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

 

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Hackett,
John Jefferson
J.J. Hackett 		?
-
1999
Kent
Cpl.
 		? [749677]
P/O (prob)
 		19.05.1944 [165252]
P/O
 		19.11.1944
(WS) F/O
 		19.11.1944
19.05.1944

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Hallows,
Brian Roger Wakefield
B.R.W. Hallows B.R.W. Hallows		 03.06.1916
-
09.2004
North Walsham,
Norfolk
P/O
 		07.03.1940 [77787]
F/Lt.
 		?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 ?
 ?



commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
Hanbury,
Osgood Villiers
"Pedro"
O.V. Hanbury
 Son of Maj. Philip Hanbury and Dorothy Maude Hanbury, of Herriard, Hampshire; husband of Cecil Patricia Hanbury.		 1918 ?
-
03.06.1943
(KIA) [age 25]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 200]
Sgt.
 		? [742867]
P/O (prob)
 		30.06.1940 [81357]
 [17.04.1941, seniority 30.08.1940]
P/O
 		30.08.1941
(WS) F/O
 		30.08.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
 		23.06.1942
(A) Sq.Ldr.
 		?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
 30.04.1943
 *
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 22.05.1942
 **
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 28.07.1942
 **
* [Personal No. is given here as 91537.] This officer is an inspiring leader whose courageous example has contributed materially to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands. In operations covering the great advance from El Alamein, Squadron Leader Hanbury led formations of aircraft with great skill, attacking and harassing the enemy with destructive effect. In attacks on the enemy's dispositions near Ksar Rhilane and at El Hamma, Squadron Leader Hanbury exhibited great dash. His fearlessness, efficiency and unswerving devotion to duty have been worthy of the highest praise.
** In April, 1942, this officer led a successful sortie against an enemy force of bombers, escorted by fighters, which attempted to raid Tobruk. At least 4 of the raiding aircraft were destroyed, of which Squadron Leader Hanbury destroyed 1. This officer continued to engage the enemy until his aircraft was so extensively damaged that he was compelled to land. Throughout, he displayed magnificent leadership and courage. Squadron Leader Hanbury has destroyed at least 5 enemy aircraft.
*** This officer continues to display outstanding skill, courage and fine leadership. Under his leadership his squadron has inflicted heavy losses on the enemy both in air combat and on the ground. During a recent sortie he led a formation as escort to our bombers, far behind the enemy lines, and heavy damage was caused. All our bombers returned safely.
03.09.1940
 -
 		?
 		602 Squadron RAF



flew Spitfire X4882
(1942)
 -
 		(1943)
 		Commanding Officer, 260 Squadron RAF
?
 -
 		03.06.1943
 		117 Squadron RAF (killed in action)

15.09.1940
21.09.1940
30.09.1940
30.10.1944
     total of 11 victories:
1 Do 17
½ Ju 88
1 Ju 88
1 Bf 109, etc.
Harvey,
Guy Thomas
G.T. Harvey
Son of Colonel Francis George Harvey, CBE, DSO (1872-1944), and Angela Harvey, of Southern Rhodesia.
 		1901 ?
-
01.08.1944
[age 43]
[Llantwitfardre (St Illtyd) Churchyard, grave A4]
Acm. 2nd cl.
 		? [777820]
(A) P/O (prob)
 		27.06.1941, seniority 23.05.1941 [80280]
P/O (prob)
 		27.08.1941, seniority 23.07.1941
P/O
 		27.06.1942
(WS) F/O
 		27.08.1942, seniority 23.07.1942
Mentioned in Despatches MID
 01.01.1943
 ?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
 02.06.1943
 ?
27.06.1941

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
Hay,
Jack Valentine
J.V. Hay (Photo courtesy of Ms Rhona Hay)

His daughter writes: "He was sent to France in August 1914. Since he spoke fluent French it is believed he was a despatch rider (with his motorbicycle !!) between the British (?) Army and the French (?) Army prior to the Battle of the Marne. He was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by the French in 1914, and until he joined the RFC he was in "Intelligence". He was posted to France in 1939. In May 1940 he claimed that the squadron escaped because he remembered the old cavalry tracks between Abbeville and Amiens! After 1954 he worked with Group Captain Horner, Air Training Corps (Ox and Bucks Wing) in Oxford. Some of his papers are in the Imperial War Museum; other artefacts/photos in the RAF Museum, Hendon." 		19.11.1893
Inverness, Scotland
-
07.04.1978
T/Lt.
 		?
Lt.
 		01.04.1918
A/Capt.
 		30.09.1918 (unemployed list 15.04.1919)
F/O (Obs)
 		08.02.1917
F/O (prob) RAFO
 		18.09.1923 [70287]
F/O RAFO
 		18.03.1924
?, seniority 04.09.1922
F/Lt.
 		01.09.1939
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
 		01.04.1946
(T) W/Cdr.
 		01.01.1946 (reld 10.02.1954)
Légion d'Honneur (France) LegH
 1914
 ?



Temporary Lieutenant, General List (Army) (served in France as a despatch rider prior to the Battle of the Marne(09. 1914 liaising with French 2nd Army; served afterwards for 2½ years in intelligence, chiefly on Centre espionage)
08.02.1917
 -
 		15.04.1919
 		served as Observer, Royal Flying Corps
18.09.1923
 -
 		30.01.1945
 		transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch) - Class "B", from 18.09.1927 Class "C"
01.09.1939

first commission, RAFVR (Administrative & Special Duties Branch (for administrative duties))
1939

posted to France; squadron escaped to UK (05.1940)
After 1954 served in the Air Training Corps (Ox and Bucks Wing) in Oxford.
Hedger,
John Henry
"Jack"
C.S. Hill 		15.04.1923
-
26.11.2007
P/O
 		13.12.1942 [135738]
...
 		...
Gp.Capt.
 		01.07.1973 (retd 31.03.1978)
13.12.1942

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)



permanent commission, RAF
Herrick,
Peter Gershom
P.G. Herrick
Son of Frank Duncan and Flora de Bathe Herrick, of Herbertville, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Cousin of Capt. T.D. Herrick, RN (and his siblings).

see also: New Zealands Roll of honour
 		1921
Wellington, New Zealand
-
25.09.1941
 [age 20]
[Brookwood Military Cemetery, 2.D.7]
Ldg.Acm.
 		? [908349]
P/O (prob)
25.11.1940 [88246]

1939-1945 Star; Aircrew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-1945; New Zealand War Medal

25.11.1940

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
 -
 		25.09.1941
 		245 Squadron RAF
[his aircraft [Hurricane IIB BD738] possibly on weather test and collided with another of its kind]
Hill,
Colin Stewart
C.S. Hill 		?
-
P/O (prob)
 		28.01.1941 [60625]
F/Lt.
 		?
(A) Sq.Ldr.
 		?
28.01.1941

first commission, RAFVR (Administrative & Special Duties Branch)
?
 -
 		10.02.1954
 		Emergency List
Holderness,
Harold Hardwicke Clarke
H.H.C. Holderness

Telegrapgh obituary 		06.01.1915
Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
-
21.03.2007
P/O
 		26.09.1939 [74351]
...
 		.
W/Cdr.
 		?
26.09.1939

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
Holtrop,
Hilbrand Gerrit
H.G. Holtrop
Of Dutch descent.
Son of Jan and Gertrude Holtrop, of Hengelo, the Netherlands.
Husband of Winifred Louie Holtrop, of Bath, Somerset.
 		21.01.1911
Hengelo, Overijssel, the Netherlands
-
10.06.1944
North Sea
(KIA) [age 33]
[Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, 22.D.8]
(WS) F/O
? [124272]
Emigrated to South Africa, 1936.



served Dutch Air Force ("Militaire Luchtvaart") as Reserve 2e Luitenant-Vlieger
?
 -
 		10.06.1944
 		seconded to 219 Squadron RAF (RAF Bradwell Bay)
[crashed with his plane, a Mosquito NF.XVII [HK358] during a defensive patrol over the Channel]
Hopgood,
John Vere
"Hoppy"
 J.V. Hopgood 
Son of Harold Burn Hopgood and Grace Hopgood, of Seaford, Sussex.
 29.08.1921
London
-
17.05.1943
(KIA) [age 21]
[Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany, collective grave 17.E.2-6]
Ldg.Acm.
 		12.08.1940 [1182427]
P/O (prob)
 		16.02.1941 [61281]
P/O
 		16.02.1942
(WS) F/O
 		16.02.1942
(A) F/Lt.
 		?
(WS) F/Lt.
 		16.02.1943
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 27.10.1942
 for flying 32 operations
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 12.01.1943
 for flying 45 operations
12.08.1940

No. 12 Initial Training Wing RAF (St Andrews?)
21.09.1940

No. 50 Pool RAF
30.10.1940

RAF Cranwell
16.02.1941

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
22.02.1941

No. 2 Navigation School RAF
26.04.1941

No. 14 Operational Training Unit RAF
10.07.1941

50 Squadron RAF
24.10.1941

No. 25 Operational Training Unit
25.02.1942

pilot, 106 Squadron RAF
04.11.1942

No. 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF
31.03.1943
 -
 		17.05.1943
 		pilot, 617 Squadron RAF
[took off in his Lancaster III [ED925 AJ-M] at 21.39 hrs at Scampton for Operation Chastise, tasked to bomb the Möhne dam; was hit by flak while approaching the target before being crippled by the blast from its own weapon which overshot and exploded beyond the parapet; crashed at 00.34 hrs at Ostönnen, 6 km ESE of Werl]
Horrex,
Edwin Philip Andrew
E.P.A. Horrex
Son of Gp.Capt. Charles Edwin Horrex, RAF.
Married; at least one daughter.
 12.12.1920
-
10.1996
Tower Hamlets,
London
F/Sgt.
 		? [1313144]
P/O (prob)
 		28.04.1942 [121093]
(WS) F/O (prob)
 		28.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt.
28.04.1944 (reld 28.09.1945; medical unfitness)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
 02.06.1944
 gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy *
* As pilot and observer respectively, Squadron Leader Harrison and Flying Officer Horrex have completed a large number of sorties. They have invariably displayed a high standard of skill, courage and determination, and have destroyed 3 enemy aircraft at night; they have also severely damaged several locomotives. These officers have set a fine example of keenness and devotion to duty.
28.04.1942

first commission, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
 		-
 		22.07.1944
 		observer, 151 Squadron RAF
[crash-landed in France with his Mosquito VI [PZ218], piloted by Sq.Ldr. R.H. Harrison, while on an evening "ranger" mission to the St Felix area; was captured, but repatriated by American forces some 2 months later]
09.03.1945

transferred to Administrative and Special Duties Branch
Howell,
[Sir] Ralph Frederic
R.F. Howell
Married (1950) Margaret (née Bone); two sons, one daughter.
 		25.05.1923
-

Wendling, Dereham, Norfolk
Wt.Offr.
 		? [1335288]
P/O (prob)
29.04.1945 [197358]
P/O
 		29.10.1945
(WS) F/O
 		29.10.1945
- Kt
 1993
 ?
Education: Diss Grammar School, Norfolk
1941
 -
 		1946
 		Navigator/Bomb­aimer, RAF
29.04.1945

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Farmer, 1946-. Member, European Parliament, 1974-1979. MP (C) N Norfolk, 1970-1997. Member: Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee, 1981-1987; Select Committee on Employment, 1994-1997. Vice-Chairman, Conservative Parliamentary Finance Committee, 1979-1984; Chairman: Conservative Parliamentary Employment Committee, 1984-1987; Conservative Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, 1988; Member Executive, 1922 Committee, 1984-1990; Member, Council of Europe and WEU, 1987-1997.
Published: Why Work, 1976, 2nd edn 1981; Why Not Work, 1991; Putting Britain Back to Work, 1995
Hussey,
Robert Charles
"Bob"
R.C. Hussey
Married Joy A. Hussey; one son (Maj.Gen. Paul R. Hussey. OMM, CD), one daughter.
 		1922 ?
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
-
27.02.2007
London, Ont., Canada
[aged 84]
F/Sgt.
 		? [798732]
P/O (prob)
 		16.11.1943 [162504]
P/O
 		16.05.1944
(WS) F/O
 		16.05.1944
(WS) F/Lt.
 		16.11.1945 (reld 04.07.1946)
1941
 -
 		1946
 		Spitfire pilot:
26.11.1943

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



610 Squadron RAF
1952
 -
 		1974
 		re-enlisted RCAF and served as an Officer in the Ground Observer Corps and then in Air Traffic Control from 1960 until his retirement

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