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

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

Looking for details on a RAF(VR) officer not listed here yet?
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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. Abbreviations and explanations can be found at the help page.

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Rae-Martin,
Alastair Adam
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115013]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]

Rashbrooke,
Percy Robert William
P.R.W. Rashbrooke (Photo courtesy of Mr Jeremy Rashbrooke)
Married 1st ((03?).1934, Finsbury district, London) Winifred M. Duhamel.
Married 2nd ((12?).1946, Westminster district, London) Olive G. Roper. 18.10.1906
St Pancras district, London
-
05.1986
Surrey South-Western district

(A) P/O (prob) 31.10.1941 [110183]

P/O (prob) 31.12.1941

(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

31.10.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Ratcliffe,
Edward Lloyd George

Son of Herbert Edward Ratcliffe, and Elizabeth Horton.
Married ((06?).1939, Pontypridd district, Glamorgan) Elizabeth Ann John, of Treorchy, Glamorgan. (03?).1913
Worksop district, Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire - West Riding
-
19.02.1943
(KIA) [age 30]
[Ameland (Nes) General Cemetery, the Netherlands, D.13.17]

Sgt. ? [657065]

P/O (prob) 14.03.1942 [118621]

(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942

14.03.1942 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 19.02.1943 navigator, 15 Squadron RAF
[Took off from Bourn at 17:50 hrs in his Stirling III [BF457 LS-B] for an operation against Wilhelmshaven; crashed with loss of the complete crew at 21:00 hrs on Ameland, some 5 km East of Buren in an area known locally as the Nijlandsrijd, after being shot down by Oberleutnant Hans Joachim Jabs of IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1]

Ratut,
Hyam Ivor
H.I. Ratut (Photo courtesy of Mr Nicholas Ratut)
From London.
Married ((03?).1951, Westminster district, London) Winifred Elizabeth Kate Barter (Mrs Spiro Gabriele) (01.04.1910 - 28.03.2001), daughter (with one brother and one sister) of Alfred Thomas Barter (1878-1965), and Florence Hyde (1878-); one son, one step-daughter.

13.07.1907
-
13.09.1978
Winton Nursing Home, Nether Wallop, Andover district, Hampshire

(A) P/O (prob) 01.06.1940 [79973]

P/O (prob) 14.10.1940

P/O 01.06.1941

(WS) F/O 14.10.1941

(T) F/Lt. 01.01.1944

F/Lt. ? (Emgcy List) (reld 10.08.1954; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

01.06.1940 commissioned, RAFVR (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]

24.08.1940 transferred, Administrative and Special Duties Branch

01.02.1942 transferred, RAF Regiment

(05.1945) Commander of No. 1 Flight from Biggin Hill at the Thanksgiving Parade at St. Paul's Cathedral

Company director (Ragamuffin Ltd., 1970s).

Rawlins,
Colin Guy Champion
C.G.C. Rawlins
Only son of Richard Seymour Champion Rawlins (1886-1949), and Yvonne Blanche Andrews, of Gibraltar.
Married (25.05.1946, St Peter's Church, Frimley, Surrey North Western district) Rosemary "Patsy" Jensen, daughter of Mr & Mrs Jens Jensen, of Maultway House, Camberley; one daughter, two sons.

05.06.1919
Lewisham district, London
-
23.10.2003
Marlow, Chiltern district, Buckinghamshire

P/O 01.11.1938 [72510]

F/O 01.05.1940

(WS) F/Lt. 01.05.1941

(A) Sq.Ldr. ?

OBE 01.01.1965 New Year 65: Acting Resident Commissioner and Resident Secretary, Northern Rhodesia

DFC 11.02.1941 ?

39|45 St - -

AirCr Eur - -

WM 39|45 - -

Education: Prince of Wales School, Nairobi; Charterhouse (1933.2-1937.2; Bodeites House); Queen's College, Oxford (MA; OU swimming 1938, 1939).

01.11.1938 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)

advanced pilot training at Montrose and at Upper Heyford

08.1940 - 12.1940 144 Squadron RAF

12.1940 - 05.1941 rested

05.1941 - 12.05.1941 Flight Commander, 144 Squadron RAF (Hemswell)
[Flew in Hampden AD900 (PL-?) for a raid on Bremen. Shot down by a night-fighter (Obleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf, 11./NJG1) and crashed 02:57 hrs at Hoogkarspel (Noord Holland), 6 km WSW of Enkhuizen. As a result of a broken ankle sustained in a low parachute jump, for three months he was laid up in a German naval hospital at Alkmaar, in Holland. POW (No. 6424) in German captivity in several camps: 10C, 6B, 21B & Stalag Luft III.]

FCIS 1967. Colonial administrator in Africa (Northern Rhodesia/Zambia; appointments at Headquarters and in field; Provincial Commissioner, Resident Secretary), 1946-1966. Director of Zoos of the Zoological Society of London, 1966-1984. Member, Pearce Commission on Rhodesia's opinion, 1971-1972. Past President, International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens. Chairman of Trustees, Zimbabwe Trust, 1993-...

Rayment,
Kenneth Gordon
K.G. Rayment
Son of Leonard Rayment, and Elsie Kirk. 11.03.1921
Wanstead, West Ham district, Essex
-
15.03.1958
Munich, Germany

Sgt. ? [1269670]

P/O (prob) 01.09.1941 [108000]

(WS) F/O 01.09.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 01.09.1943

DFC 27.07.1943 ?

MID 02.06.1943 ?

Joined Merchant Navy, 1937.

15.10.1940 joined RAFVR

03.1941 training, 17 Elementary Flying Training School RAF

1941 training, 32 Service Flying Training School RAF (Moose Jaw, Canada) [passed out top of his course]

01.09.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

09.1941 56 Operational Training Unit RAF (Sutton Bridge)

12.1941 153 Squadron RAF

12.1941 night fighter training, 62 Operational Training Unit RAF (East Fortune)

02.1942 - 07.1943 153 Squadron RAF (from 12.1942 North Africa) (DFC)

07.1943 - 09.1943 stationed at Reghaia

09.1943 - 19.04.1944 51 Operational Training Unit (Cranfield)

04?.1944 - 11.1944 264 Squadron RAF (from 11.08.1944 France)

Seconded to BOAC flying Lodestars in November 1944 until end 1945. 1946 - transferred to BEA on its foundation flying Oxfords, then Dakotas until 1947, then Vikings. March 1953 began flying Ambassadors Flew Viscounts as a Senior Captain. On 6 February 1958 flew as second pilot on a special charter flight carrying the Manchester United football team home from Munich which crashed at Munich Airport in a snowstorm on take-off. Rayment was hospitalised with a broken leg and severe head and internal injuries. His leg was subsequently amputated but he died on 15 March without regaining conciousness. Rayment recorded 6 destroyed, 1 damaged and 1 V-1 destroyed victories during WW2.

Rayner,
Hugh Smyth
?
-

F/Sgt. ? [359963]

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 10.10.1941 [115015]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]

Raynsford,
Edward Charles Richard
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115016]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Reeve,
Edwin
E. Reeve
Son of John Reeve, and Rosa Mary Hatchett, of Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
Married ((12?).1930, Amersham district, Buckinghamshire) Beryl Lottie West ((03?).1907 - ), of Chesham; ... children (one son?). (06?).1903
-
17.12.1940
[age 37]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 9]

(A) P/O (prob) 26.03.1940 [78280]

P/O (prob) 15.05.1940

26.03.1940 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 17.12.1940 61 Squadron RAF
[Flew from Hemswell. Lost on a raid to Mannheim in Hampden X3128 [QR-?]. From the records it appears they ran out of petrol on the way back.]

Reid,
William
"Bill"
W. Reid W. Reid
W. Reid W. Reid
W. Reid W. Reid

21.12.1912
Baillieston, Lanarkshire, Scotland
-
28.11.2001
Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland

Sgt. ? [1348645]

P/O (prob) 19.06.1942 [124438]

(WS) F/O (prob) 19.12.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 19.06.1944 (reld 15.01.1949)

F/O 15.01.1949

F/Lt. 31.05.1951 (reld 15.01.1959)

VC 14.12.1943 attack on Düsseldorf 03.11.43

19.06.1942

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

for details see different obituaries
[ <-- buttons on the left]

15.01.1949 commissioned, Reconstituted RAFVR

Reynolds,
James Norris
J.N. Reynolds
Son of ... Reynolds, and ... Whichcer. 25.08.1921
Brentford district, Middlesex
-
2012

Sgt. ? [932482]

P/O (prob) 30.03.1942 [119882]

(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 30.03.1944

DFC 23.05.1944 in recognition of gallantry
displayed in flying operations against the enemy *

* This officer has set a fine example of skill, courage and devotion to duty. He has completed a large number of sorties during which he has successfully attacked many dangerous and difficult targets. On one occasion, whilst over Berlin, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard aileron was badly damaged and the aircraft temporarily went out of control. Flight Lieutenant Reynolds regained control however, and, although much physical effort was required to keep the aircraft on a level course, he pressed home his attack and afterwards flew safely to base. This officer displayed skill, determination and devotion to duty of the highest standard.

30.03.1942 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

(1944) 158 Squadron RAF (DFC)

Rice,
Frederick Andrew
F.A. Rice 22.06.1902
-
14.05.1978
Westminster district, London SW3

P/O (prob) 28.09.1939

P/O 28.09.1940

(WS) F/O 03.1941, seniority 23.01.1940

(T) F/Lt. 01.03.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 22.08.1943

(WS) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1945

28.09.1939 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Executive.

Richardson,
Anthony Thomas Stewart Currie
A.T.S.C. Richardson
(12?).1899
Kensington district, Greater London
-

P/O (prob)
18.06.1940 [80934]

(WS) F/O (prob)
20.01.1941

(WS) F/O
18.06.1941

(T) F/Lt.
01.09.1942 (emgcy) (reld 10.02.1954)

Education: Marlborough College.

18.06.1940

commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for administrative duties) [emergency commission]

Newspaperman & author.
Published: Ransom (1925); High silver (1926); Barbury witch : a novel (1927); Transgressor (1928); Milord and I (1931); City of the rose (1933); Golden empire (1938); Because of these : verses of the Royal Air Force (1942); These - our children (1943); Full cycle (1946); Wingless victory : the story of Sir Basil Embry’s escape from occupied France in the summer of 1940 (1950) [US ed.: Alone he went (1951)]; The crowded hours : the story of "Sos" Cohen (1952); Nick of the River : the story of detective inspector David Herbert Cyril Nixon, late of the Thames Division, Metropolitan Police (1955); Ona man and his dog (1960); No place to lay my head (1957); Nick of Notting Hill, the bearded policeman : the story of Police Constable J. Nixon, F. 166 of the Metropolitan Police (1965).

Richardson,
Selwyn
S. Richardson (Photo courtesy of Mr Stanley Richardson)
Only son of Harry Richardson, and Mary Alice Forrest. 28.02.1922
Bradford, Yorkshire
-
05.1992
Poole, Dorset

F/Sgt. ? [1230989]

P/O (prob) 06.09.1943 [158546]

P/O 06.03.1944, seniority 06.09.1943

(WS) F/O 06.03.1944

(WS) F/Lt. 06.09.1945

DFC 14.11.1944 ?

Distinguished Flying Medal DFM 12.11.1943 ?

Education: Priestman Central School, Bradford, Yorkshire (c. 1933-1937; technical school).
Worked for City Express Motors Wakefield Road & I.G. Dyestuffs, Bradford, Yorkshire, 1937-1941.

1941 enlisted, RAFVR (received air training in USA)

06.09.1943 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

(1943) 77 Squadron RAF

(1944) 692 Squadron RAF

Richman,
Louis Leslie
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115020]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Rideal,
Eric Chichester
E.C. Rideal
Elder son of Cdr. Leonard Chichester Rideal (1891-1966), and his Swedish spouse, of Cornwall Gardens, London SW.
Married (1948?) Anne-Marie Callet, only daughter of the late M.E. Callet and Mme M. Callet, of St Quentin, France; ... children (one son?). 23.06.1920
-
24.12.2006
Mayday hospital, Croydon

Acm. 1st cl. ? [1026820]

(A) P/O (prob) 07.01.1942, seniority 04.10.1941 [115443]

P/O (prob) 07.03.1942, seniority 04.12.1941

(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 20.07.1946

F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.09.1945

(A) Sq.Ldr. ?

F/Lt. RAF 08.11.1948, seniority 07.01.1948

Sq.Ldr. RAF 01.01.1956 (retd 23.06.1969)

OBE 01.01.1949 New Year 49

Education: Trinity Hall, Cambridge (1939).

07.01.1942 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

(1944) served as Intelligence Officer

(08.1945) Officer-in-Charge, No. 5 (Holland) Section, Missing Research and Enquiry Service, RAF, British Liberation Army (The Hague, Holland)

08.11.1948 permanent commission, RAF

30.05.1949 transferred, RAF (Secretarial Branch)

(1950) Adjutant, Western Union Examining Squadron (RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire)

26.11.1967 - 29.01.1968 Station Commander, RAF Hendon

Ridgway,
George Fideles
G.F. Ridgway (Photo courtesy of Len Lanigan)
Son of John and Mary Ridgway.
Husband of June Ridgway, of Oxford.
23.03.1905
Cork, Southern Ireland
-
14.10.1946
(died of carcinomatosis) [age 40]
[Oxford (Botley) Cemetery, plot H/3, grave 176]

Sgt.
? [358826]

P/O (prob)
15.08.1940, seniority 25.07.1940 [83486]

P/O
15.08.1941, seniority 25.07.1941

(WS) F/O
15.08.1941, seniority 25.07.1941

(T) F/Lt.
01.09.1942

(WS) F/Lt.
05.01.1945

(A) Sq.Ldr.
?

15.08.1940

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

Ridley,
Raymond Nicholas
R.N. Ridley
Second (with two brothers and one sister) son of Gerald Lorimer Newport Ridley, BA (1869-1958), and Mabel Parker Wells (1870-1954), of Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex. 24.04.1904
Broomfield, Essex
-
20.01.1944
(MPK) [age 40]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 203]

(A) P/O (prob) 18.05.1940 [79218]

P/O (prob) 15.06.1940

P/O 18.05.1941

(WS) F/O 15.06.1941

(WS) F/Lt. 15.06.1942

18.05.1940 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 20.01.1944 70 Squadron RAF
[Lancaster ND368 [MG-U]. Airborne 16:15 hrs from Oakington. Shot down from 19,000 feet by a night-fighter, which attacked from below and astern (Schröge Musicka?), exploding near Döberitz. Sgt Bartholomew was found alive, but died from his wounds six days later. F/L Ridley, who at 40 was well over the age associated with operational aircrew, is believed to have answered the invitation put out in 1940 for suitable candidates to present themselves for consideration as commissioned Air Gunners.]

Rivington,
Charles Arthur
C.A. Rivington
Only son of Arthur William Rivington (1855?-1929), and Rosamund Emma Herbert Jones (1874-1968).
Married (29.03.1941, Westminster district, London) Section Officer Arabella Louisa Nevill Hayne, WAAF ((03?).1915 - 08.02.1972), daughter of ... Hayne, and ... Cameron; one daughter. 23.11.1902
Chipperfield, Watford district, Hertfordshire
-
1994

P/O (prob) 05.06.1940 [79802]

(WS) F/O 05.06.1941

(T) F/Lt. 01.09.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 16.03.1944

(A) Sq.Ldr. (1943)

(WS) Sq.Ldr. 29.01.1945 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)

MID 17.09.1943 ?

Education: Charterhouse; Oxford.
Solicitor, 1928 (Parker, Garrett & Co.).

05.06.1940

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

Under Warden (1966), Upper Warden (1967) & Master (1969), The Stationers' Company.
Published: 'Tyrant', the story of John Barber, 1675 to 1741 : Jacobite Lord Mayor of London, and printer and friend to Dr. Swift (1989); Pepys and the booksellers (1992)

Roberts,
Alan Lestocq
A.L. Roberts
Son of ... Roberts, and ... Hughes.
Married (22.02.1941, Witney district, Oxfordshire) Phyllis Eleanore Francis (02.04.1914 - 05.04.1983) (earlier married to & divorced from David M.H. Williams); one son, two daughters. 14.09.1916
Teddington, Kingston district, Middlesex
-
04.11.1980
Mount Alvernia Hospital, Guildford, Surrey

Sgt. ? [1169273]

P/O (prob) 25.11.1941 [115023]

(WS) F/O 21.07.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 19.02.1943

(A) Sq.Ldr. (1944)

DFC 13.02.1942 *

DFC 04.04.1944 **

MID 14.01.1944 ?

* One night in September 1941 this officer was captain of an aircraft which carried out a raid on Genoa. The target was successfully bombed resulting in a large fire. Two nights later a successful attack was carried out at Stettin. These two operational flights covering a distance of over 2,700 miles involved a flying time of 17 hours. Pilot Officer Roberts has participated in attacks as far afield as Turin, Genoa, Stettin and Berlin. He has at all times displayed great skill, perseverance and courage
** One night in February, 1944, this officer captained an aircraft detailed to attack Schweinfurt. Early on the outward flight it was discovered that, owing to a broken pipe-line, the whole of the oxygen supply had been lost. Nevertheless Squadron Leader Roberts came down to a lower altitude and flew on to the target. Whilst over the area the aircraft was set on fire but the flames were extinguished and Squadron Leader Roberts flew back to base to complete his mission successfully. This officer displayed great determination throughout, setting a high example of devotion to duty. Education: in Switzerland.

07.1940 enlisted service

25.11.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

(1942) 9 Squadron RAF (DFC)

(1944) 514 Squadron RAF (Bar to DFC, despatches)

Roberts,
Albert Edward
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115022]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]

Roberts,
Eric Robert Alfred

E.R.A. Roberts

Married ((12?).1945, Surrey Mid Eastern district) Eleanor C. Gregor.

(03?).1922
Richmond district, Surrey
-

Ldg.Acm. ? [1181896]

P/O (prob) 01.07.1941 [100070]

P/O 01.07.1942

(WS) F/O 01.07.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 01.07.1943

(A?) Sq.Ldr. 1944?

DFC 05.09.1944 *

* This officer is a most efficient and devoted flight commander. He has participated in very many attacks on targets such as enemy/shipping, airfields and mechanical transport with good results. His keenness and determination throughout have been most commendable.

01.07.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

flew Beaufighters

02.1943 - 09.03.1945 609 Squadron RAF

1944? - 1944? Adjutant

06.12.1944 - 09.03.1945 Commanding Officer
[09.03.1945 at 16.55 while on a mission against barges moored off the north coast of the island of Overflakkee the engine of his Typhoon IB [SW447] lost power and was force-landed south-west of Achthuizen, near Sommelsdijk, Goeree-Overflakkee, the Netherlands; captured]

09.03.1945 - 05?.1945 POW in German captivity

Post-war a pilot with British European Airways.

Roberts,
John Charles
J.C. Roberts ?
-

(A) P/O (prob)
01.08.1941 [103296]

P/O (prob)
18.09.1941

P/O
01.08.1942

(WS) F/O
18.09.1942

(T) F/Lt.
01.01.1944, seniority 01.07.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
13.09.1945 (emgcy list) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)

01.08.1941

commissioned, RAFVR (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]

served No 39 Squadron, No 32 ASP, No 3 Brick Unit, No 4 Beach Unit, No 68 Beach Unit, AD Wing

Robertson,
Ian Alexander
I.A. Robertson 31.01.1919
Glasgow, Scotland
-
21.02.2011
Bedford, Bedfordshire

Sgt. ? [754102]

P/O (prob) 21.09.1940, seniority 14.09.1940 [86636]

(WS) F/O 21.09.1941, seniority 14.09.1941

(WS) F/Lt. 21.09.1942, seniority 14.09.1942

(A?) Sq.Ldr. (1945)

F/O 05.01.1949

F/Lt. 01.03.1951, seniority 05.01.1949 (reld 05.01.1954)

DFC 24.10.1941 ? [investiture 10.03.42]

Commenced a prenamed apprenticeship in aeronautical engineering at Percival Aircraft Co.

in Luton, 1937.

1938 joined RAFVR and started to learn to fly in 07.1939

02.09.1939 mobilized; after a few weeeks of learning morse code, navigation and basic airmanship he was posted to Marine Court, Hastings where he was given more lessons on navigation, air force procedure and a lot of physical training

04.1940 No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School RAF (Cambridge)

06.1940 No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (Little Rissington)

21.09.1940

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

14 Operational Training Unit RAF (Cottesmore)

12.04.1941 83 Squadron RAF (Scampton) (DFC)

05.01.1949 - 05.01.1954 commissioned, RAFVR (Reconstituted Section) (General Duties Branch)

Gained aviator's licence (No. 20792) at 14.12.1945 after having flown 133 hrs with the RAF. Flew for Shorts until the setting up of the Aeronautical College at Cranfield when he took the post of test pilot until age removed his licence. He then became an HM's Inspector concentrating on aeronautics and with a particular interest history visible from the air.

Robinson,
Henry
H. Robinson ?
-

P/O (prob) 26.10.1940 [87262]

(WS) F/O 08.03.1942

(WS) F/Lt. 08.03.1943 (emgcy list) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)

MM ? ?

26.10.1940

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

08.03.1941 transferred, RAFVR (Technical Branch)

Robinson,
Maurice Dixon
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115025]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Robinson,
Patrick John Noble
P.J.N. Robinson
Son of R.Adm. Eric Gascoigne Robinson, VC, OBE, and of Edith Gladys Robinson (née Cordeux), of Langrish, Hampshire. (09?).1914
Basford district, Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire
-
25.06.1942
(KIA) [age 28]
[Sage War Cemetery, Germany, 1.F.15]

Ldg. Acm. ? [1176945]

P/O (prob) 13.09.1941 [108240]

13.09.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 25.06.1942 observer, 102 Squadron RAF
[his Halifax II bomber [R9446 DY-F] had taken off 22.58 hrs from Topcliffe for an operation against Bremen and was presumed lost over the sea]

Robison,
Owen Hugh
O.H. Robison (Photo courtesy of Mr Hugh Robison) ?
-

Wt.Offr. ? [1394806]

P/O (prob) 13.05.1945 [198310]

(WS) F/O 13.11.1945 (reld 09.12.1946; retaining rank of F/O)

1944 - 1945 65 Squadron RAF

13.05.1945 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Rogerson,
George Edward
?
-

Ldg.Acm. ? [1229353]

(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 03.10.1941 [115028]

31.12.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]

Rook,
Kenneth Graham
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 25.08.1941 [104897]

25.08.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Ross,
David Gordon
"Bill"
M. Ross
Son of Lt. Frederick Gordon Ross, Manchester Regt. (killed in action in France, 1st July, 1916), and of Kathleen Ross, of Warninglid, Sussex.
(09?.)1904
MacClesfield, Cheshire
-
02.05.1942
(KIA) [age 37]
[Cambridge Crematorium, column 2]

(A) P/O (prob)
19.07.1940 [82429]

F/O (prob)
?

F/O
19.07.1941

(A) F/Lt.
?

19.07.1940

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

?
-
02.05.1942
65 Squadron RAF
[flying accident *]

* They (F/Lt. D.G. Ross & Sq.Ldr. H.T. Gilbert) took off from Great Sampford, the Debden satellite, having consumed 6-8 bottles each of Benskins Colne Springs beer, according to the licensee of the pub. This info was not revealed until after the Court of Enquiry. The CO tried to borrow a Magister but his flight sergeant, realising that he was in no fit state to fly, told him it was u/s. The CO then took a Spitfire.

Ross,
Douglas Alan Barry
D.A.B. Ross
Married ((12?).1940, Cheltenham district, Gloucestershire) Mrs ... Gray (née Ruston).
?
-

Sgt.
? [741889]

P/O (prob)
01.11.1940, seniority 23.10.1940 [87032]

(WS) F/O
01.11.1941, seniority 23.10.1941

(WS) F/Lt.
01.11.1942, seniority 23.10.1942 (reld 30.11.1945, retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)

(T) Sq.Ldr.
1944?

01.11.1940

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

(1941)

600 Squadron RAF

Ross,
Maurice
M. Ross 1910
-
12.03.2007
[aged 96]

(A) P/O (prob)
14.01.1942, seniority 16.12.1941 [115891]

...
...

F/Lt.
? (retd 17.08.1955; retianing the rank of Sq.Ldr.)

OBE
?
?

Education: BSc

14.01.1942

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

Ross,
Nicoll Ramsay
"Nicky"
N.R. Ross

01.08.1917
Greenock
-
18.04.2008
Lasswade

Wt.Offr.
? [754544]

P/O (prob)
02.06.1943 [158240]

P/O
02.12.1943

(WS) F/O
02.12.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
02.06.1945

F/O
18.11.1948

F/Lt.
31.03.1951 (reld 18.11.1958)

DSO
29.08.1944
*

DFC
13.07.1943
**

AEA
?
?

* This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and the successes obtained are a fine testimony to his great skill, courage and resolution. He is a model captain, whose strong sense of, duty, gallantry and resource have set an example of the highest order.
** W/O Ross now on his second tour of operational duty, has
taken part in a large number of operational series. An excellent captain of aircraft, in the face of heavy odds, he has shown courage and determination of a high order, and has secured some excellent photographs.

07.1939

joined RAFVR

02.1941

40 Squadron RAF

01.1943

103 Squadron RAF

02.06.1943

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

10.1943

617 Squadron RAF

18.11.1948
-
18.11.1958
commissioned, Reconstituted RAFVR (General Duties Branch)

Worked with the Bank of Scotland.

Rouse,
Edward Clive
?
-

(A) P/O (prob) 04.08.1941 [108864]

04.08.1941 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

Rowe,
Bernard Joseph
B.J. Rowe (Photo courtesy of Mr Harry D.C.A. Stait-Gardner)
Son (with one sister) of Bernard Oswald Youlden (who changed his last name to Rowe) (1874-1959), and Maria Mercedes Sola y Guardiola (1875-1957).
His sister Mary Mercedes Adel Isabel Rowe married Maj. Harry Alforth Bernard Stait-Gardner. 1903
Barcelona, Spain
-
08.07.1984
Spain

Acm. 2nd cl. ? [1400406]

(A) P/O (prob) 04.03.1942, seniority 07.10.1941 [117911]

P/O (prob) 04.05.1942, seniority 07.12.1941

(WS) F/O ? (reld 08.04.1946; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

(T) F/Lt. ?

04.03.1942 commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

served as Intelligence Officer

Rowntree,
John Peter
J.P. Rowntree
Son of John Ernest Rowntree (1897-1967), and Dorothy Pamphilon (1893-1953). (12?).1920
Paddington district, London
-
10.10.1941
(MPK) [age 20]
[Alamein Memorial, Egypt, column 241]

Sgt. ? [745381]

P/O (prob) 27.07.1940 [82704]

(WS) F/O 27.07.1941

Worked at Martins Bank Ltd.

27.07.1940 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 10.10.1941 203 Squadron RAF [missing, presumed killed whilst flying in Blenheim IV]

Royle,
Vernon
V. Royle
Eldest son of Mr & Mrs J. Royle, of Burnley.
?
-

Sgt.
? [979241]

P/O (prob)
05.04.1943 [144883]

(WS) F/O (prob)
05.010.1943

(WS) F/Lt.
05.04.1945

DFC
16.11.1943
* [investiture 11.45]

05.04.1943

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

(1943)

flight engineer, 10 Squadron RAF

Returned as engineer at Platers & Stampers Burnley post-war.

* On the night of July 27th 1943, P O Royle was detailed as flight engineer of a Halifax bomber for a raid over Hamburg. When crossing the enemy coast his aircraft was attacked by 5 JU88’s and was shot up, the rear gunner being killed and the port outer engine set on fire. The fire was extinguished and the plane carried on. Within 60 miles of the target the bomber flew into heavy AA fire and received a direct hit causing the wing to catch fire. Another direct hit ripped away the front part of the plane killing the bomb-aimer, navigator and wireless operator and severely wounding the pilot. P O Royle pulled the pilot from his seat and although the aircraft was by now practically out of control at 2500 feet high with only two engines serviceable he would not bail out. This gallant officer regained control of the crippled bomber and headed it towards the target a few miles away shouting, according to the words of the mid-upper-gunner who had now come forward to help’, “I’ll prang that target or die in the attempt”. The bombing run was made at 1500 feet P O Royle then headed the plane for the coast flying at tree top height all the way, when about half way across the North Sea the crippled plane was spotted by another homebound bomber which promptly proceeded to act as escort and sent out an SOS. They managed to reach base but P O Royle and a gunner were told it would be suicidal to try and land in their condition. They steadfastly refused to leave the plane however and it crash landed on a runway. P O Royle and his gunner escaped unhurt.

Rudge,
James Charles
J.C. Rudge (Photo courtesy of D.S. Loyd)
Son of ... Rudge, and .... Heath.
Married Joan ...; no children.
18.11.1911
Chiswick, Brentford district, London / Middlesex
-
01.1991
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Ldg.Acm.
? [1808625]

P/O (prob)
11.02.1944 [163978]

(WS) F/O
11.08.1944

(WS) F/Lt.
11.02.1946 (emgcy list) (reld 18.11.1956; retaining rank of F/Lt.)

11.02.1944

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

After leaving the service he continued as before the war as an Ice Skating Instructor and until retirement he taught at Queens Ice Rink, Bayswater Road, London.

Rudolf,
John De Montjoie
J. De M. Rudolf (Photo courtesy of Mr Nicholas Ross)
Son of Edward Arthur De Montjoie Rudolf and Maude Lilian Weterhall Rudolf, of Sidcup. Grandson of Edward De Montjoie Rudolf, founder of the Waifs and Strays (now Children's Society).
Married ((03?).1934, Camberwell district, Surrey) of Violet Vaughan, of Sidcup; three sons, two daughters. 14.06.1912
Bromley district, London
-
14.09.1943
[age 31]
[Sidcup (St John) Churchyard, Kent, row 3, grave 6]

Sgt. ? [1381845]

P/O (prob) 31.01.1942 [123463]

(WS) F/O 01.10.1942

31.01.1942 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 14.09.1943 flying instructor

Rumley,
Cyril Walter
C.W. Rumley
Son of Alonzo Rumley, and Ida L. Linscott.
Married ((12?).1942, Surrey Mid Eastern district) Kathleen I.G. Cook. Kathleen Rumley remarried ((12?).1948) Leslie D. Slater. (03?).1919
Lambeth district, London
-
12.08.1944
(MPK) [age 25]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 209]

Wt.Offr. ? [917618]

P/O (prob) 06.07.1943 [156907]

(WS) F/O 06.01.1944

06.07.1943 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

? - 12.08.1944 224 Squadron RAF
[Took off in the evening from St Eval, Cornwall on board a Liberator GRVIE878/C on an anti U-boat patrol. While over the Bay of Biscay, about 25 miles off Pointe de Penmarc'h blew up when fired on in error by the destroyer HMS Onslow.]

Russum,
Kenneth
K. Russum 12.10.1922
-
24.02.2007
Kingham, Oxfordshire
[aged 84]

Wt.Off..
? [1211080]

P/O (prob)
09.09.1944 [189214]

P/O
09.03.1945

(WS) F/O
09.03.1945

F/O
09.09.1945

...
...

W/Cdr.
01.01.1968 (retd 25.03.1977)

AFC
?
?

09.09.1944

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

15.08.1946

extended service

permanent commission

Rutherford,
Norman Bayne
N.B. Rutherford
Son of George William Ewart Gladstone Rutherford (1886-1955), and Elizabeth Murray Hanlin (1887-1969).
Married (15.06.1938) Anita Ann Delamere Rutherford (1919-1993); one daughter.
16.12.1912
Sydney, NSW, Australia
-
18.09.1944
(KIA) [age 31]
[Becklingen War Cemetery, joint grave 24.B.14]

Sgt.
? [930212]

P/O (prob)
08.06.1941 [68194]

P/O
08.06.1942, seniority 08.06.1941

(WS) F/O
08.06.1942

(WS) F/Lt.
08.06.1943

AFC
31.03.1944
? [decoration posted to next-of-kin]

08.06.1941

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

?
-
18.09.1944
pilot, 627 Squadron RAF
[airborne in Mosquito DZ635 AZ-N at 19.03 hrs from Woodhall Spa for an operation against Bremerhaven; cause of loss not established; crashed 22.10 hrs, four minutes after 57 Squadron Lancaster, at Schiffdorf on the eastern outskirts of Bremerhaven]

Rutherford,
Robert Henry
N.B. Rutherford
Son of Samuel William and Pauline Annie Rutherford. 1923 ?
-
22.07.1943
[age 20]
[Bangor Cemetery, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, section 2H, grave 166]

Ldg.Acm.
? [1479900]

P/O (prob)
06.11.1942 [133718]

(WS) F/O (prob)
06.05.1943

06.11.1942

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

?
-
22.07.1943
navigator, 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF
[Stirling I bomber W7586 -C took off from Stradishall for a trainig flight, but stalled and crashed at 17:46 hrs while attempting to go round again from a three-engined approach.]

Ryan,
Thomas Davis
"Tommy"
T.D. Ryan (Photo courtesy of Mr Simon Weir) ?
Glasgow
-

F/O 01.04.1943 [140538]

(T) F/Lt. 29.03.1944

F/Lt. 01.03.1955 (reld 19.11.1961)

Education: MA.

01.04.1943 commissioned, RAFVR (Meteorological Branch) [emergency commission]

19.11.1951 commissioned, RAFVR (Reconstituted Section) (Meteorological Branch)

Ryde,
Peter Cecil
P.C. Ryde
Son of Harold Stewart Ryde (1892-1972), and Doris Martin.
Married ((03?).1942, Maidenhead district, Berkshire) Dorothy Lilian Davis, of Maidenhead, Berkshire. 1921 ?
-
21.02.1944
Stratford upon Avon district, Gloucestershire / Warwickshire / Worcestershire
[age 23]
[Balsall Cemetery, Warwickshire, SE corner, row P, grave 3]

F/Sgt. ? [655918]

P/O (prob) 25.01.1943 [141093]

(WS) F/O (prob) 25.07.1943

25.01.1943 commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]

pilot

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