Services, Directorate- General of RAF Medical Services, Air Ministry

FDSRCS; FDSRCS (Edin.)

Honorary Dental Surgeon to King George VI, 13.04.1945-10.06.1952 & to Queen Elizabeth II, 10.06.1952-01.01.1955. Member Board of Faculty of Dental Surgery of Royal College of Surgeons of England, 1947-53; Honorary member, British Dental Association; Honorary President Armed Forces Commission, Federation Dentaire Internationale, 1953; Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen, 1952-54.

Published: various professional papers

Balsdon,

Denys Finlay

"Jimmy" / "Charles"

Youngest son of the late Robert Percy Balsdon (1874-1920), and of Mabel Olive Finlay (1874-1959), of St Aubines, Sturry, nr Canterbury, Kent.

Engaged (04.1939) Hilda Olive Myers, daughter of Mr & Mrs W.T. Myers, of London SW6.

Married ((09?.)1939, Inch district, Wigtownshire) Phyllis Mary Ralston Adair (died 1991), of Portpatrick, younger daughter of Mr & Mrs Percy John Adair, of North West Castle, Stranraer, Wigtownshire. She re-married (02.04.1947, Portpatrick) Capt. George Cleland Gourlay, KOSB. (06?).1913

Great Torrington, Devon -

18.12.1941

(KIA) [age 28][Portpatrick Cemetery, Wigtownshire, A.206]

(A) P/O (prob) 06.06.1933 [34065] P/O 06.06.1934 F/O 06.05.1936 F/Lt. 06.03.1938 Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1940 (A) W/Cdr. 1941? (T) W/Cdr. 01.09.1941

MID 24.09.1941 ?

Service and International Hockey Player.

06.06.1933 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 23.06.1933 - 06.1934 flying training, No. 4 Flying Training School RAF (Abu Sueir, Egypt) 29.06.1934 - 05.1937 70 (Bomber Transport) Squadron RAF (Hinaidi, Iraq) 31.05.1937 - 12.1938 No. 6 Armament Training Camp RAF (Woodsford) 12.1938 - ? joined an anti-aircraft co-operation unit working with the Army late 1940 - 1941 "A" Flight Commander, 214 Squadron RAF 1941? transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers ? - 18.12.1941 Commanding Officer, 97 Squadron RAF

[Returning in a Manchester I (L7490 OF-U) from a daylight attack on the Gneisenau in the port of Brest, Balsdon's aircraft, a Halifax, which had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire over the target, crashed on landing at Coningsby and the whole crew were killed. From the Operations Record Book: "On reaching home base, the visibility being bad, overshot the aerodrome and on opening up the engines to apparently circle round again, the aircraft stalled and crashed, killing all the crew. The aircraft was completely burnt. The aircraft had been seen to be hit by flak over the target, smashing the tailplane and elevator, the rear turret also being put out of action. The rear gunner was a casualty. W/C Balsdon having signalled for the ambulance to be ready on landing. W/C Balsdon led the formation to the target and back to the English coast and then gave over command to S/L Sherwood DFC owing to damage caused by flak."]

Bandon,

5th Earl of, cr. 1880, succ. 1924;

Baron Bandon, cr. 1793;

Viscount Bandon, cr. 1795;

Viscount Bernard, cr. 1800;

Bernard, Percy Ronald Gardner

Son of late Lt­Col Ronald P. H. Bernard and Lettice Mina, younger daughter of late Captain Gerald C. S. Paget (she married 2nd, late Hon. Charles C. J. Littleton, DSO); married 1st, 1933, Elizabeth

(marr. diss., 1946; she married 1965, Sir Reginald Holcroft, 2nd Bt, TD), 2nd daughter of R. W. Playfair; two daughters; 2nd, 1946, Lois White, daughter of Francis Russell, Victoria, Australia. 30.08.1904

-

08.02.1979

[Bandon, Co. Cork ?]

P/O

17.12.1924 [16145]

Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1936

Air Chief Marshal

01.07.1959 (retd 06.02.1964)

GBE 1961 ? KBE 01.01.1957 ? CB 05.07.1945 ? CVO 1953 ? DSO 30.07.1940 ? MID 01.01.1941 ? MID 01.01.1943 ? MID 01.01.1945 ? DFC(US) 20.12.1946 ?

Education: Wellington; RAF College, Cranwell (psa); RAF Staff College (1938); Imperial Defence College (idc, 1949)

1939 - 1940 commanded No 82 Squadron 1941 - 1942 commanded RAF Station, West Raynham 1945 AOC No 224 Group, South­East Asia (despatches thrice, US DFC and Bronze Star) 1945 - 1948 Commandant, ROC 1950 - 1951 AOC No 2 Group, BAFO, Germany 1951 - 1953 AOC No 11 Group 01.10.1953 - 12.1955 Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training), Air Ministry 1955 - 1957 Commander-in-Chief, 2nd Tactical Air Force, and Comdr, 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force 1957 - 1960 Commander-in-Chief, Far East Air Force 1961 - 1963 Commander, Allied Air Forces, Central Europe

Bardega,

Benjamin (also known as Bernard)

"Ben"

Son (with one sister) of Marks Bardega (1885-1956), and Esther Charkoff (1894-1965).

Married (30.09.1940, Hendon Register Office, Middlesex) Joan Doris Davis; three sons. Joan Doris Bardega remarried (1960) W/Cdr. Harry George Currell, MVO, DFC, AFC (1923-1981). 10.04.1920

Whitechapel, East London

-

25.05.1958

RAF Hospital Cosford, Wellington district, Shropshire

(T) F/Sgt. ? [580633] P/O (prob) 12.07.1941 [46170] ... ... Sq.Ldr. RAF 01.01.1951

DFM 09.1940 ?

Barham,

Harold John

Son of Joseph Barham, and ... Hill.

Married (12.01.1941, Wycombe district, Buckinghamshire) Joan K. Philby-Tilbury; two sons. 31.05.1917

Wandsworth district, London

-

12.06.1974

Romford, Havering district, Greater London

[buried at Montreal, Quebec, Canada]

Sgt. ? [520300] (A) P/O (prob) 28.01.1943 [50832] P/O (prob) 03.06.1943 (WS) F/O (prob) 03.12.1943

28.01.1943 commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission] may have served in Norway, Felixstowe & Horsham

Barling,

Leslie Clement

Son of Percy Clement Barling and Julia Bertwell; married 1st Claudia E.T. Phillips (02.1939); married 2nd Katherine Yvonne Beith or Clifford-Turner; one son. 13.12.1901

Chertsey

-

08.04.1984

Cheltenham

Sq.Ldr. RAFO

12.09.1939

1930

-

?

24 Squadron

Barnett,

Reginald James William

Only son of Mr and Mrs W. Barnett, formerly from Dover and Capel.

Married (19.05.1936, Southsea) Diana Mary Allan (born 27.07.1913, Reigate, Surrey) [her elder sister married F/Lt. J.F.L. Zorn, RAFO]; three children.

(03?).1909Dover district, Kent

-

15.02.1943

(flying accident at Asmara airport) [age 33]

[Asmara War Cemetery, Eritrea, 3.D.3]

P/O (prob)

11.04.1930 [29057]

P/O

11.04.1931

F/O

13.10.1931

F/Lt. 01.02.1936

Education: Godwynhurst College, Dover

Secretary of the Dover Motor Cycle Club.

11.04.1930

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

11.04.1936

transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class A); joined Imperial Airways, flying in Africa since 1940

Engaged as as a pilot by Portsmouth, Southsea, and Isle of Wight Aviation, then joined Imperial Airways. 10.1937 posted to Empire Flying boat Operations as 1st Officer. Two years later transferred for a short time to European Landplanes. 09.1940 posted to Durban South Africa, taking part in the delivery flight of Coo-ee to South Africa via West Africa . Served on the horseshoe route for a year then posted to the Trans-African service.

did not actually serve in the RAF in World War II, but borne on the Oct 1940 Air Force List; died as a Captain with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) [for details see "personal touch" button]

Barraclough,

[Sir] John

Son of late Horatio and Marguerite Maude Barraclough.

Married (1946) Maureen (née McCormack) (died 2001), niece of George Noble, Count Plunkett; one daughter.

02.05.1918

Hounslow, Middlesex

-

10.05.2008

(A) P/O (prob)

07.05.1938 [40662]

F/O

?

(WS) F/Lt.

12.08.1941

(T) Sq.Ldr.

03.12.1946, seniority 01.07.1943

Sq.Ldr.

01.09.1945

(A) W/Cdr. (1945)

Air Vice Marshal

1964

Air Marshal

1970

Air Chief Marshal

03.09.1973 (retd 03.04.1976)

KCB

1970

?

CB

1969

?

CBE

1961

?

DFC

16.02.1943

?

AFC

1941

?

MID

?

?

MID

01.01.1946

?

Education: Cranbrook School; FRAes, FRSA

1935

-

1938

Artists' Rifles

07.05.1938

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch)

269 Squadron RAF (Abbotsinch, near Glasgow) (flew Ansons)

1940

240 Squadron RAF (Shetland Islands) (flying boats)

chief instructor of the Flying Boat Conversion Unit at Invergordon (AFC)

02.1942

-

1943

209 Squadron RAF (Indian Ocean)

1943

-

1944

Commanding Officer, RAF Mogadishu

05.1944

chief instructor at a flying-boat training unit

1948

-

1951

examining wing, Central Flying School

1952

-

1954

staff, Imperial Defence College

1954

-

1956

Commander, RAF Station, Biggin Hill

1956

-

1958

Commander, RAF Station, Middleton St George (1957 first single-engine jet flight to South Africa)

1958

-

1961

Group Captain Operations, Far East Air Forces

1961

-

1964

Director of Public Relations, Air Ministry

1964

-

1967

Air Officer Commanding 19 Group, Coastal Command, RAF and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Air Commander, Central Sub-Area, Eastern Atlantic Command

1967

Harvard Business School

1967

-

1968

Air Officer in charge of Administration, Bomber Command, RAF

1968

-

1970

Air Officer in charge of Administration, Strike Command, RAF

1970

-

1972

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence

1972

-

1974

Air Secretary, Air Ministry

1974

-

1976

Commandant, Royal College of Defence Studies

Member, RAF Training and Education Advisory Board 1976-1979; Vice Chairman, Air League Council 1977-1981; Chairman, Royal United Services Institute Council 1977-1980; Editorial Director then Vice Chairman, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Sixteen Nations 1978-1986 . Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State, 07.04.1980-1988; Vice Chairman, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 1981-1986 (Commissioner 1974-1986); Director, Data­Track Fuel Services Ltd, since 1996; Chairman, TROIKA Consortium Ltd, since 1992.

Hon. Air Cdre, No 3 (County of Devon) Maritime HQ Unit, RAuxAF, 1979-1990; Hon. Inspector Gen., RAuxAF, 1984-1989. British Export Finance Adv. Council, 1982-1989; Vice-Pres., 1980-1990; President: Air Public Relations Assoc., 1976-; West Devon Area, St John Ambulance, 1977-1985; Royal Crescent Soc., Bath, 1990-; Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association. OStJ 1985. Past President: RAF Modern Pentathlon Assoc.; Combined Services Equitation Assoc.

Published: (jointly) The Third World War, 1978; contrib. to The Third World War: The Untold Story, 1982; contributions to professional journals. Barratt,

Sir Arthur Sheridan

Eldest son of Charles Henry Barratt, of Clifton.

Married 1st (1916; marriage dissolved 1948) Norah Lilian, third daughter of Edgar Crew, of Clifton; one daughter.

Married 2nd (1949) Judith Rhoda Cartmell, widow of Terence Horsley. 25.02.1891

Peshawar, India

-

04.11.1966

Droxford district, Hampshire

Army: Cadet ? 2nd Lt. 23.12.1910 .. ... RAF: ... ... Air Marshal 01.07.1939 Air Chief Marshal 01.01.1946 (retd 27.03.1947)

KCB 11.07.1940 ? CB 11.05.1937 ? CMG 03.06.1919 ? MC 1916 ? MID 30.11.1915 ? MID 09.04.1917 ? MID 07.04.1918 ? MID 20.05.1918 ? [possibly the same as 07.04.1918] MID 20.12.1940 France 40 RestMil 12.06.1945 ? 25.07.1918 Officer, Order of the Crown (Belgium) 15.07.1919 Chevalier, Order of the Crown, with Croix de Guerre with Palms (Belgium)

Education: Clifton College; Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; Staff College, Camberley.

01.08.1919 transferred from Royal Regiment of Artillery to RAF ... 12.01.1935 - 31.12.1935 Director of Staff Duties, Air Ministry 01.01.1936 - 1939 Commandant, RAF Staff College, Andover 1939 Principal RAF Liaison Officer to the French Air Force 15.01.1940 - 1940 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Air Forces in France 20.11.1940 - 1943 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Co-operation Command 01.06.1943 - 1945 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Technical Training Command 29.10.1945 - 1947

Inspector-General of the RAF

Deputy Lieutenant, Hampshire, 20.07.1956. Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State, 22.03.1946-04.11.1966.

Barrett,

James Burney

Son of Arthur Richard and Laura Barrett. (12?).1901

Camberwell, London

-

16.01.1954

London

Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 [16016] (T) W/Cdr. 01.09.1940

qualified at specialist photographic course

Bartholomew,

Gilbert

?

-

Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [24019] Gp.Capt. ?

Cloud and Banner with special cravat (China) (20.12.1946)

Education: psa

qualified by examination as interpreter

Barthropp,

Patrick Peter Colin *

"Paddy"

* third Christian name also found as: Colum

09.11.1920

Dublin

-

16.04.2008

P/O

31.10.1938 [41512]

F/Lt. ?

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.04.1946, seniority 01.07.1944

Sq.Ldr.

01.08.1947 (retd 28.12.1957; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)

DFC

08.1941

?

AFC

10.06.1954

?

31.10.1938

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

...

-

...

...

16.05.1946

extended service commission

19.10.1948

permanent commission

Barton,

Robert Alexander

"Butch"

07.06.1916

Kamloops, British Columbia

-

02.09.2010

[his ashes were scattered on his favourite lake in British Columbia]

(A) P/O (prob)

23.03.1936 [37664]

P/O

27.01.1937

F/O

27.10.1938

(A) F/Lt.

1939?

F/Lt.

03.09.1940

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1941

(T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1944, seniority 01.01.1944

W/Cdr.

01.11.1947, seniority 01.07.1947 (retd 27.02.1959)

OBE

14.06.1945

?

DFC

22.10.1940

*

DFC

31.10.1941

**

MID

01.01.1945

?

* This officer has displayed outstanding leadership. His skill was particularly displayed on September 28 [= 27], when his squadron destroyed twenty enemy aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Barton has destroyed four enemy machines and shared in the destruction of others.

** Squadron Leader Barton is Officer Commanding No.249 Squadron. During his period of service in the United Kingdom this officer shot down seven and one-half enemy aircraft confirmed and since his arrival in Malta has shot down four and one-half enemy aircraft including one enemy bomber at night. He shows a high standard of courage and initiative and his excellent leadership has been a tonic to his flight commanders and fellow pilots and to the station in general. He leads his squadron on all interceptions and offensive fighter patrols which entails being on "Standby" every other day. In addition to this he performs night fighter duties which on many occasions have entailed being on watch for the entire 24 hours without a break. The results obtained by the fighter effort on the island of Malta can be largely credited to the efforts of this officer in the manner in which he inspires the pilots under his command.

27.01.1936

enrolled in RAF (pupil pilot)

23.03.1936

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

11.10.1936

-

15.05.1940

41 Squadron RAF

15.05.1940

-

08.12.1941

249 Squadron RAF (Battle of Britain and Malta) [from 12.1940 onwards as Commanding Officer; took the squadron to Malta 21.05.1941 flying from deck of HMS Ark Royal; 01.08.1941 crash-landed and sustained second-degree burns on but Remained on Malta and returned to action]

scored 11½ enemy aircraft destroyed, 4½ probably destroyed, and damaged 9 others

12.1941

Operational Training Unit (UK)

17.01.1942

transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers

staff officer in Fighter Command, commanded Skeabrae (Orkneys)

early 1945

-

08.1945

Commanding Officer, North Weald

08.1945

-

1948

posted to India (01.11.1947 permanent commission, RAF)

1948

-

1959

served in staff appointments including Germany & as commanding officer at RAF Acklington, Northumberland 1952-1953

Barwell,

Philip Reginald

(09?).1907

Knowle, Solihull district, Warwickshire

-

01.07.1942

[Calais Canadian War Cemetery, France, 5.G.1]

Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1936 [22062]

(T) W/Cdr.

01.01.1940

W/Cdr.

14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940

(T) Gp.Capt. 01.12.1941

DFC

?

?

qualified at specialist engineering course

Beadon,

Clive Vernon

Elder son of Col. Vernon Beadon, 9th Gurkha Rifles, and Beryl Martin.

Brother of Lt. Derek Vernon Beadon, York and Lancaster Regiment.

Married 1st ((03?).1952, Westminster district, London) Flight Officer Violet Mary "Vicky" Oliver, MBE, WAAF (1909?-1964).

Married 2nd (11.02.1965, Westminster district, Middlesex) Mrs Vera Jane Whigham (née Brooke) (04.12.1913-07.1999), of Cookham Dean, Berkshire. 15.04.1919Conoor, near Poona, India

-

15.09.1996

Windsor and Maidenhead district, Berkshire

P/O 28.07.1939 ... ... W/Cdr. 01.07.1953 (retd 15.04.1966)

DFC 17.08.1945 *

* This officer has completed three tours of operational duty, two of which have been served in the Far Eastern theatre of war operations. He has led the squadron on several occasions achieving excellent results. On one occasion he flew his badly damaged aircraft safely back to base, a distance of over 1,000 miles, after attacking, at low level. trains on the Bangkok-Chiengasi railway. Squadron Leader Beadon is an exceptionally able and courageous flight commander who by his enthusiasm and fine fighting spirit have set an inspiring example to the other members of his squadron. Education: Imperial Service Colllege, Windsor; RAF College, Cranwell.

28.07.1939 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 101 Squadron RAF 502 Squadron RAF 09.1940 - 09.1942 qualified as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School and spent the next two years training pilots 09.1942 - 12.1942 No. 1 Middle East Ferry Control 12.1942 - 1944 215 Squadron RAF 1944? - 1945? operations staff at HQ Air Command, South-East Asia

Beamish,

Francis Victor

Son of Francis George Beamish, and of Mary Elizabeth Beamish, of Castlerock, Co. Derry; unmarried. Brother of Air Marshal Sir George R. Beamish and of Air Vice Marshal C.H. Beamish.

27.09.1903

Dunmanway

-

28.03.1942

(KIA) [age 39]

[Runnymede Memorial, panel 64]

Sq.Ldr.

01.04.1937 [16089]

(T) W/Cdr.

01.03.1940

(A) Gp.Capt. ?

DSO

23.07.1940

*

DSO

02.09.1941

**

DFC

08.11.1940

***

AFC

1938

?

MID

20.02.1940

?

* Wing Commander Beamish took over command of a Royal Air Force station after two squadrons there had been intensively engaged in successful fighting operations over France for thirteen days and personally led them on many patrols against the enemy. In June, 1940, during an offensive mission over France, six Messerschmitt 109's were destroyed, two of them by Wing Commander Beamish himself, and twelve driven off. One day recently he assisted in the destruction of a Messerschmitt no, whilst leading the escort to a convoy, and three days later he shot down a Dornier 17. This officer's outstanding leadership and high courage have inspired all those under his command with great energy and dash.

** Group Captain Beamish commanded a Royal Air Force Station from October, 1940, to March, 1941, and during that period carried out 71 operational sorties in which he destroyed an enemy fighter, probably destroyed three other hostile aircraft and damaged others. Since his appointment to Group headquarters he has taken part in further sorties and has probably destroyed two more enemy aircraft. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Group Captain Beamish are of the highest order and he has set a magnificent example.

*** The work of this station commander has been outstanding. He has displayed exceptional keenness in his engagements against the enemy and has recently destroyed one and possibly a further seven enemy aircraft. His coolness and courage have proved an inspiration to all.

Education: Coleraine; RAF College, Cranwell (autumn 1921); RAF Staff College (psa)

1923

first commission

since served at Home, in Overseas Commands, and also two years lent to the Royal Canadian Air Force

(1940)

151, 249 & 56 Squadrons

504 Squadron

1940

-

1941

Commanding Officer, RAF Station, North Weald

1941

Commanding Officer, RAF Station, Debden

1942

Commanding Officer, RAF Station, Kenley Station

1942

Senior Air Staff Officer, 11 Group

?

-

28.03.1942

485 (RNZAF) Squadron

scored a total of 10 victories

Played Rugby for Harlequins, Leicester, Hants, Royal Air Force and Irish Trials for several years.

Literature: Doug Stokes, Wings aflame : the biography of Gp Capt Victor Beamish DSO and Bar, DFC, AFC (1998) Beamish,

[Sir] George Robert

Son of late Francis George Beamish, Coleraine, County Londonderry. Brother of Gp.Capt. F.V. Beamish and of Air Vice Marshal C.H. Beamish. 29.04.1905

-

13.11.1967

[Castlerock, Co. Londonderry ?]

P/O 17.12.1924 [16146] F/O 17.06.1926 F/Lt. 08.01.1930 Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 (T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1940? W/Cdr. 14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940 (T) Gp.Capt. 1941 (WS) Gp.Capt. 01.11.1942 Gp.Capt. 01.12.1944 (A) A/Cdre. 01.05.1942 (T) A/Cdre. 01.10.1944 A/Cdre. 01.07.1947 (A) Air Vice Marshal 15.06.1945-01.04.1946 Air Vice Marshal 01.01.1950 (A) Air Marshal 15.09.1955 Air Marshal 01.01.1956 (retd 07.02.1958)

KCB 09.06.1955 ? CB 1944 ? CBE 1942 ? MID 01.01.1943 ? GeoI 29.12.1942 ? LoM 10.03.1944 ?

Education: Coleraine Academical Institution; RAF College, Cranwell (1923-1924); RAF Staff College (psa, 1937).

1924 first commission RAF qualified at specialist engineering course 23.12.1943 - 1945 Air Officer Commanding 44 Group, RAF 1945 - 1948 Air Officer Commanding 45 Group, RAF 01.01.1949 - 1950 Air Officer Commanding RAF Cranwell and Commandant RAF College 02.09.1950 - 1952 Air Officer Commanding Army Headquarters, Iraq 01.10.1952 - 1954 Director General of Personnel (II), Air Ministry 15.03.1954 - 1955 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Transport Command 15.09.1955 - 1958 Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Technical Training Command

Additional Air ADC to the King, 01.01.1944-01.10.1944. High Sheriff, County Londonderry, 1962. Beardon,

Denis Frederic

Son of ... Beardon, and ... Challis.

Married 1st ((09?).1939, Chippenham district, Wiltshire) Coralie L. Brown (1906? - (03?).1954); ... children (one son?).

Married 2nd (24.01.1955) Mrs Barbara M. Adams (née Townsend), of Two-Miles-Ash, Horsham, Sussex. 24.05.1915

Hampstead district, London

-

08.2002

Taunton district, Devon / Somerset

(A) P/O (prob) 05.04.1937 [39775] P/O 05.04.1938 F/O 05.10.1939 (A) F/Lt. 11.02.1939-27.03.1939 F/Lt. 05.10.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 03.11.1945 Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1946, seniority 01.09.1945 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1956 (retd 05.07.1965)

AFC 13.06.1946 ?

05.04.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 05.04.1941 transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service) 22.08.1946 extended service commission 15.04.1947 permanent commission (with effect from 01.07.1946)

Beardsworth,

George Braithwaite

Married 1934, third daughter

of late William Seager of Broomfield, Kent. 10.02.1904

Queensland

-

05.08.1959

Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 [16147] W/Cdr. ? (T) Gp.Capt. 01.09.1942 (WS) Gp.Capt. 01.07.1945 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1947 A/Cdre. 01.01.1948 Air Vice Marshal ?

CB 1947 ?

MIMechE; MInstT; FRAeS

Education: Christ's Hospital; Royal Air Force College, Cranwell

qualified at specialist engineering followed by torpedo course 1936 - 1938 Commanding Officer, 36 Squadron (Far East) 1939 - 1945 served war in UK (despatches), Canada, and Middle East 21.07.1941 transferred from the Technical Branch to the General Duties Branch 30.04.1942 transferred from the General Duties Branch to the Technical Branch 1946 - 1947 Command Technical Officer, RAF, Middle East 1949 - 1951 Senior Technical Staff Officer Fighter Command 1952 - 1953 Senior Technical Staff Officer Far East

Air Force 11.02.1954 - 1955 Director of Aircraft Engineering, Air Ministry 15.02.1955 - 1957 Commanding No. 24 Group, RAF 1957 - 1959 Senior Air Staff Officer of Technical Training Command

Bearne,

Guy

"Smokey"

Son (with two brothers and one sister) of Lt.Col. Lewis Collingwood Bearne, DSO, AM (1878-1940), Indian Army, and Violet Hette Rogers Gibbs (1881-1972).

Brother of Maj. Sydney Bearne, Royal Tank Regiment.

Married (09.08.1933, Hawley, Hampshire) Aileen Cartwright Randall (06.05.1906 - 25.10.1992), daughter (with two sisters and one brother) of Henry James Randall (1882-1950), and Elizabeth Sargeant Stacy (1876-1960), of Hove, Sussex; one son, two daughters. 05.11.1908

Headley, Hampshire

-

01.11.2005

Red Beach, Rodney, Auckland, New Zealand

[Longbridge Deverill, St Peter & St Paul Churchyard, Wiltshire]

P/O (prob) 28.06.1929 ... ... W/Cdr. 25.01.1945, seniority 01.06.1944 ... ... Air Vice Marshal 01.07.1956 (retd 05.11.1961)

CB 02.01.1956 New Year 56

see: RAFweb

Beattie,

Hedley

Son of William Beattie (1861-1914), and Beatrice Laura Coles (1863-1935).

Brother of Sq.Ldr. William Beattie, RAFVR, and Lt.Col. QM Thomas Leonard Beattie, RA.

Married ((09?).1920, Croydon district, Surrey) Florence E. Brigg; two daughters (daughter Marie married then F/Lt. Thomas Donald Grant, RAFVR). 22.12.1893

Gosport, Alverstoke district, Hampshire

-

17.01.1945

[Yaba Cemetery, Nigeria, plot 4, row J, grave 1]

Seaman ? [F8582] Wt.Offr. ? [208582] F/O (prob) 01.02.1941, seniority 29.11.1940 [45311] F/O 01.02.1942 (T) F/Lt. 01.03.1942 (A) Sq.Ldr. ?

MID 14.06.1945 ?

WW I ? served in the ranks in the Royal Navy 01.02.1941 commissioned, RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for Special Duties (Engineering)) [emergency commission] based at RAF Takoradi West Africa 17.01.1945 killed as a passenger in a Wellington of 26 (SA) Squadron RAF

Bedford,

Eric Peter

Son of Frederick Bedford, and Florence Nash.

Married; one son, one daughter.

25.09.1922

Moreton, Dorset

-

08.08.2000

Simonstown, Cape Town, South Africa

Ldg.Acm.

? [575698]

P/O (prob)

09.09.1944 [55454]

P/O

09.03.1945

(WS) F/O 09.03.1945

RAF 57 Course A C.O.S (A Wing, A Squadron, B Flight)

09.09.1944

first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

crashed and was invalided to South Africa to recover; after recovery he went on to train pilots at No. 6 Air School, Potchefstroom, Transvaal, South Africa

Bennett,

James Johnston

?

-

P/O

? [39056]

F/O

06.02.1939

(A) F/Lt.

?

F/Lt.

03.09.1940

(T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941

Sq.Ldr.

? (retd 18.05.1958; retaining rank of Wg.Cdr.)

(A) Wg.Cdr.

1942?

DFC

26.03.1940

*

DFC

26.06.1942

?

Hkn

18.04.1947

?

* Flight Lieutenant Bennett was the captain of one of the aircraft which attacked the seaplane base at Sylt on the night of the 19-20th March 1940. In spite of being held and dazzled by searchlights he descended to 1,000 feet over the base and pressed home his attacks at this low altitude under heavy antiaircraft fire with great deliberation and resolution, securing direct hits on the seaplane base and causing an outbreak of fire.

06.07.1940

transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)

(1942)

144 Squadron RAF

?

Commanding Officer, RAF North Killingholme

Bennett,

Leslie Clive

Son of Frederick H. and Gertrude Bennett

Married (Caxton Hall Register Office, Westminster district, London) Joan Bennett (Mrs Poulter), of The Limes, Whyke, Chichester, Sussex.

Native of New Zealand. 1906 ?

-

09.07.1940

(KIA) [age 34]

[Lonstrup Churchyard]

P/O 30.07.1926 ... ... Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 [16216] (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940

Education: RAF Cadet College, Cranwell.

30.07.1926 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 08.1928 taking part in London Air Defence exercises when his plane caught fire over Richmond and nose-dived to earth; he parachuted to safety on the roof of a house 25.03.1937 - ? Commanding Officer, 52 Squadron 04.1940 - 09.07.1940 Commanding Officer, 21 Squadron (killed in action)

Bennions,

George Herman

"Ben"

Son of ... Bennions, and ... Smith.

Married; three daughters. 15.03.1913

Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolstanton district, Staffordshire

-

30.01.2004

Catterick, North Yorkshire

F/Sgt. ? [563057] P/O (prob) 01.04.1940 [43354] (WS) F/O 01.04.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 01.08.1942 (A) Sq.Ldr. (1942)

DFC 01.10.1940 * 39|45 St - & clasp AirEur St - - It St - - Def M - - WM 39|45 - - MID 01.01.1943 ?

* Pilot Officer Bennions has led his section with great distinction. He has destroyed seven enemy aircraft and possibly several others. His determination and coolness have had a splendid influence on his squadron as a whole.

01.04.1940 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] 23.05.1941 transferred, RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) 14.01.1943 transferred, RAF (General Duties Branch)

Went to Longton High School. He joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice at Halton in January 1929 (563057) and passed out as an LAC Engine Fitter in December 1931. Later recommended for a cadetship at Cranwell, Bennions was given his ab initio flying training there but the cadetship did not eventuate. In 1935 Bennions continued his flying training at 3 FTS, Grantham and in January 1936 he was posted to 41 Squadron at Khonnaksar, Aden, as a Sergeant-Pilot. Promoted to Flight Sergeant in November 1938, he was commissioned in April 1940. Bennions was with 41 Squadron at the start of the Battle of Britain. On July 28 and 29 1940 he claimed Bf 109s destroyed. On the 29th Bennions was himself shot down over Dover and he made a crash-landing at Manston with damaged flaps. On August 15 Bennions claimed a Bf 110 and another damaged, on September 5 a Ju 88 destroyed, a Bf 109 probably destroyed and a Ju 88 damaged On the 6th Bennions claimed two Bf 109s shot down and on the 7th his undercarriage collapsed on landing at Rochford after combat. Another Bf 109 was claimed on the 9th and a Bf 110 damaged on the 11th. On this day Bennions landed at Homchurch with a shell splinter in his heel and a shoe full of blood. A Bf 109 was claimed as destroyed and a Do 17 damaged on the 15th, a Bf 109 shot down on the 17th and a Bf 109 destroyed, two more probably destroyed and one damaged on the 18th. Bennions destroyed another Bf 109 on the 23rd, probably two more on the 28th and another Bf 109 on October 1 1940. On this day, in combat with Bf 109s over Henfield, Bennions had a cannon shell explode in his cockpit, blinding him in one eye and wounding his right arm and leg. He baled out, landing at Dunstalls Farm, and after emergency treatment at Horsham Hospital, he was transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. His Spitfire crashed on Heatonthome Farm, Albome. Bennions underwent plastic surgery by Archie McIndoe, becoming a Guinea Pig. His DFC (1.10.40) was gazetted on the day he was shot down. When fully recovered, Bennions was anxious to fly again and after a test at CFS he was given a A2B non-operational category, which allowed him to fly only by day and with a passenger who could look out. In 1943 Bennions was posted to North Africa, where he was appointed Liaison Officer to an American Fighter Group, which had recently received Spitfires. In Sicily he flew Spitfires on convoy patrols but took no part in combat. In October 1943 Bennions suffered shrapnel wounds when the landing craft he was in at Ajaccio, Corsica was sunk by enemy action. After release from the RAF in 1946, as a Squadron Leader, Bennions became a school teacher. Became head of department at Hipswell County School (now Risedale School) at Catterick before he retired after 28 years.

Literature: Nick Thomas, Ben Bennions DFC : Battle of Britain fighter ace (2011) Berkeley,

Arthur Pakenham Fitzhardinge Murray

"Boy"

Third son of the Arthur Pakenham Berkeley (1862-1938), Bishop of Barbados, and the Windward Islands and Emily Berkeley Murray (1874-1947). 10.08.1907

Barbados

-

04.08.1941

Kings Field near Parks-Lane Woodchester, Stroud district, Gloucestershire(flying accident)

P/O 30.07.1927 [26006] F/O 30.01.1929 F/Lt. 01.06.1933 Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1938 (retd 18.01.1940; ill-health)

Order of Naval Merit (Spain)

Education: RAF Cadet College, Cranwell (1925-1927).

30.07.1927 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) ... - ... ... 01.02.1929 - (03.1931) No. 402 Flight FAA [HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier)] ... - ... ... 05.11.1936 - 09.1939 Deputy Directorate of Intelligence (S), Department of the Chief of the Air Staff 1938 - 1941 production test pilot with Gloster's

Bertram,

Frederick Clifford

Son of Frederick A. and Lucy Bertram, of Hillingdon, Middlesex; husband of Doris Mary Bertram.

(09?).1912

Fermoy district, Ireland

-

01.05.1943

[age 30]

[Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 17.E.5]

Sgt.

? [561985]

P/O (prob)

01.04.1940 [43195]

P/O

01.04.1941, seniority 01.04.1940

(WS) F/O

01.04.1941

(WS/ F/Lt.

01.04.1942

(A) Sq.Ldr. 1943?

01.04.1940

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

?

-

01.05.1943

77 Squadron RAF

[HP Halifax II JB846, KN-L . T/o Elvington 23.52 hrs for an operation against Essen.]

Bethridge-Topp,

Edward see: Topp,

Edward Bethridge Betty,

Thomas Victor

Son of Thomas Rowland Betty (?-1954), and Jean Farrell ... (?-1954).

Married 1st ((09?).1943, Hendon district, Middlesex) Patricia K. McHale.

Married 2nd ((09?).1961, Surrey Mid Eastern district) Zena Ethyl Norris ((09?).1920 - 01.2012). 23.09.1916

-

29.05.2001

North Hampshire district

F/Sgt. ? [519765] (A) P/O (prob) 12.09.1941, seniority 26.06.1941 [46500] P/O (prob) 03.10.1941, seniority 17.07.1941 (WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942, seniority 17.07.1942 (T) F/Lt. 01.01.1944 (WS) F/Lt. 22.09.1945 F/Lt. 01.07.1946

25.02.1947, seniority 01.09.1945 Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1953 (retd 23.09.1972)

12.09.1941 commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission] 01.07.1946 permanent commission, RAF (Technical Branch [later: Engineer Branch])

CEng, MRAeS, MIMgt, FINucE. Knight Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (KCStJ).

Published: Malta : cross & controversy : the true story (1997)

Mr Brian Adams writes: "We are led to believe that T.V. Betty took the George Cross out to Malta in May 1942 and in 1997 he wrote a book "Cross & Controversy - Malta 1942" contradicting the "official" line that Lord Gort VC had actually taken the medal to Malta. We understand that he was ordered to collect the Cross from the Air Ministry, then report to RAF Hendon to fly to RAF Portreith in Cornwall, then on to Gibraltar and from there to RAF Luqa - Malta, which is now the Malta International Airport. He flew in a Hudson Mk3 (Spirit of Washington) piloted by Flying Officer Honeman, arriving in the middle of a German air raid in the evening of May 7th 1942." Bird,

Ivoe Curtis

Son of Alfred Curtis Bird (1862-1920), solicitor.Married ((09?).1932, Richmond district, Surrey) Iris M. Izzard ((12?).1911 - ); one son. 28.12.1908

Hendon district, Middlesex

-

06.11.1951

Moscow (announced as having died from a short illness, resulting in pneumonia)

P/O (prob) 03.04.1930 (reld 30.03.1931) [05188] P/O 30.03.1931, seniority 30.03.1930 F/O 30.09.1931 F/Lt. 30.09.1935 Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1938 (T) W/Cdr. 01.12.1940 (T) Gp.Capt. 01.01.1944 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1947 (A) A/Cdre. 01.1950

OBE 01.01.1945 New Year 45 OON 31.10.1947 ?

Education: Malvern College (1922.3-1927); Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (1927-1930; BA).

03.04.1930 commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch) (Class AA (ii)) 30.03.1931 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [permanent commission] 08.06.1931 No. 3 Flying Training School RAF (Grantham) 26.09.1931 54 Squadron RAF (North Weald) 10.1935 training in the Russian language, School of Slavonic Studies, London 01.07.1937 HQ Bomber Command RAF (Uxbridge) 01.1939 17th course, RAF Staff College 06.1941 went with the Sir Stafford Cripps Mission to Moscow as Deputy to the Senior Air Member 1942 transferred to Ceylon (via Tehran) as Second-in-Command of the RAF there late 1943 Commanding Officer of a base at Breighton, Yorkshire with 3 squadrons of Halifax bombers Air Ministry 1946 seconded to USAF Air University, Maxwell Field, Ala. 29.07.1948 - 01.1950? Senior Air Staff Officer to RAF Representative on Military Staff Committee, UK Delegation to United Nations (Air Force Staff) (New York) 01.1950 - 06.11.1951 Air Attaché. Moscow [died after an investiture dinner for the new UK ambassador under suspicious circumstances]

Bitmead,

Ernest Ralph

(06?).1913

-

17.12.1955

The Manor, Cholsey, Berkshire (formerly of West End, Nailsea, Somersetshire)(died on active service)

(A) P/O (prob.)

16.03.1934 [34139]

P/O

16.03.1935

F/O

16.09.1936

F/Lt.

16.09.1938

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.06.1940

Sq.Ldr.

01.09.1945

25.02.1947, seniority 01.01.1941

(A) Gp.Capt.

?

(T) W/Cdr.

?

(WS) W/Cdr.

11.03.1945

W/Cdr.

01.07.1947, seniority 01.10.1946

DFC

21.11.1944

?

MID

01.01.1946

?

OON

23.01.1948

?

Education: Cranleigh School, Surrey (1926); RAF Staff College (psa)

16.03.1934

commissioned, RAF, General Duties Branch [short service commission]

03.04.1934

-

04.03.1935

No. 5 Flying Training School (Sealand)

04.03.1935

-

05.11.1936

54 Squadron RAF (Hornchurch)

05.11.1936

-

16.07.1938

instructor, No. 5 Flying Training School (Netheravon)

16.07.1938

-

09.01.1939

permanent staff, 501 Squadron AuxAF (Filton)

09.01.1939

-

08.07.1940

instructor, Central Flying School, Upavon

08.07.1940

-

10.07.1940

Commanding Officer, 29 Squadron RAF [but was

posted away, non-effective sick on the 10th]

07.1940?

-

08.1940

266 Squadron (Wittering)

08.1940

-

09.1940

310 Squadron RAF (Duxford)

09.1940

-

09.1940

253 Squadron RAF

09.1940

-

19.10.1940

229 Squadron RAF

19.10.1940

-

18.05.1941

Commanding Officer, 611 Squadron RAF

[01.1941 destroyed a Bf 109 and a Do 215]

05. 1941, after an engagement over the Channel, his aircraft

was damaged and he made a forced landing in a field near

East Grinstead. An insecure hood fractured the base of his

skull.]

14.08.1941

-

08.1941

Commanding Officer, 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF

(North Weald)

[After a week, he felt that he was not fit enough and

relinquished his command]

16.03.1945

transferred to Reserve (and called up for Air Force

service)

Blackburn,

James

(03?).1916

Acton, London

-

1993

P/O

22.12.1936 [10067]

F/O

30.09.1939

F/Lt.

06.11.1940

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1941

(WS) Sq.Ldr.

08.08.1942 *

(A) W/Cdr. (10.1943)

DSO

01.10.1943

**

DSO

08.12.1944

***

DFC

04.11.1941

****

DFC

18.09.1942

*****

MID

01.01.1943

?

DFC(US)

27.03.1945

?

* Takes rank and precedence as if his appointment as Temporary and War Substantive Sq.Ldr. bore date 29.03.1944. Reduction to take effect from 29.03.1944.

** Since he was appointed to command this squadron, Wing Commander Blackburn has completed 300 hours operational flying nearly all of which have been at night. His sorties have involved very long nights over difficult and mountainous country when he has displayed skill, endurance and courage of a high order. The success of the operations completed by his squadron has been largely due to this officer's personal example and masterly leadership.

*** This officer has an outstanding record. He has completed five tours of operational duty. He has commanded this squadron for the past few months and during the period has participated in a number of bombing attacks and several mine-laying missions. During these operations, despite very bad weather not once has he failed to attack his allotted target. Both in the air and on the ground his example has proved inspiring. His genius for leadership, great skill and fine fighting spirit have contributed in good measure to the high standard of efficiency of the squadron he commands.

**** This officer has completed 44 operational missions over enemy territory, involving 335 hours flying. Within the past four months, Flight Lieutenant Blackburn has completed 25 sorties, the majority of which have been made from advanced landing grounds, with an average of 11 hours flying time per sortie. Throughout he has displayed great skill and efficiency and set an excellent example. He is always ready to carry out any duty and his experience has proved invaluable.

***** This officer is engaged on his second tour of operational flying. As flight commander he has displayed outstanding enthusiasm and keenness, which has proved a source of inspiration. Undeterred by enemy opposition, he always presses home his attacks with the utmost skill and determination. Recently, over Benghazi, his aircraft was held in searchlight beams and subjected to accurate anti-aircraft fire. Despite this, he made another run over the area and released his bombs alongside a ship moored in the outer Mole. On another occasion, in similar circumstances, at Martuba, Squadron Leader Blackburn bombed the landing ground, starting three fires. His efficiency is of a high standard.

Education: Wellington College, Berkshire; Oxford University

22.12.1936

commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers, Royal Air Force Reserve (General Duties Branch)

57 Squadron RAF

?

-

(11.1941?)

70 Squadron RAF

05.1942

-

08.1942

Commanding Officer, 104 Squadron RAF

09.1942

-

11.1942

survived the torpedoing of the troop ship Laconia, was captured, escaped & made his way back to American lines in Morocco

?

-

(10.1943?)

Commanding Officer, 148 Squadron RAF

03.1944

-

07.1944

Commanding Officer, 227 Squadron RAF

?

-

(12.1944?)

Commanding Officer, 159 Squadron RAF

08.01.1946

-

?

Commanding Officer, 196 Squadron RAF

allegedly the only RAF officer to complete 5 tours of operations during WW II

Probably court-martialled in 1944 for losing some 'top secret' documents.

Blair,

Kenneth Hughes

Son of ... Blair, and ... Royle.Married ...; ... children (one son?). 15.02.1918

Heaton Moor, Stockport

-

31.10.1953

Doncaster district, West Riding of Yorkshire[Hatfield Cemetery, Doncaster]

(A) P/O 18.05.1937 [39704] P/O 15.03.1938 F/O 15.10.1939 F/Lt. 15.10.1940 (A) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 12.01.1944 (A) W/Cdr. (1944) Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1947, seniority 01.09.1945 W/Cdr. 01.01.1952

DFC 31.05.1940 * DFC 23.05.1944 ? MID 24.09.1941 ? MID 11.06.1942 ?

* This officer has shown exceptional keenness both before and during the present operations. He has engaged successfully two enemy bomber aircraft, viz., at dawn, one day in May, when he succeeded in being the first off the ground in pursuit of a Heinkel, and at dusk on the same day, when he successfully attacked another Heinkel between Arras and Vitry. He had a very narrow escape when a bomb landed within 20 yards of a room in which he was sleeping. He was badly shaken, but insisted on volunteering and taking .part in a patrol over Maastricht, when he engaged two Messerschmitt 109's.

03.1937 flying training 18.05.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 05.06.1937 No. 11 Flying Training School RAF 01.06.1938 - 25.06.1940 85 Squadron RAF (Debden & France) (DFC) 26.06.1940 - 09.07.1941 "B" Flight Commander, 151 Squadron RAF (Martlesham Heath) (despatches) 15.03.1941 transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers 10.07.1941 - 04.09.1942 Flight Commander, 1453 Flight RAF (Wittering) (despatches) 06.1943 - 10.1943 Flight Commander, 25 Squadron RAF (Church Fenton) 10.1943 - 02.1944 Commanding Officer, 613 Squadron RAF (Bar to DFC) 01.10.1947 extended service commission ? - 1953 RAF Lindholme

Blockey,

Paul Sandland

Son of Albert and Mabel Blockey.

Married (1926) Ella Temple; three sons (one daughter deceased).

23.02.1905

-

10.10.1963

[Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surrey ?]

P/O (prob)

15.07.1924 [19045] P/O

15.01.1925

F/O

15.01.1926

F/Lt.

05.03.1930

Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1936

(T) W/Cdr.

01.01.1940

W/Cdr.

14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940

(T) Gp.Capt.

?

(WS) Gp.Capt. 03.10.1944

(T) A/Cdre.

01.01.1946

A/Cdre.

01.01.1948

(A) Air Vice Marshal

15.02.1954-15.09.1954

Air Vice Marshal

? (retd 1960)

CB

1955

?

CBE

1945

?

Education: Dulwich College; Trinity Hall, Cambridge (Mech. Sciences Tripos, 3rd class, BA); RAF Staff College (psa, 1939)

15.07.1924

first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

01.09.1930

permanent commission

1929

-

1931

qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering

24.04.1940

transferred from the General Duties Branch to the Technical Branch

1943

-

1945

AOC, No. 230 Maintenance Group

1948

-

1950

Senior Technical Staff Officer, Transport Command

1950

-

1954

Dir Aircraft Engineering

15.02.1954

-

(04.)1954

Director-General of Technical Services, Air Ministry

1954

-

1956

Senior Technical Staff Officer, MEAF

1956

-

1959

Deputy Director­General of Aircraft Research and Development (RAF), Ministry of Supply

1959

-

1960

Senior Air Staff Officer, RAF Technical Training Command

Blucke,

Robert Stewart

Son of late Rev. R.S.K. Blucke, Monxton Rectory, Andover, Hants; married 1926, Nancy, daughter of late Frank Wilson, Auckland, NZ; one daughter (one son decd). 22.06.1897

-

02.10.1988

[Crowborough, East Sussex ?]

Sq.Ldr.

01.10.1936

Air Vice Marshal

01.07.1947 (retd 01.07.1952)

CB

1946

?

CBE

1945

?

DSO

1943

?

AFC

1936

?

AFC

1941

?

Education: Malvern College

24.04.1918

first commission

qualified at specialist signals course

Dorset Regt and RFC, 1915-18; Mesopotamia, 1916-18; Royal Air Force, 1922; India, 1927-32; Test Pilot Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, 1933-37; Air Ministry, 1938-42; served in Bomber Command, 1942-46; AOC No 1 Group RAF, 1945; Senior Air Staff Officer, AHQ, India, 1947; AOA, Technical Training Command, 1947-49; AOA, Far East Air Force, 1949-50; AOC Malaya, 1951; AOC-in-C Transport Command, 1952; retired 1952. General Manager, National Assoc. for Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen, 1952-65.

Boddie,

Donald George

Son (with four brothers) of Charles Littleboy Boddie (1861-1924), and Elizabeth Anne Edwards (1861-1913).

Brother of R.Adm. (E) Ronald Charles Boddie, CVO, DSO, RN.

Married ((12?).1916, Spilsby district, Lincolnshire) Ellen Beatrice Hand (08.09.1890-18.07.1980), of Twickenham, Middlesex; three daughters. 02.11.1891

Coleraine, Northern Ireland

-

18.08.1947

Twickenham, Brentford district, Middlesex[age 55]

[Mortlake Crematorium, panel 2]

F/Lt. 13.07.1920 [14129] Sq.Ldr. 19.08.1925 W/Cdr. 01.01.1935 Gp.Capt. 01.01.1939 A/Air Cdre. 1944? (retd 25.10.1946; medical unfitness, retainin rank of Air Cdre.)

Education: University of Edinburgh; MB, ChB 1914.

House Surgeon, Lincoln County Hospital.

19.08.1915 - 1918 temporary commission as Surgeon in the Royal Navy 13.07.1920 commissioned into the Royal Air Force (Medical Service [later: Medical Branch]) 24.04.1939 - (06.)1940 Principal Medical Officer, Maintenance Command (Andover, Hampshire) 05.11.1940 - (01.)1942 Principal Medical Officer, Far East Command RAF (Air HQ, Singapore) 09.10.1944 - (07.1945) Principal Medical Officer, Coastal Command RAF (Northwood, Middlesex)

A grandchild writes: "During WWII he was Senior Medical Officer Far East, based in Singapore where he was wounded just before the surrender. He was shipped out to Indonesia before the arrival of the Japanese and later transferred to Hospital in India before returning to the UK via South Africa." Boles,

George Reid

Son (with two sisters and one brother) of David Herbert Boles (1874-1939), and Rachel Rae Reid (1869-).

Married ...; ... children (one son?). 26.08.1913Canada

-

?

(A) P/O (prob) 02.03.1936 [37593] P/O 06.01.1937 (A) F/O 20.05.1938 F/O 06.08.1938 (A) F/Lt. 15.05.1939 F/Lt. 06.08.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1942

02.03.1936 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 20.12.1936 - (11.1939) 35 (Bomber) Squadron RAF (Worthy Down, later Cranfield) 06.01.1940 transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service)

Bond,

Alfred Gordon

06.04.1891

Gravesend, Kent

-

30.05.1961

The Kent and Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge district, Kent (formerly of Old Tattlebury, Goudhurst, Kent)

F/O

20.05.1916

2nd Lt.

03.10.1916, seniority 04.09.1916

T/Lt.

?

T/Capt. (Flight Cdr.)

10.12.1917

Sq.Ldr. (retd)

29.05.1929 [02058]

(T) W/Cdr.

? (retd 21.01.1936)

AFC

?

?

03.10.1916

commissioned into The South Lancashire Regiment

03.10.1916

seconded for services with the Royal Flying Corps

01.04.1918

first commission RAF

01.08.1919

joined RAF (permanent commission)

25.08.1939

-

24.07.1942

recalled to active service

Bond,

Kenneth Frank Pennington

Son of Frank Herbert Bond, commercial traveller, and Dorothy Blanche Pennington, of Finchley.

Married ((12?).1943, York district, East Riding of Yorkshire) Margaret Elaine Oxlade, of Camelot, Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire; one daughter. 26.04.1914

-

22.04.1944

(KIA) [age 29]

[Clichy Northern Cemetery, France, plot 16, row 10, grave 19]

(A) P/O (prob) 07.05.1938 [40666] P/O 07.03.1939 F/O 03.09.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 03.09.1941 (A) Sq.Ldr. 1944?

MID 14.06.1945 posthumously

Education: Merchant Taylors' School (1927-1931).

07.05.1938 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 07.03.1942 transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) ? - 22.04.1944 pilot, 77 Squadron RAF

[Halifax LK710 (KN-S) left Elvington 22:20 hrs without incident, to attack rail yards at Laon, France. Aircraft was shot down from height of 7000ft by enemy night fighter (Ju88?), which raked the Halifax from aft to fore and from directly below (probably Schrage Musik?) as no one on board saw it! Aircraft crashed approximately 5 km due East of Soissons in the department of Aisne, approximately 25 km S.W of it's target of Laon. Sq.Ldr. Bond was sadly killed and is buried in Clinchy New Communal Cemetery, remainder of crew baled out, one was subsequently captured & taken pow, the remainder evaded capture.]

Booth,

Maurice

Married Philippa Bennett.

?

-

died before 1996

P/O

?

..

...

W/Cdr.

01.10.1946 (retd )

DFC

?

?

DFC

?

?

1943

-

1945

Commanding Officer, 271 Squadron RAF

Borthwick-Clarke,

Ernest Shakespeare

07.05.1899

Cardiff, Glamorgan

-

17.01.1966

Filey, Yorkshire

Sq.Ldr.

01.06.1936 [03184]

(WS) W/Cdr.

13.01.1943

(A) Gp.Capt.

? (retd 13.09.1945)

OBE

?

?

01.04.1918

first commission RAF

Boult,

Norman de Warrenne

"Ben"

Younger son of V. de V. Boult, of Gerrards Cross, and Mrs Boult, late of Thorney Weir, Iver.

Married ((06?).1938, Westminster district, London) Margaretta Dorothy Marshall "Peggy" Symons, only daughter of S.M. Symons, of Salisbury, Rhodesia, and Mrs Symons, of Capetown. 06.04.1913

-

05.02.1998

Whitby district, Yorkshire

(A) P/O (prob) 06.06.1933 [34066] P/O 06.06.1934 F/O 06.12.1935 F/Lt. 06.12.1937 Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1940 (T) W/Cdr. 01.09.1941 Sq.Ldr. (permanent) 21.05.1946, seniority 01.09.1945

25.02.1947, seniority 01.01.1941 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947, seniority 01.10.1946 Gp.Capt. 01.01.1952 (retd 31.03.1960)

DFC 19.09.1944 * AFC 01.01.1942 ? GkAFC 12.03.1943 ?

* In July, 1944, this officer took part in an attack on a target south of Caen. Considerable antiaircraft fire was encountered and, in his run over the target, Wing Commander Boult's aircraft was hit. The hydraulic gear was put out of action, causing the bomb doors to fall open and the landing wheels to drop to the down position; other damage was also sustained. Wing Commander Boult was wounded in the arm and in the eye but despite this he maintained formation and made two more runs over the target. This officer set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty throughout. Education: Rossall School, Fleetwood.

06.06.1933 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 23.06.1933 - (07?).1934 No. 4 Flying Training School (Abu Sueir) 07.1936 seriously injured as pilot as the result of an accident which occurred at Mersa Matruh on July 7, to an aircraft of No. 216 (Bomber Transport) Squadron, Heliopolis, whilst engaged in a night flying exercise in co-operation with the Army 28.03.1937 Home Aircraft Depot RAF, Henlow 04.04.1938 No. 615 (County of Surrey) (A.C.) Squadron RAF (Kenley) 06.06.1944 transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service) [re-transferred to active list 21.05.1946] (1944) pilot, 180 Squadron RAF (wounded on 24.07.1944 on a night raid near Caen) 1947 Chief Instructor at the Central Flying School, Little Rissington 1956 Commanding Officer, RAF Acklington

Bourne,

Alistair Hugh Richmond

Son of Mr. and the late Mrs. A.H. Bourne, Purley, Surrey.

Engaged (22.02.1939) to Jacqueline Lemmon, daughter of Col. & Mrs. C.H. Lemmon, Burleigh, Nr. Stroud, Gloucestershire.

30.05.1914

Croydon, Greater London

-

18.12.1939

(KIA) [age 25]

[Runnymede Memorial, panel 1]

(A) P/O (prob)

09.07.1938 [40882]

P/O 16.05.1939

09.07.1938

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

? -

18.12.1939

9 Squadron RAF

[his Wellington Mk. 1A bomber [N2939 WS-H] took off at 0855 from Honington for a reconnaissance operation; it broke up in the air and crashed into the sea off Wilhelmshaven, Germany, after being engaged by Me-110s; there were no survivors]

Bowen,

Stanley Allen Fawcett

Son of Walter Allen Bowen, and Bertha Bowen.Married ((09?).1945, Isle of Wight) Beryl Bottrill; ... children (one son?). 08.05.1917

-

14.04.1988

Isle of Wight

(A) P/O (prob) 08.07.1939 [42298] P/O (prob) 20.02.1940 P/O 15.05.1940 (WS) F/O 20.02.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 20.02.1942 (reld 22.03.1947) F/O 22.03.1947 F/Lt. 01.03.1951, seniority 22.03.1947 (reld 22.03.1952)

MID 01.01.1946 ?

08.07.1939 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 15.05.1945 - 22.03.1947 transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) 22.03.1947 - 22.03.1952 commissioned, RAFVR (Reconstituted Section) (General Duties Branch)

His son writes: "Unit affiliation: 8 / Aden; 20 / Peshawar; 221 Group India; Flying Wing HQ, RAF College SFTS, Cranwell." Bowles,

John Edward Wymer

01.01.1905

Norwich district, Norfolk

-

died between 04.1956 and 1996

Sq.Ldr.

01.04.1937 [16139]

Gp.Capt.

01.10.1946 (retd 21.11.1947)

DFC

?

?

31.07.1924

first commission

Boyd,

Robert Findlay

08.06.1916

Glasgow, Scotland

-

04.1975

P/O 02.11.1935 [90165] F/O 02.05.1937 F/Lt. 03.09.1939 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1940 Sq.Ldr. ? (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1942 (WS) W/Cdr. 14.09.1944

27.07.1945, seniority 27.05.1945 (reld 1945) (A) Gp.Capt. ? 1945?

DSO 10.04.1942 * DFC 24.09.1940 ** DFC 25.10.1940 ***

* Since December, 1941, this officer has led a wing on many operational missions. Much of the outstanding successes which have been obtained can be attributed to the leadership, skill and fighting spirit of this officer. Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander Boyd has destroyed a further 12 enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to 22.

** Flight Lieutenant Boyd has led his flight into action on all possible occasions and by his initiative and accurate shooting has personally destroyed nine enemy aircraft. He has displayed cool judgment and a keen desire to engage the enemy irrespective of the odds against him.

*** This officer has personally destroyed at least 12 enemy aircraft, and has assisted in the destruction of one other. His fine leadership has enabled his squadron to attain many successes with few losses to themselves. Flight Lieutenant Boyd has distinguished himself by his cool bearing and capable leadership.

02.11.1935 commissioned, 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron AuxAF (General Duties Branch) 12.1940 Commanding Officer, 54 Squadron RAF (Catterick) 07.1941 58 Operational Training Unit RAF (Grangemouth) 12.1941 RAF Kenley 1942 Wing Leader, 293 Wing RAF (Burma)

Flew post-war charter flights for Scottish Aviation, and later tried pig-farming, and herring fishing and then moved to Skye, where he kept the Ferry Inn at Uig. Braham,

John Randall Daniel

"Bob" 06.04.1920

Holcombe, Somerset

-

07.02.1974

Nova Scotia, Canada

(A) P/O 07.05.1938 [40667] ... ... Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1947 (retd 11.05.1952; retaining rank of W/Cdr.) (A) W/Cdr. (1943) (T) W/Cdr. ?

DSO 09.10.1942 * DSO 24.09.1943 ** DSO 13.06.1944 *** DFC 17.01.1941 ? DFC 25.11.1941 **** DFC 15.06.1943 ***** AFC 01.01.1951 New Year 51

07.05.1938 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] (1940) - (1941) 29 Squadron RAF (1943) 141 Squadron RAF 01.09.1945 permanent commission, RAF (General Duties Branch)

* Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Squadron Leader Braham has destroyed a further four enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to ten. On one occasion his aircraft sustained much damage and one engine was put out of action when at an altitude of only 150 feet. Nevertheless, displaying great courage and determination he completed the return journey and made a safe landing on a small emergency landing ground. Squadron Leader Braham has led both his flight and his squadron with courage and resolute determination.

** Since being awarded a second bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander Braham has undertaken many sorties at night during which he has destroyed a further 5 enemy aircraft. He is a brilliant leader, whose exceptional skill, gallantry and unswerving devotion to duty have been reflected in the fine fighting qualities of the squadron which has obtained notable successes.

*** Since being awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order, this officer has taken part in many sorties, including numerous successful attacks on rail targets and on mechanical transport. In air fighting he has destroyed many more enemy aircraft, bringing his victories to at least 29. This officer has displayed the highest qualities of skill and leadership and his achievements are a splendid testimony to his courage and fighting spirit.

**** Since January, 1941, this officer has carried out many operational sorties at night during which he has destroyed 6 hostile aircraft bringing his total victories to at least 7 destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and a further 2 damaged. His most recent success was one night in October, 1941, when he intercepted a raiding aircraft and, following a burst from his guns at short range, the raider went down in flames, finally crashing into the sea. This officer has always shown the utmost zeal and keenness and has flown with great skill in adverse weather conditions on many occasions.

***** This officer is a fearless and determined leader, whose impressive qualities have inspired the squadron he commands. Wing Commander Braham has destroyed n enemy aircraft, whilst his more recent achievements include a damaging attack on a U-boat and another attack on a motor torpedo boat which was set on fire. His fine fighting spirit and keenness have set a praiseworthy example. Brain,

George William Son of George W. Brain, and Amelia Cook. 31.10.1919

Cardiff, South Glamorgan

- 24.11.1984

Penarth, South Glamorgan

Wt.Offr. ? [581263] P/O (prob) 18.07.1942 [49311] (WS) F/O 18.01.1943 (WS) F/Lt. 18.07.1944 F/O 18.12.1945, seniority 18.07.1943 F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 18.01.1946 Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1954 (retd 01.01.1959)

DFC 12.03.1943 *

* This officer has taken part in a large number of operational sorties. On one occasion, the aircraft in which he was flying was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Despite this, he successfully navigated it back to this country, where the crew were forced to leave it by parachute. More recently he participated in the daylight raids on Le Creusot and Milan.

18.07.1942 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] (1943) 207 Squadron RAF 18.12.1945 extended service commission 15.07.1948 permanent commission

Brandon,

Charles Harold Second son (with two brothers and one sister) of Noel Harold Brandon (1884-1932), and Muriel Emily Craig (1886-1966), of Leskinfere, Pyrford.

Married (22.04.1939, Dingwall) Marion Stevens Morss (21.03.1917 - 08.12.1976), eldest daughter of Robert Dillingham Morss (1889-1940), and Marion Winchester Stevens (1888-1917), of Uplands, Berkhamsted (formerly of Boston, USA); one daughter. Marion Brandon remarried (1948) G.B.C. Sumner. 02.09.1913

Highgate, St Pancras district, London

- 26.07.1944Westminster Hospital, London

[Woking (St John's) Crematorium, panel 1]

P/O 16.12.1933 [33079] F/O 16.06.1935 F/Lt. 16.06.1937 Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1939 (T) W/Cdr. 01.09.1941

Education: RAF College, Cranwell.

16.12.1933 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 16.12.1933 RAF Base Calshot 21.12.1937 No. 8 Armament Training Camp RAF, Evanton 01.1943 - 11.1943 Commanding Officer, 210 Squadron RAF

Brandt,

Jack Son of Capt. Freddie Brandt (?-1924).

Twin brother of F/Lt. Sidney Brandt, RAF. 17.04.1916

Shanghai

- 02.1999

Lewes district, Sussex

(A) P/O (prob) 05.07.1937 [39849] P/O 10.05.1938 F/O 10.02.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 10.02.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1944 F/Lt. 22.08.1946, seniority 01.12.1942 Sq.Ldr. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.08.1947 (emgcy) (reld 01.01.1955)

DFC 10.11.1942 ?

05.07.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 17.07.1937 No. 7 Flying Training School RAF (Peterborough) 10.05.1941 transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service) (1942) 67 Squadron RAF (DFC) 137 Squadron RAF

[shot down in Typhoon MN474; POW] 22.08.1946 extended service commission 22.08.1950 transferred to reserve (Class A) 01.01.1955 appointment to the Royal Naval Reserve (Air Branch)

Brandt,

Sidney Son of Capt. Freddie Brandt (?-1924).

Twin brother of Sq.Ldr. Jack Brandt, DFC, RAF. 17.04.1916

Shanghai

- 29.12.1941

(MPK) [age 25]

[Malta Memorial, panel 1, column 1]

(A) P/O (prob) 09.07.1938 [40883] F/O 03.09.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 03.09.1941

09.07.1938 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 29.12.1941 Flight Commander, 249 Squadron RAF

[Engaged in his Hurricane fighting enemy aircraft which were attacking shipping between Malta and Gozo, when he was shot down into the sea and lost.]

Brazendale,

Harry Married ((09?).1947, Plymouth district, Devon) Joan F. Johns; one daughter, one son. 17.06.1909

Wilmslow, Bucklow district, Cheshire

-

17.12.1967

Headington, Oxford

F/Sgt. ? [366145] (A) P/O (prob) 10.12.1942 [50313] P/O (prob) 11.03.1943 (WS) F/O (prob) 11.09.1943 (WS) F/Lt. 11.09.1946 (retd 30.05.1947; own request)

MID 14.06.1945 ?

served approx. 22 years in the RAF; based in Grantham in 1934 where he was a band leader, with the Accordion Bandits; later to South Cerney in Gloucestershire; he then went to officer training, and might then have been in 601 Squadron RAF 10.12.1942 commissioned, RAF (Technical Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Insurance agent. Brecknell,

Douglas Frank Charles Son of Henry Brecknell, and Marjorie Edwards.

Brother of Maj. Mervyn St. James Brecknell.

Married ((09?).1935, Bristol district, Gloucestershire) Audrey M. Ling. (12?).1907

Bristol district, Gloucestershire

- 08.07.1940

Ellerker Sands, Ellerker, Holderness district, East Riding of Yorkshire (formerly of Kingston-upon-Hill)

P/O (prob) 21.06.1927, seniority 08.06.1927 [70080] P/O 08.06.1928 F/O 08.12.1928 *

* Showing as relinquishing commission on the Emergency List 10.02.1954, with no retention of rank

21.06.1927 commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class AA2)

Civil aviation pilot (by 1938 serving as pilot for Jersey Airways Ltd., St Peter's Airport, Jersey).

may have been killed as a test pilot flying a sabotaged aircraft

Briggs,

Geoffrey Harry

"Buster"

Married (1947) Elizabeth

("Wizzie") Swithinbank (died 1982); three sons, one daughter.

22.03.1918

-

13.04.2005

Army:

Cadet

?

2nd Lt.

27.01.1938 [74592]

Lt.

01.01.1941

Capt.

27.01.1946 (retd 12.07.1946; disability)

RAF:

(T) P/O (prob)

23.01.1941 [45270]

P/O

23.01.1942

F/O

23.01.1942

F/Lt.

?

(A) Sq.Ldr.

?

(WS) Sq.Ldr.

24.07.1945

(A?) W/Cdr.

? (reld 12.07.1946; medically unfit)

DFC

1944?

Normandy 06.44

MID

?

Sicily 07.43

MID

14.01.1944

Arnhem 09.44

Education: Abingdon School; Eton; Royal Military College, Sandhurst

27.01.1938

commissioned into the Coldstream Guards (1st Battalion)

1938

-

1940

served in the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards & from 01.12.1939 HQ 7th Guards Brigade (UK, France [Cherbourg, Dyle, Dunkirk 09.1939-06.1940], UK [Rustington, Sussex])

23.01.1941

seconded to the RAF

23.01.1941

Glider Exercise Unit (Ringway, Manchester) [Army Co-operation Command]

01.1942

redesignated: 296 Squadron RAF

12.06.1942

Airborne Forces

01.1943?

295 Squadron RAF (SOE operations, tugging gliders in Morroco, Tunisia, Sicily) (temporary in command)

17.10.1943

-

16.11.1944

Flight Commander, 298 Squadron RAF (Tarrant Rushton, Normandy & Arnhem)

02.12.1944

Instructor, School of Air Support, Old Sarum

24.03.1945

Commanding Officer, 190 Squadron RAF (1st Allied Airborne Army)

Briggs farmed in West Sussex, where he was appointed a High Sheriff and a Deputy Lieutenant.

Brinsden,

Francis Noel

"Frank"

27.03.1919

Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand

-

11.1993

Western Australia

P/O

27.09.1938 [40338]

F/O

27.03.1940

(WS) F/Lt.

27.03.1941

F/Lt.

28.06.1947, seniority 01.12.1942

(T) Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1942-01.01.1944, 28.06.1947-01.11.1947

Sq.Ldr.

01.07.1948, seniority 01.08.1947

W/Cdr.

01.01.1954

1937

joined RAF

(01.07.1940)

19 Squadron

31.08.1940

safely baled out of his Spitfire I R6958 after combat above the Thames Estuary at 0845 hrs.

10.1940

posted to 303 (Polish) Squadron

03.1941

Flight Commander, 485 Squadron

27.09.1941

transferred to reserve (RAFO)

01.01.1944

relinquished commission

01.1944

transferred RNZAF

28.06.1947

permanent commission RAF

09.09.1940

victories:

½ He 111

(1965)

still serving

Broadhurst,

Sir Harry

28.10.1905

Frimley, Surrey

-

29.08.1995

Birdham, Chichester district, Sussex

P/O 01.10.1926 [24035] ... ... (A) Air Vice Marshal 01.06.1943 ... ... Air Chief Marshal 14.02.1957 (retd 01.03.1961)

... - ... ... 29.11.1942 - 31.01.1943 Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Western Desert Air Force 31.01.1943 - 21.03.1944 Air Officer Commanding, Western Desert Air Force (from 10.07.1943 Desert Air Force) 25.03.1944 - 01.09.1945 Air Officer Commanding, 83 (Composite) Group RAF (NW Europe) ... - ... ...

Brodie,

Robert Petrie

Son of George Brown Brodie, and Margaret Gow Petrie.

Married May Lennox. 18.08.1909

Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland

-

30.11.1993

Ilford, Redbridge district, Essex

Wt.Offr. ? [510588] F/O (prob) 28.12.1944 [56344] F/O 28.06.1945, seniority 28.12.1944 F/Lt. 28.06.1948 (retd 05.09.1954)

served in Egypt and Iraq (may have served with 84 Squadron RAF): 28.12.1944 commissioned, RAF (Accountant Branch [later: Secretarial Branch]) [emergency commission] 05.09.1946 extended service commission served at North Weald

Bromet,

Sir Geoffrey Rhodes

28.08.1891

-

16.11.1983

A/Cdre.

01.01.1933 (retd 25.04.1938) (reverted to retd 10.10.1945; retaining the rank of Air Vice Marshal)

(A) Air Vice Marshal

04.03.1940-12.09.1941

(T) Air Vice Marshal 01.06.1943

...

-

...

...

30.06.1936

-

1938

Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Coastal Command

08.01.1940

-

1941

Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Coastal Command

12.09.1941

-

1943

Air Officer Commanding, No. 19 Group (Plymouth)

18.09.1943

-

1945

Air Officer Commanding, No. 247 Group (Senior British Officer, Azores Force)

Bromley,

Robert

31.12.1910

Brenchley, Kent

-

02.12.1987

Theale, Reading and Wokingham district, Berkshire

F/Sgt. ? [515285] P/O (prob) 28.03.1942, seniority 29.01.1942 [48187] (WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942 (A) F/Lt. ? (T) F/Lt. 01.01.1945 (WS) F/Lt. 07.11.1946 F/O 16.05.1946, seniority 28.03.1943 F/Lt. 01.07.1946, seniority 01.10.1945

24.02.1948, seniority 28.09.1945

MID 01.01.1946 ?

28.03.1942 commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission] 16.05.1946 extended service commission 15.05.1948 permanent commission 11.10.1955 transferred to Branch List conditions of service

Brooke,

John Callaghan

25.06.1893

East Court, Kensington, London

-

06.09.1966

Poole, Dorset

Sq.Ldr.

01.01.1927 [02066] (retd 25.06.1941)

DSC

?

?

01.04.1918

first commission RAF

qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering

26.06.1941

-

31.10.1941

re-employed on active service

Brooker,

Richard Edgar Peter

02.11.1918

Chessington, Epsom district, Surrey

-

16.04.1945

(A) P/O 12.07.1937 [39931] P/O 05.04.1938 F/O 05.01.1940 F/Lt. 05.01.1941 Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1942 (A) W/Cdr. ?

see biography button at the left

Brookes,

Donald Scott

20.04.1900

Rugby, Leicestershire

-

(03?).1968

Hatfield district, Hertfordshire

Sq.Ldr.

01.10.1936 [17155]

(WS) W/Cdr.

09.12.1944

(T) Gp.Capt.

? (retd 09.10.1946)

19.03.1919

first commission

qualified at specialist engineering course

Brookes,

Hugh Hamilton

Son of late W. H. Brookes and of Evelyn, daughter of J. Forster Hamilton (she married 2nd Sir John

Simpson, KBE, CIE).

Married (1932) Elsie Viola Henry; one daughter.

see: rafweb.org 14.10.1904

Andaman Islands,

Bengal

-

16.03.1988

Port Alfred, South Africa

P/O

31.07.1924 [16137]

...

...

Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1936

(T) W/Cdr.

01.01.1940

(T) Gp.Capt. 01.12.1941

W/Cdr.

14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940

...

...

Air Vice Marshal

01.01.1953 (retd 10.11.1958)

CB

10.06.1954

?

CBE

07.06.1951

?

DFC

08.12.1944

?

MID

06.05.1932

?

MID

24.09.1941

?

Education: Bedford School; Cranwell; psa

...

-

...

...

1939

-

1940

Commanding Officer, 39 Squadron RAF (Western Desert)

1940

-

1941

Air Staff, HQ British Forces in Aden

21.11.1941

-

1942

Staff Officer (Air), Army HQ West Africa

11.1942

-

1943

Commander, 298 Wing RAF

1943

-

1946?

Commander, RAF Breighton

...

-

...

...

Brothers,

Peter Malam

Son of late John Malam Brothers; married 1939, Annette, daughter of late James Wilson; three daughters. 30.09.1917

-

18.12.2008

Hungerford, Berkshire

(A) P/O

23.03.1936 [37668]

P/O

27.01.1937

F/O

27.10.1938

(A) F/Lt.

02.03.1939

F/Lt.

03.09.1940

(A) Sq.Ldr.

23.06.1941

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1941

(WS) Sq.Ldr.

02.01.1943

Sq.Ldr.

02.06.1949

(A) W/Cdr.

02.10.1942

(T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1945 (retd 28.03.1947)

Gp.Capt.

1959?

A/Cdre.

1965? (retd 1973)

CBE 13.06.1964 HM's Birthday 64 DSO 03.11.1944 * DFC 13.09.1940 ** DFC 15.06.1943 ***

* Wing Commander Brothers is a courageous and outstanding leader whose splendid example has inspired all. He has led large formations of aircraft on many missions far into enemy territory. Much of the success obtained can be attributed to Wing Commander Brothers brilliant leadership. He has destroyed 13 enemy aircraft.

** During an offensive patrol in August, 1940, this officer's flight encountered about one hundred enemy aircraft. He led the flight in attack against them, but before this could be pressed home, he was himself attacked by a number of Messerschmitt 110's. Turning to meet them, he found himself in a stalled position; he spun out of it and immediately sighted and engaged a Dornier 215 which he shot down. Later in the day he destroyed a Messerschmitt 109. Altogether Flight Lieutenant Brothers has destroyed seven enemy aircraft. He has at all times displayed great courage and initiative.

*** This officer has displayed outstanding keenness and efficiency. Within recent months he has led a wing in many operations and, by his skilful work and personal example, has contributed in a large measure to the high standard of operational efficiency of the formation. He has displayed great devotion to duty. Education: North Manchester School (Br. of Manchester Grammar); RAF Staff College (psa, 1954)

23.03.1936

short service commission RAF, General Duties Branch

11.10.1936

32 Squadron

09.09.1940

257 Squadron (RAF Biggin Hill)

16.12.1940

55 Operational Training Unit

20.06.1941

Commanding Officer, 457 Squadron

27.01.1942

transferred to reserve (RAFO)

20.06.1942

Commanding Officer, 602 Squadron

02.10.1942

RAF Station Tangmere (Tangmere Fighter Wing Leader)

02.04.1943

52 Operational Training Unit

29.07.1943

61 Operational Training Unit

22.11.1943

Staff HQ 10 Group

01.04.1944

HQ Air Defence of Great Britain

04.04.1944

RAF Station Milfield

23.04.1944

RAF Station Exeter (Exeter Wing Leader)

24.04.1944

RAF Station Culshead

08.10.1944

Special Duties List, USA (US Command and General Staff School)

07.02.1945

-

1946

Central Fighter Establishment

28.03.1947

retired

20.07.1940

16.08.1940

18.08.1940

18.08.1940

24.08.1940

15.09.1940 16 victories:

1 Bf 109

1 Bf 110

1 Do 215

1 Bf 109

1 Bf 109

½ Do 17 1947 - 1949 colonial service, Kenya 02.06.1949 recall to permanent commission 27.01.1950 - 1952 Commanding Officer, 57 Squadron 1952 - 1954 HQ 3 Group 1955 - 1957 HQ Fighter Command 1957 - 1959 Commanding Officer, Bomber Squadron 1959 - 1962 Staff Officer, SHAPE 1962 - 1965 Director of Operations (Overseas) 1965 - 1968 AOC Military Air Traffic Operations 1968 - 1973 Director of Public Relations (RAF), Ministry of Defence (Air)

Managing Director, Peter Brothers Consultants Ltd, 1973-1986. Freeman, Guild Air Pilots and Air Navigators, 1966 (Liveryman, 1968; Warden, 1971; Master, 1974-1975); Freeman, City of London, 1967. Editorial Adviser, Defence and Foreign Affairs publications, 1973-1976. Patron, Spitfire Association, Australia, 1971-; Vice-President: Spitfire Society, 1984-; Devon Emergency Volunteers, 1986-1993 (Chairman, 1981-1986); President, RBL, Halberton, 1994-. Broughton,

George William

Married Eleanor Boxall (died 02.2007, aged 88).

05.07.1923

-

04.1996

Poole, Dorset

Ldg.Acm.

? [1320371]

P/O

23.10.1942 [132879]

(WS) F/O

23.04.1943

(WS) F/Lt. 23.10.1944

F/O

03.04.1947, seniority 23.10.1943

F/Lt.

01.10.1953

Sq.Ldr.

01.01.1971 (retd 30.03.1978)

23.10.1942

commissioned, RAF [emergency commission]

03.04.1947

-

01.10.1953

extended service (8 years)

01.10.1953

permanent commission

Brown,

Anthony Malcolm

Married ((03?).1937, Bromley district, Kent) Margaret Mitchell MacPhee (12.04.1916 - 27.12.1980), daughter of Anderson MacPhee (1880-1960), and Emily Florence Dickie (1866-1951); two daughters. 27.10.1916

-

16.06.1976

Ldg.Acm. ? (A) P/O (prob) 30.03.1936 [37717] P/O 03.02.1937 F/O 03.11.1938 F/Lt. 03.09.1940 Sq.Ldr. 10.12.1946, seniority 01.09.1945

25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1944 (T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1946-01.11.1947, seniority 01.07.1944 W/Cdr. 01.07.1952 (retd 01.10.1968)

DFC 26.09.1941 ? MID 24.09.1941 ?

30.03.1936 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] flying Lysanders with 208 Sqn when shot down in North Africa in 1941, was eventually interned in Stalag Luft 3 and released in 1945 03.02.1942 transferred to reserve (and called up for Air Force service) 10.12.1946 permanent commission

Brown,

Eric William

Son of Henry Daniel and Ada Brown.

Husband of Doreen Margaret Brown, of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. 1915 ?

-

24.10.1943

(KIA) [age 28]

[Rome War Cemetery, Italy, II.E.9]

(A) P/O 05.09.1937 [40074] P/O 12.07.1938 F/O 12.02.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 12.02.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1942

05.09.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 12.07.1941 transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service) ? - 24.10.1943 150 Squadron RAF

Brown,

Maurice Peter

Son of Alf Brown (1885-1970), and Gertrude Ellen Christie (1885-1955).

Married ((03?).1940, St Pancras district, London) Violet Winifred Smith (10.03.1922 - 03.06.2006); two sons. 17.06.1919

St Pancras district, London

-

20.01.2011

Wilmslow, Cheshire

P/O 04.06.1938 [40796] F/O 03.09.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 03.09.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1944

AFC 01.01.1946 ?

04.06.1938 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] pliot, 81 Squadron RAF 09.1939 - 27.09.1940 pliot, 611 Squadron RAF (Duxford) 28.09.1940 - 27.06.1941 pliot, 41 Squadron RAF (flying Hurricanes & Spitfires) total score: three confirmed victories 28.06.1941 Flight Commander, 61 Operational Training Unit (Heston) 04.04.1942 transferred, Royal Air Force Reserve of Officers (and called up for air force service)

Published: Honour restored : Dowding, the Battle of Britain and the fight for freedom (2005). Brownrigg,

Henry Charles

11.01.1909

-

2004

[age 95]

Sgt.

? [508984]

(A) P/O (prob.)

? [47522]

P/O (prob.)

04.03.1942

F/O (prob.)

01.10.1942, backdated 19.12.1941, seniority 19.06.1941

Fl.Lt.

31.10.1946, seniority 01.09.1945

A/Sq.Ldr.

? (retd 11.01.1964)

1928

joined RAF as a clerk

19.12.1941

first commission RAF, Equipment Branch [emergency commission]

early 1940s

served in Egypt

1942

HQ Bengal Command (Equipment)

31.10.1946

extended service commission

1946

HQ Reserve Command 20.12.1948

permanent commission

1950

commanding maintenance unit, Malta

1950

Air Ministry (Equipment)

21.10.1955

transferred to Branch List

1959 air movements, Changi, Singapore

1961

-

1963

senior equipment officer of RAF stations

Bruce,

Robert Samuel

11.12.1890

-

15.09.1976

Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames district, Surrey

Sq.Ldr.

01.07.1936 [13219]

(T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940 (retd 11.12.1945)

MBE

?

?

01.04.1918

first commission RAF

qualified at specialist armament course

11.12.1945

-

26.08.1946

re-employed on active service

Bruxner-Randall,

Julien Walter Lowndes

Only son of Lt. Walter George Bruxner-Randall, and Dorothy Marguerite Montgomery, of Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, Irish Republic & Manyika Estate, Thika, Kenya Colony. 25.08.1920

Blaby district, Leicestershire

-

02.05.1941

[age 20]

[Kirk Malew (St Malew) Churchyard Extension, row W, collective grave 10]

[commemorated at a stained glass window, Thurlaston]

P/O 23.12.1939 [33534] (WS) F/O 23.12.1940

Education: Aldro School, Shackleford, Surrey; RAF College, Cranwell (Cranwell First Prize Cadetship, 1939).

23.12.1939 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 02.05.1941 pilot (with co-pilot P/O V.B. Dewhurst, RAFVR) on a Botha on training flight from his base at St. Annes Lancs; it came down in the sea just a few hundred yards from the coast of the Isle of Man (Port St. Mary)

Bryant,

Walter Edward George

Son of Walter Edwin Bryant (1861-1924), and Amy Louise Mumford (1869-1962).

Married Sybil Mary Prout (12.12.1899- 06.1971), of Hove, Sussex; one daughter.

see: rafweb.org

21.06.1893

St Saviour Southwark, London, Surrey -

22.08.1945

[Saint Andrew Churchyard

Cranwell, Lincolnshire, 2.D.21]

...

...

Gp.Capt.

01.11.1938

...

...

A/Cdre. ?

MBE

03.06.1919

?

Education: psa

09.02.1938

-

(10.1940)

Air Attaché, Tokyo

Buchanan,

John Kenneth

"Buck"

Only son of Mr & Mrs W.A. Buchanan, of Southsea. 19.03.1918

Southsea

-

16.02.1944

(MPK) [age 25]

[Alamein Memorial, Egypt, column 279]

(A) P/O (prob) 03.05.1937[39628] F/O 01.12.1939 F/Lt. 01.12.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (A) W/Cdr. ?

DSO 29.01.1943 * DFC 30.07.1940 ? DFC 07.04.1942 ? MID 24.09.1941 ? MID 01.01.1943 ? CdeG 01.02.1944 ?

* This officer has participated in a very large number of sorties, involving bombing attacks against many countries occupied by the enemy. He arrived in Malta in November, 1942, and, within the next 14 days, led his squadron in 6 bombing attacks on enemy shipping. During these operations, Wing Commander Buchanan destroyed 6 enemy aircraft in combat. He is a magnificent leader whose great skill and fine fighting qualities have been of incalculable value.

Gained aviator's licence (13517) on 04.01.1936, taken on a Gipsy Moth 80 h.p. at the Portsmouth Aero Club.

03.05.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 09.06.1937 No. 8 Flying Training School (Montrose) 27.11.1937 - ? 101 Squadron RAF (Bicester) (flew Boulton Paul Overstrand bombers, then Blenheim I's) ? - 1940 37 Squadron RAF (flew Wellingtons) 1940 - 11.1941 14 Squadron RAF (Sudan, Eritrea, Egypt, Iraq) (flew Blenheim IV's) 01.03.1941 transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) 11.1941 - 05.1942 Commanding Officer, 14 Squadron RAF (Western Desert) 11.1942 - 06.1943 Commanding Officer, 272 Squadron RAF (flew Beaufighters) 10.1943 - 16.02.1944 Commanding Officer, 227 Squadron RAF (Berka, Libya) [shot down off the coast of Greece]

Buckle,

Neville Raby

04.06.1902

-

14.02.1981

P/O

06.01.1926 [22106]

F/O

08.08.1927

F/Lt.

30.06.1931

Sq.Ldr.

01.04.1937

(T) W/Cdr.

01.03.1940

(WS) W/Cdr.

01.09.1942

W/Cdr.

20.11.1942, seniority 01.10.1941

(T) Gp.Capt.

01.03.1942

(WS) Gp.Capt.

01.04.1945

Gp.Capt.

01.10.1946

(A) A/Cdre.

? (retd 02.12.1947)

MVO

?

?

Budd,

Ernest Osborne

(09?).1901

Newport, Monmouthshire

-

03.01.1962

Patrick Stead Hospital, Halesworth, Suffolk (formerly of Wissett, Suffolk)

(T) Wt.Offr. ? [346216] F/O (prob) 23.05.1940 [43895] ... ...

23.05.1940 commissioned, RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission] (08.1941) staff, Officers' School RAF

Bullock,

Kenneth John

"Ken"

1921/22 ?

St Helens, Lancashire

-

Sgt. ? [553917] P/O (prob) 06.03.1943 [51502] (WS) F/O (prob) 06.09.1943 (WS) F/Lt. 06.03.1945

DFC 17.08.1943 ?

06.03.1943 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] (1943) wireless operator/air gunner, 10 Squadron RAF (DFC)

Worked for Pilkington’s Glass. Bullock,

William Charles Penry

Son (with two sisters) of Dr Charles Penry Bullock (1862-1933), and Frances Elizabeth Griffith (1870-1941).

Engaged (12.1941) Besse Green, daughter of Mr & Mrs G. Green, of Sprowston, Norfolk. (06?).1900

Oswestry, Shropshire

-

02.04.1950

Arfryn Dolywern, Denbighshire, Wales

P/O 01.11.1922, seniority 01.11.1921 [05082] F/O 20.11.1923, seniority 01.05.1923 F/Lt. 10.10.1928 Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1936 (T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1940 W/Cdr. 14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940 (retd 19.01.1945; own request)

Education: University of Manchester (BSc Div. II 1922); qualified at specialist armament course.

01.11.1922 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 04.01.1924 RAF Base Leuchars 1926 - 1927 HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier) (for flying & armament duties) (Mediterranean) 29.08.1928 HQ No. 10 Group RAF (Lee-on-Solent) 27.11.1929 RAF Depot Uxbridge torpedo course 1930 - 1933 36 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron RAF (Singapore) 1934 - 1937 Air Armament School, Eastchurch 01.02.1937 - (02.)1939 HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier) (for armament duties) 1939 - 06.1940 Commanding Officer, 233 Squadron RAF

Burchall,

Percival Russell

(03?).1888

Ashton under Lyne, Cheshire

-

09.11.1950

Hammersmith, Surrey

Prob. 2nd Lt.

03.10.1915 [01127]

2nd Lt.

21.11.1915

Lt.

?

T/Capt.

?

T/Maj.

10.03.1918-...

Sq.Ldr. (retd)

01.04.1918

(T) W/Cdr.

? (retd 19.03.1946)

OBE

?

?

03.10.1915

commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps (Special Reserve)

10.03.1918

-

?

Commandant, School of Photography, Royal Flying Corps

?

-

?

?

Burnand,

Lewis George

14.05.1913

Mountmellick, Ireland -

14.08.1949

Hampshire

(A) P/O (prob)

18.05.1936 [37847]

P/O

23.03.1937

F/O

23.10.1938

(A) F/Lt.

15.07.1939

F/Lt.

03.09.1940

(T) Sq.Ldr.

01.12.1941

(WS) Sq.Ldr.

20.04.1942

Sq.Ldr.

01.09.1945

25.02.1947, seniority 01.01.1941

(A) W/Cdr.

?

(T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1944, seniority 01.01.1944

(WS) W/Cdr.

21.11.1945

(A) Gp.Capt.

?

OBE

01.01.1946

New Year 46

DFC

15.07.1941

*

MID

24.09.1941

?

MID

08.06.1944

?

Greek Distinguished Flying Cross, 29.12.1942

* This officer has carried out numerous tactical and artillery reconnaissances in Egypt, Libya and Greece. Since December, 1940, he has flown alone on 62 of these missions over or well behind the enemy's lines, often subjected to intense fire from the ground defences. During the operations in Greece, his work was carried out under extremely difficult conditions. Flight Lieutenant Burnand has displayed great skill and keenness which, combined with his untiring efforts have contributed materially to the high standard of morale and efficiency of his flight.

18.05.1936

commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]

23.03.1940

transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)

(1940)

-

(1941)

208 Squadron RAF

01.09.1945

permanent commission

Burnett,

[Sir] Brian Kenyon

10.03.1913

Hyderabad, India -

16.09.2011

P/O (prob) 27.06.1932 [36010] P/O 29.09.1934, seniority 29.09.1933 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1939 ... ... Air Chief Marshal 07.10.1967 (retd 11.03.1972)

27.06.1932 commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch) 29.09.1934 permanent commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) ... - ... ...

Published: A pilot at Wimbledon : the memoirs of Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burnett GCB, DFC, AFC (2009)

Burrell,

Dennis Samuel Martin

Son of Wilfred Burrell, and Bertha Daisy West.

Married ((09?).1939, Oxford district, Oxfordshire) Marjorie May le Dieu Griggs ((06?.1914 - ), of Oxhey, Watford, Hertfordshire, daughter of Charles H. Griggs, and Annie R. Branton Le Dieu. 06.09.1914

Northleach district, Gloucestershire -

19.09.1939

(KIA) [age 25][Montrose (Sleepyhillock) Cemetery, Angus, Scotland, section 7, grave 9]

(A) P/O (prob) 09.08.1937 [39964] P/O 24.05.1938

Middlesex County Cricketer.

09.08.1937 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 21.08.1937 