Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) Officers 1939-1945 -- B

Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers
1939-1945

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For detailed biographies of key RAF personnel (Air Commodore and higher) there is already an excellent website: www.rafweb.org
Only RAF officers of ranks below Air Commodore will be shown here.

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Bale,
Leslie Arthur
L.A. Bale
Son of alderman William Henry Bale, JP, and Mabel Ada Bale (née Lawrance), of Caversham, Reading, Berkshire.

(12?).1913
Reading district, Berkshire
-
14.11.1942
(KIA) [age 29]
[Malta Memorial, panel 2, column 1]

Sgt.
? [741495]

P/O (prob)
25.05.1940, seniority 25.04.1940 [82166]

P/O
25.05.1941, seniority 25.04.1941

(WS) F/O
25.05.1941, seniority 25.04.1941

F/Lt.
25.05.1942, seniority 25.04.1942

25.05.1940

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

?
-
14.11.1942
pilot, 272 Squadron RAF (flying Beaufighters)
[he was taking part in a raid on El Aouina in Tunisia when his aircraft was shot down and he was killed]

Barry,
Joseph
J. Barry
Son of Joseph and Mary Barry, of Riddrie, Glasgow. LL.B.(Glasgow).
1907 ?
-
26.07.1944
[age 37]
[Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt, 4.F.10]

Ldg.Acm.
? [873080]

P/O (prob)
02.08.1940, seniority 16.07.1940 [83489]

(WS) F/O (prob)
15.04.1941

F/O
02.08.1941

F/Lt.
14.02.1942

(A) Sq.Ldr.
?

MID
02.06.1943
?

served in the ranks

07.03.1942

first commission, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

14.02.1942

transferred to Legal Branch

Bartlett,
Ronald William
"Ron"
R.W. Bartlett
Married a Canadian.
?
-
08.02.1945
[Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany, 2.C.16]

Ldg.Acm.
? [1258798]

P/O (prob)
25.05.1941 [67656]

P/O
25.05.1942

(WS) F/O
25.05.1942

(WS) F/Lt.
2505.1943

served in the ranks, RAFVR

25.05.1941

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

(1941)

flew Spitfires or Hurricanes

instructor at a flying training school in Canada

1944
-
08.02.1945
pilot, 61 Squadron RAF
[took off at 1652 hrs in Lancaster I, PB737 QR-E from RAF Skelligthorpe in Lincoln for an operation against Politz; he died (as only one of the crew) holding the plane steady for his crew to escape]

Barwell,
Eric Gordon
E.G. Barwell
Telegraph obituary
06.08.1913
Clare, Suffolk
-
12.12.2007

Sgt.
? [741745]

P/O (prob)
10.12.1939 [77454]

P/O
10.12.1940

(WS) F/O
10.12.1940

(WS) F/Lt.
10.12.1941

(A) Sq.Ldr.
?

(WS) Sq.Ldr.
20.12.1944 (retd 06.08.1958; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)

DFC
11.02.1941
?

DFC
15.08.1944
*

MID
01.01.1943
?

* This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and his example of keenness, determination and devotion to duty has befen worthy of the highest praise. He is a most able flight commander whose untiring efforts have been reflected in the operational efficiency of the formation he commands. Squadron Leader Barwell has destroyed 6 enemy aircraft, 2 of them at night.

10.12.1939

first commission, RAFVR [emergency commission]

(1941)

264 Squadron RAF

(1944)

125 Squadron RAF

Bass,
Reginald Frederick
R.F. Bass
Son of Frederick Thomas and Sarah Jane Bass, of Coldstream, Berwickshire.
1923 ?
-
29.06.1944
[age 21]
[Le Mesnil- Durand Communal Cemetery, France]

Sgt.
? [1086420]

P/O (prob)
07.03.1942 [122338]

(WS) F/O (prob)
01.10.1942

(WS) F/Lt.
07.03.1944

served in the ranks

07.03.1942

first commission, RAFVR [emergency commission]

05.04.1944
-
30.03.1944
33 Maintenance Unit

30.03.1944
-
29.06.1944
pilot, 222 Squadron RAF
[shot down at 08.48 hrs on a beachhead patrol in his Spitfire Mk LFIX, MK 797, by the Fw190 of Leutnant Wilhelm Hofmann, Officer Commanding 8th Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26 south west of Lisieux]

Bates,
Sidney Spencer
S.S. Bates
12.08.1911
-
08.1996
Surrey South-Western

(A) P/O (prob)
07.01.1942 [115092]

P/O (prob)
07.03.1942

(WS) F/O (prob)
01.10.1942 (emgcy list 1940s?) (reld 12.08.1956; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

(A) F/Lt. ?
?

MBE
15.12.1942
*

* Whilst on duty as Master of launch 123 on the 19th August, 1942, in company with launch 122, Pilot Officer Bates observed that launch 122 was being attacked by some six enemy aircraft and had been set on fire. In spite of the great risk incurred, Pilot Officer Bates at once went to the assistance of launch 122, and was himself attacked by enemy aircraft, but although under attack, proceeded calmly with the rescue of the survivors of launch 122. Unfortunately launch 123 was also set on fire and suffered casualties and had to be abandoned, the crew jumping into the sea. Pilot Officer Bates' devotion to duty and persistence in the face of danger were undoubtedly the cause of the saving of the lives of the surviving personnel of the other launch. Pilot Officer Bates has served at his present base for some six months and his keenness throughout has been an inspiration to officers and men alike and the example he set to his crew on this particular occasion merits the highest praise.

07.01.1942

first commission, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Baxter,
Raymond Frederic
R.F. Baxter
Son of Frederick Garfield Baxter and Rosina Baxter (née Rivers); married 1945, Sylvia Kathryn (née Johnson) (died 1996), Boston, Mass; one son, one daughter.

Guardian obituary
25.01.1922
Ilford, Essex
-
15.09.2006
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading

Sgt.
? [1393158]

P/O (prob)
20.06.1943 [156134]

(WS) F/O (prob)
20.12.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
20.06.1945

MID
01.01.1946
?

Education: Ilford County High School

1940
-
1945
served RAFVR (flew Spitfires in UK, Med. and Europe)

20.06.1943

first comission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)

65 Squadron RAF

(1943)
-
1944
93 Squadron RAF

1944
-
09.1944
61 Operational Training Unit

09.1944

602 Squadron RAF

Broadcaster and writer. Entered Forces Broadcasting in Cairo, still as serving officer, 1945; civilian deputy Dir BFN BBC, 1947-1949; subseq. short attachment West Region and finally joined Outside Broadcast Dept, London; with BBC until 1966; Dir, Motoring Publicity, BMC, 1967-1968. Member Cttee of Management: RNLI, 1979- (Vice Pres., 1987-); Air League, 1980-1985. Hon. Freeman, City of London, 1978; Liveryman, GAPAN, 1983 (Award of Merit, 1994-1995). Hon. Admiral, Assoc. of Dunkirk Little Ships, 1982-. CRAeS 1991.
Published: (with James Burke and Michael Latham) Tomorrow's World, Vol. 1, 1970, Vol. 2, 1971; Farnborough Commentary, 1980; film commentaries, articles and reports on motoring and aviation subjects, etc.

Bellerby,
Peter Alfred
P.A. Bellerby 27.12.1920
Chesterton district, Cambridgeshire
-
06.11.2007
York ?

Wt.Offr.
? [1217383]

P/O (prob)
04.06.1945 [199333]

...
...

Gp.Capt.
01.07.1971 (retd 30.04.1974)

04.06.1945

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

pilot, Coastal Command

permanent commission, RAF

...
-
...
...

Best,
Charles Brian
C.B. Best
Son of Thomas Henry Lark Best and Elsie Brown.
1916 ?
Willoughby, Sydney, NSW, Australia
-
16.09.1944
[Reichswald Forest Cemetery, Germany, joint grave 26, C, 10-11]

(A) P/O (prob)
14.12.1938 [41366]

P/O (prob)
03.09.1939

P/O
06.10.1939

F/O
03.09.1940

(A) F/Lt.
?

(A) Sq.Ldr.
?

DFC
22.10.1940
for carrying out 26 operational flights *

* During night operations late in 1940 against enemy invasion bases, Best showed great ingenuity and foresight in planning his missions. His courage and initiative had been of the highest order, and the results achieved were highly successful.
Airline pilot in Canada.

14.12.1938

joined RAF - General Duties Branch [short service commission]

(1940)

40 Squadron RAF

?
-
16.09.1944
Squadron Leader (Pilot), 515 Squadron RAF
[crashed with his Mosquito VI PZ184 3P- at 02.54 hrs some 5 km N of Achmer, a village 5 km WSW from Bransche on a bomber support mission to Germany]

Blundell,
Geoffrey Norman
G.N. Blundell (Photo courtesy of Mr Richard Blundell)
Son of Bt. Col. Charles Wilson Blundell, OBE, TD, and Annie Kate Sydenham.
Brother of Lt.Cdr. Charles Sydenham Blundell, RNVR.
Married (1939); two sons, two daughters.
19.09.1916
-
10.10.1985

P/O (prob)
10.10.1939 * [75039]

P/O
10.10.1940

(WS) F/O
10.10.1940

(A?) F/Lt.
?

* Oct 1940 Air Force List gives seniority 02.12.1939

10.10.1939

commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative abd Special Duties Branch) (for special duties) [emergency commission]

24.04.1940

transferred, Technical Branch

served as an aeronautical engineer in North Africa and Malta

Boiston,
John Rochester
J.R. Boiston
Son of Lt.Cdr. William Rochester Boiston, RN, and Edith Boiston of Gillingham, Kent, England.
1920 ?
-
29.07.1942
[age 22]
[Estevan Cemetery, Sask., Canada, sec. 8, plot 1, lot 12]

Flt.Sgt.
? [741832]

P/O (prob)
06.10.1942, seniority 01.06.1942 [129507]

01.06.1942

emergency commission

06.1942?
-
29.07.1942
No. 38 Service Flying Training School (RAF) in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada
[killed in a Menasco Moth accident at 11 a.m., 29 July]

Boodrie,
James Clinton
J.C. Boodrie (Photo courtesy of Mr Jim Boodrie)
Son of Joseph Charles and Nellie Boodrie.
Husband of Dora Boodrie, of St. Albans.
1918 ?
-
15.01.1943
[age 25]
[St Albans Cemetery, L.D.31]

Sgt.
? [1160663]

P/O (prob)
14.08.1942 [128460]

served in the ranks, RAFVR

14.08.1942

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

Booker,
Noel David
N.D. Booker

1920 ?
-
16.02.2007
[age 87]

Ldg.Acm.
? [785099]

P/O (prob)
16.01.1943 [136195]

(WS) F/O (prob)
16.07.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
16.01.1945 (reld 08.10.1946)

1942

served in the ranks, RAFVR

16.01.1943
-
08.10.1946
commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

289 Squadron RAF

134 Squadron RAF

5 Squadron RAF (Burma)

Boyle,
Charles Vesey
C.V. Boyle

07.02.1915
Dublin
-
03.03.2007
Exmouth, Devon

P/O (prob)
22.10.1941 [109538]

(WS) F/O (prob)
01.10.1942

(WS) F/Lt.
22.10.1943

(A) Sq.Ldr.
?

DFC
21.08.1945
?

22.10.1941

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

(1945)

13 Squadron RAF

International Irish and British Lions rugby player and colonial judge.

Broom,
[Sir] Ivor Gordon
I.G. Broom

Only son of Alfred Godfrey Broom, the Superintendent District Manager for the Prudential Assurance Company, and Janet Broom.
Married (07.1942) Jess Irene Cooepr; two sons, one daughter.

02.06.1920
Cardiff, Glamorgan
-
24.01.2003
Watford, Hertfordshire

...
...

(WS) Sq.Ldr.
25.04.1945

...
...

Air Marshal
01.07.1974 (retd 06.07.1977)

for details, see: www.rafweb.org

Education: West Monmouth Grammar School; Pontypridd County School, Glamamorgan

...
-
...
...

Literature: Tony Spooner, Clean sweep : the life of Air Marshal Sir Ivor Broom, KCB, CBE, DSO, DFC and two Bars, AFC (2004)

Buchan,
John May
J.M. Buchan (Photo courtesy of Morag Buchan) 1919
Inverallochy
-

Newcastle, nr Toronto, Ont., Canada

F/Sgt.
? [1349963]

P/O (prob)
16.06.1944 [177622]

P/O
16.12.1944

(A) F/O
1944?

(WS) F/O
16.12.1944

DFC
20.02.1945
?

16.06.1944

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

(1945)

12 Squadron RAF

served in Europe, Egypt & Middle East; one of his most interesting experiences was prbably flying 16 imprisoned members of the Stern Gang, including leader Yitzak Shamir, from Cairo to Wahdi

Buckler,
Henry Wilkinson Valentine
H.W.V. Buckler 14.02.1904
Newport, Wales
-
28.03.1951

Ldg.Acm.
? [1585100]

P/O (prob)
20.04.1943 [141340]

(WS) F/O (prob)
20.10.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
20.04.1945 (reld 30.09.1945; medical unfitness for Air Force service; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

20.04.1943

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

108 Squadron RAF (Malta)
[severely burned when his Beaufighter crashed at Luqa, Malta 13/12/43; Pilot Flt.Sgt. C.H.M. Daniell was killed]

Burnell,
Aubrey William Alexander
A.W.A. Burnell (Photo courtesy of Mr Richard Mitchell)
Son of William and Gertrude A. Burnell, of Streatham, London.
(06?).1920
Wandsworth district, Greater London
-
21.07.1944
[age 24]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 210]

F/Sgt.
? [1376402]

P/O (prob)
29.05.1944 [177502]

29.05.1944

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

?
-
21.07.1944
97 Squadron RAF
[his Lancaster R for Robert- PA979 had taken off 2319 hrs from Coningsby with orders to bomb railways in the area of Courtrai and was lost without trace]

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