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

 

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Jackson,
[Prof.] Derek Ainslie
D.A. Jackson
D.A. Jackson
D.A. Jackson
D.A. Jackson
Son of late Sir Charles James Jackson.
Married 1st, Poppet John, daughter of Augustus John. Married 2nd (29.12.1936) Hon. Pamela Freeman­Mitford (marr. diss. 1951), 2nd
daughter of 2nd Baron Redesdale.
Married 3rd (1951) Janetta (marr. diss. 1956), daughter of Rev. G.H. Woolley, VC, OBE, MC and former wife of Robert Kee; one daughter.
Married 4th (1957) Consuelo
Regina Maria (marr. diss. 1959), daughter of late William S. Eyre and widow of Prince Ernst Ratibor zu Hohenlohe Schillingsfürst.
Married 5th (1966) Barbara (née Skelton, former wife of Cyril Connolly, CBE, CLit, and of A.G. (later Lord) Weidenfeld).
Married 6th (1968) Marie­Christine, daughter of Baron Georges Reille.

23.06.1906
Hampstead, London
-
20.02.1982
Lausanne, Switzerland
(A) P/O (prob)
28.06.1940 [81405]
P/O (prob)
28.07.1940
P/O
28.06.1941
(WS) F/O
28.07.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
28.07.1942
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
07.08.1943 (Emergency List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)
(A) W/Cdr.
1943
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1945
New Year 45
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
24.06.1941
*
Air Force Cross AFC
01.01.1944
?
Officer, Legion of Merit (USA) LM
25.04.1947
?
Officier, Légion d'Honneur (France) LegH
?
?

* This officer has displayed outstanding ability during recent night fighting operations.

Education: Rugby; Trinity College, Cambridge (MA Cantab and Oxon; DSc Oxon)

When war broke out Jackson joined a small group of researchers working for the Admiralty in the Clarendon but in 1940, after Winston Churchill's intervention, Lindemann released him to join the Royal Air Force. Jackson flew as a navigator from spring 1941 until summer 1942 when, at Lindemann's instigation, he was made chief airborne radar officer of Fighter Command. He was involved in trials of ‘window’, metallic chaff thrown from aeroplanes to confuse enemy radar, and especially with ways of interfering with German night defences, either by jamming their transmissions or homing onto them. All told, Jackson flew 1100 hours as a navigator on active service and on dangerous trials. For his contribution to the air war he was awarded the DFC (1941), AFC (1944), was appointed OBE (1945) for valour, and was made an officer of the Legion of Merit (USA).

28.06.1940


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1941)


604 Squadron RAF
Lecturer, 1934-47, Professor of Spectroscopy, 1947-57, University of Oxford. Research Professor, Faculté des Sciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Orsay, France. FRS, 1947.
Published: numerous papers in Proceedinigs of the  Royal Society, Journal de Physique, Physical Review, Zeitschrift für Physik.

Literature
: Simon Courtauld, As I was going to St Ives : a life of Derek Jackson (2007)
James,
Horace Gordon
H.G. James
Son of Harry Gordon James and Lilian May James, of Isleworth, Middlesex.
11.01.1915
Fulham, Greater London, Middlesex
-
05.07.1942
(KIA) [age 27]
[El Alamein War Cemetery, IV.E.29]
Sgt.
? [1204245]
P/O (prob)
07.05.1942 [137564]
27.09.1940


enlisted, RAFVR
?
-
16.12.1941
No. 61 Operational Training Unit (Heston)
16.12.1941
-
07.05.1942
145 Squadron RAF (Yorkshire & Middle East)
07.05.1942


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
07.05.1942
-
05.07.1942
145 Squadron RAF (Middle East)
[killed in a Mk VB Spitfire number AB411 due to oxygen failure]
James,
Reginald William
R.W. James
Son of Percy Edgar James (1886-1918), and Mabel Rachel Postle (1883-1930), of Norwich, Norfolk.
Husband of Phyllis Katherine James, of Norwich.
10.1912
Norwich, Norfolk
-
07.10.1944
(KIA) [age 32]
[Noorderbegraaf- plaats Vlissingen (Northern Cemetery, Flushing), The Netherlands, H.25]
Wt.Offr.
? [904476]
P/O (prob)
01.01.1944 [182243]
P/O
01.07.1944, seniority 01.01.1944
(WS) F/O
01.07.1944
01.01.1944


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
07.10.1944
pilot, No. 2 Group RAF Communications Flight AEAF
[crashed at 12:05 hrs with his Airspeed Oxford Mk.II X7288 south of Westkapelle in the direction of Zoutelande, Walcheren, the Netherlands. This loss was reported by the Naval Commander Southern Holland [Seekommandant Südholland]: "12:05. A Dakota shot down by the 1st gun of the 6th Battery of the Naval Anti-Aircraft Battalion 815 [I. Geschütz / 6. Batterie / Marine-Flak-Abteilung 815]. Crashed in the battery grounds of the Zoutelande Battery [Marineküstenbatterie Zoutelande]". This was based on a report by the Anti-Aircraft Commander Flushing [Flak-Kommandeur Vlissingen] who got the message in at 12:35 from the 7th Battery of the Naval Coastal Artillery Battalion 202 north of Zoutelande [7. Batterie / Marine-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilung 202] that additionally reported: "Crew burnt."]
Jarvis,
Ronald Austin
"Ronnie"
R.A. Jarvis
Son of Louis and Sarah Jarvis, of Mayfair London.
Of Jewish descent.
1914 ?
-
12.09.1941
(MPK) [age 27]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 29]
Sgt.
? [902510]
P/O (prob)
27.05.1941 [67047]
(A) F/Lt.
?
05.09.1939
-
26.05.1941
enlisted service, RAFVR
[wing man to Robert R.Stanford Tuck, later joining up with Sir Maxwell Aitken]
27.05.1941


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
12.09.1941
257 Squadron RAF
[18.08.1941 damaged a Ju 88 East of Happisburgh; 22.08.1941 shared the destruction of a He 111 East of Winterton] [missing, presumed killed in action while flying a Hurricane II on a cover patrol; the aircraft failed to return early afternoon]
Jennings,
Sydney George
S.G. Jennings (Photo courtesy of Mr Richard Jennings)
Son of William Giles Jennings, and Sarah
Elizabeth Jennings.
Married (1941) Gwendoline Constance Adam; three sons, one daughter.
04.04.1907
Heston, Middlesex
-
1964
F/Sgt.
? [1241923]
P/O (prob)
18.01.1945 [190972]
P/O
20.07.1945
(WS) F/O
20.07.1945 (emgcy ?) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of F/O))
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
16.11.1945
?
18.01.1945


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1945)


flight engineer, 166 Squadron RAF
?
-
10.02.1954
Emergency List
John,
Leslie Richard
L.R. John
Son of Joseph Richard and Elizabeth Maud John, of Bargoed, Glamorgan.
1921 ?
-
20.04.1945
[age 24]
[Florence War Cemetery, Italy, IX.C.1]
Acm. 2nd cl. ? [980608]
P/O (prob) 25.03.1944 [162490]
(WS) F/O 25.09.1944
25.03.1944     commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 20.04.1945 pilot, 87 Squadron RAF
Johnson,
Charles Alfred
C.A. Johnson
Son of Richard Edgar and Ethel Johnson, of Pontypool, Monmouthshire.
1916 ?
-
25.06.1943
[age 27]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 125]
Ldg.Acm.
? [1415229]
P/O (prob)
04.12.1942 [135112]
(WS) F/O (prob)
04.06.1943
04.12.1942


commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
25.06.1943
51 Squadron RAF
[his Halifax II (JD250 MH-R) took off from Snaith at 23.13 hrs for an operation against Wuppertal; was shot sown by night-fighter (Ofw. Karl-Georg Pfeiffer of IV./NJG 1), crashing at 01.45 hrs in the sea west of Noordwijk, the Netherlands]
Johnson,
James Edgar
"Johnnie"
J,E, Johnson J,E, Johnson
Married Pauline Ingate; two sons.
09.03.1915
Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire
-
30.01.2001
High Peak, Cheshire
see: www.rafweb.org

CB 1965; CBE 1960; DSO 1943 and Bars, 1943, 1944; DFC 1941 and Bar, 1942; DL
Education Loughborough Sch.; Nottingham Univ.
Work Civil Engr and Mem. of RAFVR until 1939; served with 616 Sqdn AAF, 1940-1942; 610 Sqdn AAF, 1943; Wing Comdr Flying: Kenley, 1943; 127 Wing, 1944; Officer Comdg: 125 Wing (2nd TAF), 1944-1945; 124 Wing (2nd TAF), 1945-1946; RCAF Staff Coll., 1947-1948; USAF (Exchange Officer), 1948-1950; served Korea (with USAF), 1950-1951; OC, RAF Wildenrath (2nd TAF), 1952-1954; Air Ministry, 1954-1957; Officer Commanding, RAF Cottesmore, Bomber Command, 1957-1960; idc 1960; Senior Air Staff Officer, No 3 Group, Bomber Command, Mildenhall, Suffolk, 1960-1963; AOC, Air Forces Middle East, Aden, 1963-1965; retired. DL Leicester, 1967. Order of Leopold, 1945, Croix de Guerre, 1945 (Belgium); Legion of Merit, 1950, DFC 1943, Air Medal, 1950 (USA); Légion d'Honneur (France), 1988.
Positions Consultant, ‘Johnnie’ Johnson Housing; Director of Companies in Canada, South Africa and UK.
Publications Wing Leader, 1956; Full Circle, 1964; The Story of Air Fighting, 1985; (jtly) Glorious Summer, 1990; (jtly) Courage in the Skies, 1992; (jtly) Winged Victory, 1995.
Johnson,
[Rev.] John Cecil
J.C. Johnson
Elder son of Mr and Mrs Cecil Johnson, of Oddington, Moreton-in-Marsh.
Engaged (03.1946) Frances Jacqueline Evers, of Green Elms, Stow-on-the-Wold. Engagement broken off; she married (1947) Henry George Morton Peto (4th Baronet).
Married (07.1986, Fulham district, London) Ruth J. Broughton; one son.

20.03.1923
Moreton-in-Marsh, Oddington, Gloucestershire
-
19.02.2010
Sutton Heights, Telford, Shropshire
Ldg.Acm. ? [1386569]
P/O (prob) 07.08.1942 [127958]
(WS) F/O (prob) 07.02.1943
(WS) F/Lt. 07.08.1944 (reld 1946)
(A) Sq.Ldr. (1945)
F/O 15.05.1950 (reld 24.11.1950)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 15.10.1943 tour of operations over Tunis
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 20.04.1945 *
* This officer has completed two tours of operational duty. Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross he has attacked many major targets in Roumania, Austria, Yugoslavia and Northern Italy. Squadron Leader Johnson has achieved particular success in mine-laying operations in the River Danube. During night bombing attacks he has also shown a high standard of efficiency. This officer is a flight commander and pilot of exceptional ability and courage who has invariably set an inspiring example to all.
Education: Malvern College; Peterhouse, Cambridge University (1941; started a degree in engineering; took a degree in maths 1948).
Worked for the engineering company British Thomson-Houston in Rugby before going to university.
1941     enlisted
      flying training in Florida, USA
07.08.1942     commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1943) - (1945) pilot & Flight Commander, 104 Squadron RAF (North Africa & Foggia, Italy) (two tours of operations)
15.05.1950 - 24.11.1950 commissioned, RAFVR (Training Branch)
Teacher. Joined the clergy, 1960.
Jones,
Clement Sawyer
"Clem"
C.S. Jones
04.06.1910
Wakefield district, West Riding of Yorkshire
-
12.1994
Stroud district, Gloucestershire
Wt.Off. ?
P/O (prob) 29.09.1939 [74776]
P/O 28.09.1940
(A) F/Lt. (1940)
(T) F/Lt. ?
(WS) F/Lt. 01.11.1944
(T) Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1945
Sq.Ldr. ? (retd 04.06.1955)
Mentioned in Despatches MID 01.01.1941 ?
Mentioned in Despatches MID 01.01.1943 ?
29.09.1939     commissioned RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
24.04.1940     transferred, RAFVR (Technical Branch - Signals Officer)
1940 - 1942 served with radar on Malta
Jones,
Raymond Stewart
R.S. Jones
?
-
Wt.Off.
? [745356]
P/O (prob)
21.09.1943 [159041]
F/O
?
F/Lt.
? (reld 15.04.1946)
brtr VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR="#C0C0C0br>
21.09.1943


commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Jones,
Vernon Llewelyn Bowen
V.L.B. Jones (Photo courtesy of Mr Kelvin Youngs)
Son of ... Jones, and ... Bowen.
(09?).1921
Pontardawe district, Breconshire / Glamorgan
-
24.02.1944
(KIA) [age 22]
[Marly Communal Cemetery, France, grave 4]
Ldg.Acm.
? [1315317]
P/O (prob)
06.11.1942 [133632]
(WS) F/O (prob)
06.05.1943
06.11.1942


commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
24.02.1944
pilot, 100 Squadron RAF
[Took off in his Lancaster Mk. III [JB604 HW-S] from Grimsby 18.30 hrs for a night operation against Schweinfurt. Outbound, was hit by Flak and the starboard inner fuel tank began to burn. The order to bale-out was given, but only two managed to do so before the Lancaster blew up and crashed at Marly (Moselle), 6 km SSW of Metz, France. More on the loss.]
Joseph,
Arthur Antony
A.A. Joseph
?
-

Cpl.
? [1209227]
(A) P/O (prob)
28.01.1943 [138268]
P/O (prob)
25.03.1943
(WS) F/O (prob)
25.09.1943 (cashiering by sentence of a general court-martial 18.07.1945)
28.01.1943


commissioned RAFVR (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]
Julian,
Eric William
E.W. Julian (Photo courtesy of Peneople Julian)
14.01.1914
-
04.1991
Kettering, Northamptonshire
Sgt.
? [656341]
P/O (prob)
17.08.1943 [171015]
P/O
17.02.1944
(WS) F/O
17.02.1944
P/O
26.06.1947 (reld 25.09.1951)
F/O
?
F/Lt.
01.03.1951, seniority 06.12.1950 (reld 02.02.1958)
Mentioned in Despatches MID
14.06.1945
?
17.08.1943


commissioned RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
26.06.1947
-
02.02.1948
commissioned RAFVR (Training Branch) [emergency commission]
02.02.1948
-
25.09.1951
commissioned Reconstituted RAFVR
02.02.1953
-
02.02.1958
extension of service by 5 years
       

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