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Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers
1939-1945

 

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J.H. D'Albiac  to  B. Duperier
D'Albiac,
[Sir] John Henry
J.H. D'Albiac
28.01.1894
Richmond, Surrey
-
20.08.1963
P/O
01.04.1918
...
...
Air Vice Marshal
15.03.1942 (retd 14.04.1947)
...
-
...
...
1939


Air Officer Commanding, RAF Palestine
1940


Air Officer Commanding British Forces in Greece
1941


Air Officer Commanding, RAF Iraq
1942


Air Officer Commanding, RAF, Ceylon
1943
-
1944
Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Force
1944


Deputy Commader, Mediterranean Allied
Tactical Air Force
1945
-
1946
Director­General Personnel, Air Ministry
Dalton-Morris,
[Sir] Leslie
L. Dalton-Morris
07.04.1906
-
28.10.1976
Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
Air Marshal ?
Education: psa
      qualified at specialist signals course
Damant,
Frederick Korsten
F.K. Damant
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Guyben Castell Damant; husband of Marjorie Damant, of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
1895 ?
-
16.05.1941
[age 46]
[Cranwell (St. Andrew) Churchyard, Lincolnshire, 2.A.18]

P/O
? [03206]
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
W/Cdr.
01.03.1940
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
?
-
16.05.1941
pilot, ...
Daniell,
Rex Donald
R.D. Daniell

29.10.1920
Hamilton, New Zealand
-
P/O
08.06.1940 [43701]
(WS) F/O
08.06.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
08.06.1942
(A) Sq.Ldr.
(1943)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
08.06.1945
*
Air Force Cross AFC
01.01.1944
?
Vliegerkruis (= Flying Cross) (The Netherlands) VK
01.01.1946
Arnhem 09.44 [Dutch Royal Decree of 31.07.45]
* This officer is a highly efficient flight commander, whose great keenness for air operations, coupled with fine qualities of courage and resolution has set a worthy example. He has participated in a very large number of sorties, including the Arnhem and the Rhine crossing airborne operation. The skill with which he executed his allotted task in these operations was an important factor in the success achieved.
12.1939
-
06.1940
served, RNZAF
08.06.1940


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
(1945)


233 Squadron RAF
08.06.1945


transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for Air Force service) 
06.1945


re-transferred, RNZAF
David,
William Dennis
W.D. David
Married to Margaret.
25.07.1918
Tongwynlais,
nr. Cardiff

-
25.08.2000
Ealing, London
P/O
04.04.1939 [40805]
F/O
03.09.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
03.09.1941
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1944
(T) Sq.Ldr.
03.03.1944 [permanent commission]
Sq.Ldr.
01.09.1945
Sq.Ldr.
30.07.1946 [permanent commission]
(A) W/Cdr.
(1942)
(WS) W/Cdr.
28.04.1945-01.11.1947
W/Cdr.
01.01.1952
(A?) Gp.Capt.
1944
Gp.Capt.
? (retd 05.1967)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
?
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
31.05.1940
*
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
04.06.1940
**
Air Force Cross AFC
?
?
Mention in Despatches MID
11.06.1942
?
  Vitez
1981
Knightly Order of Vitez (Hungary)
* This officer has recently shot down four enemy aircraft and shown gallantry and devotion to duty compatible with the highest traditions of the service. His coolness and determination have been a very fine example to the other pilots of the squadron. He was involved in an engagement when six other aircraft of the squadron attacked over forty German aircraft in an attempt to protect Blenheim aircraft. He supported his leader \yith great courage and determination, shooting down two enemy aircraft.
** This officer continued to display a fine offensive spirit and during the past few days he has shot down three more enemy aircraft, making a total of eleven in all.



worked in a wholesale clothing business, London
05.1937


Reserve Flying School at Hanworth
1938


first commission
09.1939?
-
10.1940
87 Squadron
10.1940
-
11.1940
Flight Commander, 213 Squadron
13.11.1940
-

Flight Commander, 152 Squadron
1941
-
1943
Operational Training Units
04.04.1942


transferred to reserve (RAFO)
07.1943


CO 89 Squadron
(1944?)


Air Corps Liaison Officer to General Sir A.F.P. Christison of the XV Indian Corps

10.05.1940
10.05.1940
11.08.1940
11.08.1940
15.08.1940
25.08.1940
25.08.1940
15.09.1940
19.10.1940


20 victories:
1 Do 17
½ He 111
1 Bf 109
1 Ju 88
1 Ju 87
1 Ju 88
1 Bf 109
½ He 111
1 Ju 88
25.02.1947


recall to the active list [permanent commission]
1947?


CO RAF Station White Waltham
1948


CO RAF Station El Adem (desert)
1949


CO 324 Wing
1955
-
1956
Honorary Aide to Viscount Trenchard
1956


Air Attaché, Budapest



CO RAF Station Tangmere



Chief of Air Plans Naples
Freeman of the Cities of London and Chichester.
Published: Dennis "Hurricane" David : my autobiography (2000)
Davidson,
James
J. Davidson
14.10.1908
-
08.1995
Darlington, Yorkshire
Wt.Offr.
? [506257]
F/O
22.07.1943 [52524]
A/Fl.Lt.
? (retd 03.01.1946)
22.07.1943


first commission, Administrative and Special Duties Branch [emergency commission]
Davies,
Edwin George
E.G. Davies
02.12.1913
-
1995 still alive
P/O (prob)
12.09.1938 [31190]
P/O
12.09.1939
F/O
12.09.1939
(T) F/Lt.
01.12.1940
F/Lt.
27.08.1946, seniority 12.09.1942
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
02.03.1944
Sq.Ldr.
01.10.1946, seniority 01.12.1944
(T) W/Cdr.
01.07.1944-01.11.1947
W/Cdr.
01.01.1952 (retd 16.02.1959)
12.09.1938


first commission, RAF (Equipment Branch)



served with the RAF Delegation in Washington 1941 (under Air Vice MarshalDrowley), then to Gloucester RAF Little Risssington, to Harrogate for a short term and then to RAF Changi, Singapore; returned to Air Ministry in London and then Ministry of Supply, John Adam Street
Davis,
Edward Simeon Colbeck
E.S.C. Davis
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.10.1936
Air Force Cross AFC
?
?
Education: psa
...
-
...
...
Dawson,
Frank Philip
F.P. Dawson
Married Doreen Helen Flower; one son, two daughters.
02.10.1913
-
13.04.2008
West Suffolk Hospital
P/O (prob)
01.01.1937 [31080]
P/O
01.01.1938
F/O
01.01.1938
(T) F/Lt.
01.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.09.1941
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1943
(T) W/Cdr.
01.07.1945-01.11.1947
W/Cdr.
01.07.1950 (retd 28.11.1957)
Air Force Cross (Greece) GrkAFC
29.12.1942
?
1932
-
1937
served Honourable Artillery Company
01.01.1937


commissioned, RAF (Equipment Branch)



served in Iraq
1939
-
1945
served in Egypt, Greece, Crete, Malta & Germany



served in Argentina
Member, Hedingham's & District Branch, Royal British Legion, 02.11.1995.
Day,
Walter Reginald
W.R. Day
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1936
      qualified at specialist signals course
Deacon,
Arthur Henry
"Art" / "Deac"
A.H. Deacon (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon) A.H. Deacon (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
A.H. Deacon, while in captivity (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
A.H. Deacon, while in captivity (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
A.H. Deacon, in captivity (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon) A.H. Deacon, while in captivity (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
A.H. Deacon, while in captivity (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
Married Geraldine O'Brien; three sons, one daughter.
22.07.1916
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

-
02.05.2007
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
(A) P/O (prob)
15.04.1939 [41906]
P/O (prob)
06.11.1939
P/O
06.02.1940
(WS) F/O
06.11.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
06.11.1941 (reld 24.11.1944)
02.1939


went from Canada to the UK to volunteer for the RAF
15.04.1939


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
1939
-
?
No. 2 Flying Training School (Brize Norton, Oxfordshire)
(01.1940)


served at Church Fenton
?
-
28.05.1940
242 Squadron RAF *
[shot down by a Messerschmitt Me-109 in his Hurricane I [N2651] while on patrol; captured]
28.05.1940
-
1944?
POW (# 465) in German captivity Stalag Luft III
?


transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch)
24.11.1944


relinquished commission on appointment to RCAF
Lived at Invernay (Saskatchewan, Canada) and went back there after the war, moved to Vancouver (B.C.) in 1954, where he owned an Esso service station ("Deacon's Service").
* served together with A.A. Greenberg & M.B. Mallet, but not completely clear whether this was in 242 Sqn or perhaps 224 Sqn
Dearth,
Eric Charles
E.C. Dearth
(06?).1900
Hendon, Greater London
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1936
      qualified at specialist engineering course
Deere,
Alan Christopher
"Al"
A.C. Deere

New Zealander

see also: NZ Fighter Pilots Museum

12.12.1917
Westport, NZ
-
21.09.1995
Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire
P/O 28.10.1938 [40370]
F/Lt. 28.10.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr. 14.06.1943
(A) W/Cdr. ?
W/Cdr. 01.07.1951
A/Cdre. ? (retd 1977)
Distinguished Service Order DSO 04.06.1943 *
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE 01.01.1946 ?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 14.06.1940 operations France **
  DFC(US) 18.01.1944 ?
Croix de Guerre (France) CdeG ? ?
* This officer has displayed exceptional qualities of skill which have played a large part in the successes of formations he has led. His fearlessness, tenacity and unswerving devotion to duty have inspired all with whom he has flown. Wing Commander Deere has destroyed 18 enemy aircraft.
** During May, 1940, this officer has, in company with his squadron, taken part in numerous offensive patrols over Northern France, and has been engaged in seven combats often against superior numbers of the enemy. In the course of these engagements he has personally shot down five enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of others. On one occasion, in company with a second aircraft, he escorted a trainer aircraft to Calais Marck aerodrome, for the purpose of rescuing a squadron commander who had been shot down there. The trainer aircraft was attacked by twelve Messerschmitt log's whilst taking off at Calais, but Pilot Officer Deere, with the other pilot, immediately attacked, with the result that three enemy aircraft were shot down, and a further three severely damaged. Throughout these engagements this officer has displayed courage and determination in his attacks on the enemy.
09.1938 - 12.1940 54 Squadron
01.1941     operations room controller
07.05.1941 - 01.08.1941 Flight Commander, 602 Squadron
01.08.1941 - 01.1942 Commanding Officer, 602 Squadron
05.1942 - 08.1942 Commanding Officer, 403 Squadron
08.1942     staff duties
02.1943     temp. attached 611 Squadron
03.1943 - 09.1943 Wing Leader Biggin Hill
      145 Wing
      84 Group
1943?     transferred to RAFO
Denny,
Frank Maynard
F.M. Denny
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
       
Deverill,
Ernest Alfred
E.A. Deverill
Son of Lt.Cdr. Ernest Arthur Deverill, RN, and Alice Maude Deverill.
Married (25.07.1940) Joyce (died 1992, aged 75), daughter of Richard and Blanche Burgis of North Farm, Docking.
(03?).1916
Gillingham, Kent
-
17.12.1943
[age 27]
[Docking (St Mary) Churchyard, NW side]
(T) F/Sgt.
(1940) [565503]
P/O (prob)
08.04.1941, seniority 02.04.1941[45546]
P/O
08.04.1942, seniority 02.04.1942
(WS) F/O
08.04.1942, seniority 02.04.1942
(A) F/Lt.
?
(WS) F/Lt.
08.04.1943, seniority 02.04.1943
(A) Sq.Ldr.
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
28.04.1942
long range daylight attack on Augsburg 17.04.42 *
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
20.11.1942
series of bombing raids **
Air Force Cross AFC
01.01.1944
? [posthumously]
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM
09.07.1940
***
* Group citation of one award of the DSO, eight DFC’s and 10 DFM’s – On 17th April 1942 a force of twelve Lancaster heavy bombers was detailed to deliver an attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany. To reach this highly important military target and return, a most daring flight of some 1000 miles over hostile country was necessary.  Soon after entering enemy territory and whilst flying at a very low level the force was engaged by 25 to 30 enemy fighters.  Later, the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered.  Despite this formidable opposition eight of the bombers succeeded in reaching the target and in delivering a successful attack on the factory.  The following officers and airmen who participated, in various capacities, as members of the aircraft crews, displayed courage, fortitude and skill of the highest order.
** Since being awarded the DFC, this officer has taken part in thirty sorties, including many attacks on targets in the Ruhr area.  In the daylight attack on the transformer station near Le Cruesot, Flight Lieutenant Deverill bombed his objective from a height of 500 feet.  He also participated in the recent raids on Milan and Genoa.  This officer has invariably endeavoured to press home his attacks with great vigour.
*** The award followed an early morning shipping strike off the Elbe Estuary, where the Hudson was attacked by three ME109’s. Deverill (at that time a Sergeant) was the navigator in the three-man crew. The gunner, Townend, was killed after shooting down one fighter and Deverill and the pilot (P/O R T Kean) were injured. Deverill helped the pilot fly the plane back to Bircham Newton. Deverill was awarded the DFM, Kean the DFC.
c. 1935/36
 
 
joined RAF as trainee apprentice, No. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton
1938


re-mustered as aircrew, undertaking pilot training and became a sergeant pilot
1939
-
late 1940
206 Squadron RAF (Coastal Command)
15.04.1941
 
 
first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
1941
-
25.09.1941
pilot, 25 Operational Training Unit
26.09.1941
-
10.1942
pilot, 97 Squadron RAF
10.1942
-
12.1943
pilot, 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit
06.12.1943
-
17.12.1943
pilot, 97 Squadron RAF (Bourn, Cambridgeshire)
[after a successful operation against Berlin widespread very bad weather conditions and shortage of fuel prevented normal landing, and the aircraft crashed near Graveley, Cambridgeshire, killing him and six of his crew]
Dewey,
Robert Basil
F.M. Denny
Son of Allan and Violet Dewey, nephew of Mr. E.W. Dewey, of Portsmouth.
(06?).1921
Barnet district, Greater London
-
27.10.1940
(KIA) [age 19]
[Hornchurch Cemetery, A.1341]
(A) P/O (prob)
23.10.1939 [42815]
P/O (prob)
18.05.1940
P/O
14.08.1940
23.10.1939
 
 
commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
(01.07.1940)
-
26.09.1940
pilot, 611 Squadron RAF
27.09.1940
-
27.10.1940
pilot, 603 Squadron RAF
[his Spitfire II (P7365) was shot down while on patrol by a Bf 109 of JG 51 south of Maidstone, Kent at 14:05 hrs]
victories:

20.10.1940
1 Bf 109
Dickens,
Louis Walter
L.W. Dickens
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
Air Force Cross AFC ? ?
       
Dickens,
Thomas Charles
T.C. Dickens
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
Education: psa
      qualified at specialist engineering course
Dinsdale,
John Swire
J.S. Dinsdale
24.04.1913
Christchurch, New Zealand
-
P/O
27.06.1939 [40999]
...
...
Sq.Ldr.
?
W/Cdr.
?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
?
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
08.1938


joined RAF (General Duties Branch)
1943
-
1944
Commanding Officer, 489 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF
01.1944


transferred RNZAF
1944


Commander, 155 (GR) Wing, Coastal Command
Dolezal,
Frantisek
F. Dolezal

Czech
14.09.1909
Ceska Trebova
-
04.10.1945
Bucovice
(aircraft accident)
P/O ? [82593]
F/O ?
Sq.Ldr. ?
W/Cdr. ?
Distinguished Service Order DSO 17.06.1944 ?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 01.09.1942 ?
 
      Groupe de Chasse II/2
06.08.1940 - 27.08.1940 310 (Czech) Squadron
27.08.1940 - 29.10.1940 attached 19 Squadron
29.10.1940 - 15.01.1943 310 (Czech) Squadron
12.12.1940 - 07.04.1942 Flight Commander, A Flight, 310 (Czech) Squadron
07.04.1942 - 15.01.1943 CO  310 (Czech) Squadron
01.04.1943 - 01.02.1944 Commander Czechoslovak Fighter Wing
01.02.1944 - 11.1944 Czechoslovak Inspectorate General, London
11.1944 - 12.1944 Command & General Staff College, Kansas
01.1945 - 16.05.1945 Czechoslovak Inspectorate General, London

07.09.1940
10.09.1940
18.09.1940
    victories (6.5):
1 Bf 110
1 Bf 109
1 He 111
Donaldson,
Edward Mortlock
"Teddy"
E.M. Donaldson

Son of C.E. Donaldson, Malay Civil Service; married 1st, 1936, Winifred Constant (marr. diss. 1944); two daughters; 2nd, 1944, Estellee Holland (marr. diss.
1956); one son; 3rd, 1957, Anne, Sofie Stapleton (marr. diss. 1982).
22.02.1912
-
02.06.1992
South-East Hampshire
P/O 1931? [32043]
F/Lt. 1936
Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1938
(A) W/Cdr. 1940
(T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1941
(WS) W/Cdr. 28.06.1943
W/Cdr. 01.10.1946
(A) Gp.Capt. 1942
(T) Gp.Capt. 01.01.1944
Gp.Capt. 01.07.1949
A/Cdre. 1954 (retd 1961)
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB 01.01.1960 New Year 60
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE 01.06.1953 HM's coronation
Distinguished Service Order DSO 31.05.1940 *
Air Force Cross AFC 1941  
Air Force Cross AFC 12.06.1947  
Mention in Despatches MID 01.01.1941 ?
  LoM 1948  
* This officer has inspired such a fine fighting spirit in his squadron that, on the first encounter with enemy forces, nine aircraft of his squadron destroyed six enemy aircraft, and a further five were believed to have been destroyed. Four or five enemy aircraft were accounted for on the following day. His high courage and his inspiring qualities of leadership have made his squadron a formidable fighting unit. He has, himself, shot down four enemy aircraft.
Education: King's School, Rochester; Christ's Hospital, Horsham; McGill University, Canada; Joint Services Staff College (1954)
1931     joined RAF
  - 1936 3 Squadron, Upavon, Kenley and Sudan [won RAF air firing trophy, 1933 and 1934]
1936 - 1938 Flight Commander, 1 Squadron [led flight aerobatic team, Hendon and Zürich, 1937]
11.1939 - 05.08.1940 CO 151 Squadron
05.08.1940 -   ?
1941     Chief Instructor, 5 Flying Training School
      went to US to build four air Gunnery Schools, 1941, and teach USAF combat techniques
1944     Member USAF Board and Directing Staff at US School of Applied Tactics
1944     Comdr RAF Station, Colerne, RAF first jet station

14.07.1940
    10.5 victories:
1 Bf 109
1946     CO RAF Station, Milfield
1946     CO RAF High Speed Flight [holder of World's Speed
Record, 1946]
1946 - 1949 SASO, No 12 Group
1949 - 1951 in comd Air Cadet Corps and CCF
1951 - 1954 CO RAF Station, Fassberg, Germany
1954 - 1956 Dir of Operational Training, Air Ministry
1956 - 1958 Deputy Commander Air Forces, Arabian Peninsular Command
1958 - 1961 Commandant, Royal Air Force Flying College, Manby
Air Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph, 1961-1979.
Donkin,
Reginald Hawtrey
R.H. Donkin
(09?).1905
Brentford, Middlesex
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937



qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Doran,
Kenneth Christopher
K.C. Doran
(12?).1913
Leicester, Leicestershire
-
died before 1996
(A) P/O (prob)
23.12.1935 [37467]
P/O
28.10.1936
F/O
28.05.1938
(A) F/Lt.
19.03.1939
(WS) F/Lt.
30.05.1941, seniority 16.12.1939
(A) Sq.Ldr.
?
(T) Sq.Ldr.
</