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Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers
1939-1945

 

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A.E. Paish  to  C.W.H. Pulford
Paish,
Atholl Ernest
A.E. Paish
(03?).1905
Godstone, Surrey
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936
      qualified at a specialist course in engineering
Paish,
John Charles
J.C. Paish
Married (at Cairo); one daughter.
?
-
(A) P/O (prob)
19.08.1939 [42520]
P/O (prob)
01.02.1940
P/O
26.06.1940
(WS) F/O
01.02.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
01.02.1942
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
06.01.1945
(A) W/Cdr.
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
02.10.1945
?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
01.01.1943
?
19.08.1939


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
26.06.1945


transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)
(1945)


680 Squadron RAF
Post-war a pilot for Cathay Pacific. His plane came down in Hong Kong when attempting a landing at Kai Tak in poor weather. 
Pankhurst,
Leonard Thomas
L.T. Pankhurst
26.08.1902
Portsmouth, Hampshire
-
12.1996
Chester and Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1936
Education: psa



qualified at a specialist course in engineering
Parr,
Alfred William Clifford Vernon
A.W.C.V. Parr
(03?).1897
Knighton, Herefordshire
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd) 01.01.1924
       
Pearson,
Albert
A. Pearson
24.02.1902
-
F/Sgt.
? [357293]
P/O (prob)
20.09.1940, seniority 29.08.1940 [44625]
F/Lt. (temp)
?
F/Lt. (war subst.)
12.12.1945
Sq.Ldr.
01.08.1947 (retd 21.09.1953)
20.09.1940


first commission RAF (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]
Pearson,
Anthony Brien John
A.B.J. Pearson
14.03.1920
-
05.1999
Truro, Cornwall
(A) P/O (prob)
17.09.1938 [41200]
P/O
25.07.1939
F/O
03.09.1940
F/Lt. (war subst.)
03.09.1941
Sq.Ldr.
01.08.1947
W/Cdr.
01.07.1957 (retd 21.05.1965)
Air Force Cross AFC
> 09.1941
< 12.1945
?
Air Force Cross AFC
02.06.1962
HM's birthday 62
17.09.1938


first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
18.12.1945


extended service
Pearson-Rogers,
Henry William
H.W. Pearson-Rogers
18.03.1906
-
11.1992
Norwich, Norfolk
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
Education: psa
       
Peel,
John Ralph Alexander
J.R.A. Peel
Son of Colonel Basil Peel, DSO, of the Indian Army; married 1st Barbara Hutchinson (1942, dissolved 1964); one son, three daughters; married 2nd Sue Marsden (died 1998).
17.10.1911
Boscombe
-
07.01.2004
Salisbury, Wiltshire
P/O
23.07.1932 [33011]
F/O
?
F/Lt.
?
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1939
(T) W/Cdr.
01.03.1941
W/Cdr.
01.10.1946
(A) Gp.Capt.
01.1943
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.07.1944-01.11.1947 (retd 20.01.1948)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
08.1941
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
13.08.1940
*
Mentioned in Despatches MID
02.06.1943
?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
?
?
* This officer's outstanding quality as a leader has raised the flying standard and morale of his squadron to the highest pitch. During a period of thirteen days in July, he destroyed at least two enemy aircraft. On one occasion, although his aircraft had been badly damaged in action, he followed and shot down a Dornier 17 twenty-five miles from the coast and eventually had to abandon his own aircraft over the sea. He was picked up by a lifeboat. when on the verge of losing consciousness, but was again leading his squadron the next morning.
Education: Clifton; RAF College, Cranwell (09.1930-07.1932)
23.07.1932


first commission
07.1932
-
01.1934
19 Squadron (Duxford)
01.1934
-
?
801 Squadron FAA [HMS Furious (aircraft carrier)]
?
-
?
flying instructor, 601 Squadron AAF
?
-
09.1937
Adjutant, RAF College, Cranwell
09.1937
-

flying instructor, 601 Squadron AAF
21.08.1939
-
(10.1939)
Directorate of Postings, Department of the Air Member for Personnel, Air Minstry
07.1940
-
16.09.1940
CO 145 Squadron
11.07.1940


shot down in his Hurricane I P3400 while on patrol; ditched off Selsey Bill after combat, 1825 hrs; rescued by Selsey lifeboat
16.09.1940
-
18.11.1940
? *
18.11.1940
-
01.1941
CO 145 Squadron
01.1941
-
05.08.1941
CO Kenley Wing
11.1941
-
(03?.)1943
Sector Controller and Wing Leader at Debden
(03?.)1943
-
1943?
Department of the Air Member for Personnel, Air Minstry
1943?
-
1945?
Deputy Director of Fighter Operations, Air Ministry

29.07.1940
08.08.1940






2 victories:
½ Ju 88
1 Bf 109
01.1947
-
01.1948
Assistant Commandant at the RAF College Cranwell
* Was CO RAF Station Hunsdon at some time; this period?
Took up farming at Cambridgeshire, later Devon. Retired to Wiltshire in the early 1980s.
Penman,
David Jackson
D.J. Penman D.J. Penman

Telegraph obituary
14.10.1919
Edinburgh
-
27.11.2004
Barnsley, Yorkshire
(A) P/O
30.11.1937
P/O
27.09.1938
F/O
?
F/Lt.
?
Sq.Ldr.
?
W/Cdr.
01.07.1967 (retd 14.10.1974)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
?
?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
?
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
30.11.1937


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch)
...
-
...
...
Peters-Smith,
Murrey Vernon
M.V. Peters-Smith
Son of ... Peters-Smith, and ... Wilding.

15.04.1916
Bristol district, Avon / Gloucestershire
-
27.07.1942
(KIA)
[Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany, 26.J.12]
(A) P/O (prob)
16.04.1935 [37207]
P/O
16.04.1936
F/O
16.11.1937
(A) F/Lt.
16.11.1938-23.07.1939
F/Lt.
16.11.1939
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1940
Sq.Ldr.
01.06.1942
(T) W/Cdr.
01.03.1942
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
21.11.1941
?
16.04.1935


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



57 Squadron RAF
16.03.1942
-
27.07.1942
Commanding Officer, 57 Squadron RAF (based at RAF Foltwell, Norfolk)
[his Wellington III bomber [X3653 DX-] took off 15.30 hrs at Foltwell in an attempt to use the cloud cover to reach Bremen, but crashed]
Pett,
Eric Graham
E.G. Pett
Son of Jesse and Daisy Pett, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex.
1921 ?
-
01.05.1943
[age 22]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 119]
P/O
01.02.1940 [42357]
Sq.Ldr.
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
?
-
01.05.1943
254 Squadron RAF
Pickard,
Percy Charles
P.C. Pickard P.C. Pickard
P.C. Pickard
P.C. Pickard
P.C. Pickard 
Son of Percy and Jenny Pickard.
Married (1939) Dorothy, daughter of Col. Hodgkin, DSO, Irish Guards; one son.
Residenve (1944): Highlands, Southern Rhodesia.

Wikipedia
16.05.1915
Handsworth, Sheffield, Yorkshire
-
18.02.1944
(KIA)
[St Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France, 3.B.13]
P/O
01.1937 [39392]
...
...
(WS) W/Cdr.
06.11.1943
(A) Gp.Capt.
?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
07.03.1941
311 Sqn
Distinguished Service Order DSO
26.05.1942
51 Sqn
Distinguished Service Order DSO
26.03.1943
161 Sqn
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
30.07.1940
?
Mentioned in Despatches MID
17.03.1941
?

Czechoslovak Military Cross of 1939 (15.07.1941)

Education: Framlingham College
01.1937


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch)



served in Bomber Command



ADC to Air Marshal Baldwin



returned to BomberCommand at outbreak of war



since served in six night bomber squadrons (DFC, DSO, and two bars)
?
-
18.02.1944
Commander, 140 Wing RAF
Pigott,
Owen Rupert
O.R. Pigott
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
      qualified at a specialist course in engineering
Pike,
[Sir] Thomas Geoffrey
T.G. Pike
Youngest of three sons of late Capt. Sidney Royston Pike, RA, and Sarah Elizabeth Huddleston.
Married (1930) Kathleen Althea, the daughter of Major Herbert Elwell; one son, two daughters.

29.06.1906
Lewisham, London
-
01.06.1983
Princess Mary's RAF Hospital, Halton
P/O
16.12.1925
...
...
Sq.Ldr.
01.02.1937
(A) W.Cdr.
04.01.1940
(T) W/Cdr.
01.03.1940
W/Cdr.
14.04.1942, seniority 01.01.1940
(A) Gp.Capt.
29.09.1941
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.03.1942
(WS) Gp.Capt.
21.08.1944
Gp.Capt.
01.01.1946
(A) A/Cdre.
21.02.1944
(T) A/Cdre.
01.01.1946
...
...
Marshal of the RAF
06.04.1962 (retd 01.03.1967)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath GCB
01.01.1961
New Year 61
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath KCB
09.06.1955
HM's birthday 55
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
01.01.1946
HM's birthday 46
Commander of the Order of the British Empire

CBE

08.06.1944
?
Distinguished Flying Cross

DFC

13.05.1941
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
30.05.1941
?
Mention in Despatches MID
02.06.1943
?
Officer of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
16.10.1945
?
Education: Bedford School; RAF College, Cranwell; psa



qualified at a specialist course in engineering
...
-
...
...
09.1939
-
02.1941
Air Staff, Directorate of Organisation
04.02.1941


Commanding Officer, 219 Squadron RAF (Tangmere)
29.09.1941


Air Staff - Night Fighters, HQ No 11 Group RAF
02.02.1942


Commanding Officer, RAF North Weald
05.08.1942
-
05.1943
Staff Officer Air Plans, HQ No 11 Group
16.05.1943


Commanding Officer, No 1 Mobile Operations Room Unit
21.02.1944


Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Desert Air Force
23.06.1945


Commandant, Officers' Advanced Training School
07.1945


Commandant, No 1 Officers' Adavanced Training School (RAF Digby from 13 Sep 1945)
...
-
...
...
Deputy Lieutenant (DL), Essex, 07.02.1973-08.12.1981.
Literature: Richard Pike, Beaufighter ace : the night fighter career of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Sir Thomas Pike, GCB, CBE, DFC (2005)
Pilkington,
Geoffrey Langton
G.L. Pilkington
(12?).1885
Prescot, Lancashire
-
1972
Sq.Ldr. AAF 26.08.1939
       
Powell,
Kenneth James
K.J. Powell
08.04.1916
Bridgend, Wales
-
12.1988
Madremanya, Spain
(A) P/O (prob)
23.03.1936 [37689]
P/O
27.01.1937
(A) F/O
20.05.1938
F/O
27.10.1938
F/Lt.
03.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
17.01.1943
Sq.Ldr.
25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1944
(A) W/Cdr.
?
(T) W/Cdr.
01.07.1945, seniority 01.07.1944 (till 01.11.1947)
W/Cdr.
01.07.1950 (retd 09.04.1957; own request)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) CBE
13.06.1970
HM's birthday 70: for services to British interests in Germany
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
20.03.1945
gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations *
* This officer, on his second tour of operational duty has participated in very many sorties, involving attacks on a wide range of enemy targets. He has at all times displayed a high degree of skill and, throughout a meritorious operational career, his devotion to duty has been unfailing. His example of courage and determination in pressing home his attacks against heavily defended targets has been most commendable.
23.03.1936


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
(1941/42)


62 Squadron RAF (Singapore)
27.01.1942


transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)
(1945)


180 Squadron RAF
28.02.1946


extended service commission
16.11.1948


permanent commission
Powell,
Robin Peter Reginald
R.P.R. Powell R.P.R. Powell
R.P.R. Powell  
30.09.1916
-
28.01.1970
F/Cadet
?
P/O
01.08.1936 [33278]
F/O
01.02.1938
F/Lt.
01.02.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.03.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
17.04.1942
Sq.Ldr.
20.11.1942, seniority 01.03.1941
(A) W/Cdr.
17.01.1942
(T) W/Cdr.
01.06.1942-01.11.1947
(WS) W/Cdr.
04.10.1945-01.11.1947
W/Cdr.
01.01.1949
Gp.Capt.
01.07.1958 (retd 06.11.1963; medical unfitness for Air force service)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
31.05.1940
*
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
24.07.1942
**
* This officer has displayed outstanding leadership and gallantry. In May, 1940, his flight, although greatly outnumbered, destroyed some six enemy aircraft and the next day a further four were destroyed. In these engagements Flight Lieutenant Powell personally brought down at least one of the enemy aircraft on the first day and two on the second day.
** Wing Commander Powell is an excellent leader. His ability and skill have inspired his pilots with confidence and set a high standard of operational efficiency. He has completed many sorties during which he has destroyed 1 and probably destroyed a further 2 enemy aircraft.
Education: RAF College, Cranwell (09.1934-08.1936)
01.08.1936


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch)
10.08.1936
-
05.1941
pilot (later also Flight Commander), 111 Squadron RAF (Northolt) (Battle of Britain)
14.05.1941
-
01.1942
Commanding Officer, 121 (Eagle) Squadron RAF (Kirton-in-Lindsey)
17.01.1942
-
06.1942
Wing Leader, Hornchurch Wing (wounded; did not return to Wing)
 
 
 
later served in Tunisia



air ace with 7 destroyed, 2 shared destroyed, 1 unconfirmed destroyed, 3 probables and 4 damaged
Powell-Shedden,
George [Shedden] ffolliott
"Geoff" / "Fo-Fo"

G.S. ff Powell-Shedden G.S. ff Powell-Shedden
Son of Lt.Col. Richmond ffolliott Powell (1880-?), and Alice Katherine Beatrix Shedden.
Brother of Lt.Col. Atherton George ffolliott Powell, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Assumed surname of Powell-Shedden by deed poll of 09.08.1938.
Twice married; one son, one daughter.

obituary
01.04.1916
Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
-
31.10.1994
London
Flight Cadet
?
P/O
19.12.1936 [33277]
F/O
19.06.1938
(A) F/Lt.
02.03.1939-19.04.1939, 18.05.1939-...
F/Lt.
19.06.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.09.1941
Sq.Ldr.
20.11.1942, seniority 01.09.1941
(T) W/Cdr.
01.07.1943
(WS) W/Cdr.
23.08.1945
W/Cdr.
01.07.1947, seniority 01.10.1946
(A) Gp.Capt.
1945?
Gp.Capt.
01.01.1954 (retd 20.03.1961)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
27.04.1945
?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
12.12.1941
*
* This officer has been engaged on operations almost since the war began. He served with a fighter squadron in the Middle East theatre of war until June, 1940, when he returned to this country and took part in the Battle of Britain. In July, 1941, Squadron Leader Powell Shedden was posted to Malta where he formed the night flying unit which has since performed sterling work in the night defence of Malta. By his great and energetic organising ability, together with his courage and initiative in the air, Squadron Leader Powell Shedden has contributed materially to the successes obtained. He has destroyed at least 5 enemy aircraft 3 of which were destroyed by him during the Battle of Britain.
Education: Wellington College; Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, transferring to RAF College, Cranwell
19.12.1936


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch)
1937


47 Squadron RAF (Khartoum)
1939


33 Squadron RAF (Palestine)
06.1940

(09.1940) 
Flight Commander, 242 Squadron RAF (Battle of Britain)



Flight Commander, 258 Squadron RAF
04.1941


Commanding Officer, 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron RAuxAF (Malta)
01.1944
-
1944
96 Squadron RAF
1944


Commanding Officer, 29 Squadron RAF
01.12.1952
-
01.08.1954
Commanding Officer, RAF Jever (Germany)
1954
-
1957
operational staff, Naples
1958
-
1961
Air Ministry
Joined stock exchange & farmed in Buckinghamshire.
Powle,
John Henry
J.H. Powle
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936
      qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Prickman,
Thomas Bain
T.B. Prickman
10.09.1902
-
02.1992
Eastbourne, Sussex
Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936
       
Primrose,
William Harold
W.H. Primrose
see: www.rafweb.org
29.01.1884
-
15.06.1957
(T) A/Cdre. (retd)
?
...
-
...
...
1939


Commanding Officer, RAF Bircham Newton
1941


Air Officer Commanding, AHQ Iceland
1942


Air Officer Commanding, No ? Group, Coastal Command ?
05.1943


Air Officer Commanding, No 38 Wing
07.12.1943


Air Officer Commanding, RAF in Northern Ireland
Pringle,
Herbert John
H.J. Pringle
10.09.1908
Axminster, Devon
-
11.2001
Oxfordshire
Fl. Cadet
?
P/O
28.07.1928 [26064]
F/O
28.01.1930
F/Lt.
01.04.1934
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1937
(T) W/Cdr.
01.09.1940
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.09.1942
Gp.Capt.
01.07.1947 (retd 28.09.1957)
- ICD
1970
Independence Commemorative Decoration
Air Force Cross AFC
> 12.1937
< 09.1940
?
Education: RAF Cadet College, Cranwell
28.07.1928


first commission, RAF - General Duties Branch
1937
-
1940
Chief Flying Instructor, RAF Upavon



RAF Acklington
Proud,
Harold John Granville Ellis
H.J.G.E. Proud
(09?).1906
Aysgarth, Yorkshire
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
Education: psa



qualified at a specialist armament course; additionally qualified at an advanced armament course
Pulford,
Conway Walter Heath
C.W.H. Pulford
26.01.1892
Agra, India
-
10.03.1942
Chubia Island
Air Vice Marshal
1939

CB 1941; OBE 1919; AFC

...
-
...
...
06.03.1941
-
12.02.1942
Air Officer Commanding, Far East
[reported missing 12.02.1942; died of malaria & exhaustion a month later after his aircraft had crashed on a deserted island]


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