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Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers
1939-1945

 

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C. St Noble  to  O.B. Swain
St Noble,
Clair
C. St Noble
?
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.07.1927
       
Saker,
John Harold
J.H. Saker
?
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.12.1934
  MVO
?
?
Education: psa



qualified at specialist signals course
Sample,
John
J. Sample

Son of Thomas Norman Sample, and Kate Isabel Sample (née Dickinson), of Morpeth.
02.1913
Longhirst near Morpeth, Northumberland
-
28.10.1941
(KIA)
[St. Andrew Churchyard Bothal, Ashington Northumberland]
P/O 27.04.1934 [90278]
F/O 27.10.1935
F/Lt. 24.08.1939
(T) Sq.Ldr.  01.09.1940
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 04.06.1940 *

* This officer was for most of the time in command of a Squadron which he led extremely well. He shot down two enemy aircraft during May, 1940, but was then shot down himself and forced to jump. He was a great inspiration to his squadron.

      land agent in civilian life, working for his uncle as his joint agent (MLAS, FSI)
27.04.1934 - late05.1940 607 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force
10.01.1939 -   Flight Commander, B Flight, 607 Squadron
24.08.1939     mobilized
10.05.1940     baled out of his Hurrican I P2615 during an attack, while on patrol, on seven He 111s of KG1 over Albert
late 05.1940 - 03.1941 CO 504 Squadron
03.1941 - 09.1941 Controller, 10 Group HQ
09.1941 - 28.10.1941 CO 137 Squadron
28.10.1941     Sample's aircraft P7053 collided on a training flight with another, crashing at Manor Farm, Englishcombe; Sample had baled out, but too low, and was fatally injured

17.10.1939
10.05.1940
10.05.1940
15.09.1940
15.09.1940
15.09.1940
    victories (1 own, 3 shared) :
1/3 Do 18 (shared destroyed)
1/3 He 111 (probable shared destroyed))
1 He 111 (damaged)
1 Do 17 (shared destroyed)
1 Do 17 (destroyed)
½ He 111 (shared destroyed)
Sanceau,
Reginald James
R.J. Sanceau
Married ((03?).1918, Reigate district, Surrey) ... Rutherford.
13.04.1892
Rio Tinto, Spain
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
07.01.1931
       
Sands,
Desmond Ossiter
D.O. Sands
D.O. Sands
D.O. Sands  
Married; ... children (one son?).
?
Australia
-
1998
P/O
? [102110]
Sq.Ldr.
?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
27.04.1945
467 Sqn RAF
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
28.04.1942
44 Sqn RAF (daylight raid against a diesel engine factory at Augsburg, Germany)
...
-
...
No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF
      shot down on his fortieth mission, survived the war in a POW camp
ARIBA.
Saundby,
Sir Robert Henry Magnus Spencer
"Bob"
R.H.M.S. Saundby

 
Second son (of 3 sons and 1 daughter)  of late Robert Saundby, MD, LLD, FRCP (1849-1918), and Mary Edith Spencer (1856-1943).
Married (10.01.1931) Joyce Mary Rees­Webbe (1904-1986); one son, two daughters.

Telegraph obituary

26.04.1896
All Saints, Birmingham
-
26.09.1971
Edgecombe Nursing Home, Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire
  Education: King Edward's School, Birmingham
22.12.1938
-
04.1940
Director of Operational Requirements, Air Ministry
22.04.1940
-
11.1940
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operational Requirements and Tactics)
21.11.1940
-
29.07.1943
Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), HQ Bomber Command
30.07.1943
-
1945
Deputy Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command
Life Vice­President, RAF Association; Chairman National Council, 1945-1958; President, Metropolitan Area, British Legion, 1947-1962, Patron, 1962; Chairman, Berkshire T and AFA, 1956-1961; Vice­Chm. Council T and AF Assocs, 1947-1960; Mem., Minister of Pensions' Central Adv. Cttee, 1948-1966; Chm., Exec. Cttee, Central Council for the Care of the Disabled, 1953-1955; Member Council, Air League of British Empire, 1949-1962, Vice­Pres., 1962; President: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Naturalists' Trust; Piscatorial Soc., 1932-1950; British Entomological and Nat. Hist. Soc., 1950.  DL County of Berkshire, 1960.
Published: Flying colours (1918); edited the Book of the Piscatorial Society, 1836-1936 (1936); A fly­rod on many waters (1961); Air bombardment : the story of its development (1961); numerous articles in newspapers and journals
Savill,
Norman Alfred
"Norm"
N.A. Savill (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
Son of ... Savill, and ... Durrant.
(09?).1919
Steyning district, Sussex
-
(A) P/O (prob)
15.04.1939 [41956]
P/O (prob)
06.11.1939
P/O
06.02.1940
(WS) F/O
06.11.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
06.11.1941
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1946, seniority 01.07.1945
F/Lt.
25.02.1947, seniority 01.12.1942 (reld 15.09.1948; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.)
15.04.1939


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
?
-
12.05.1940
235 Squadron RAF (Coastal Command)
[His Blenheim IV [L9189 LA-O] took off in company with other aircraft of the squadron to cover troop landings at The Hague and was attacked by eight Me109s of II/JG27 at 07:55 hrs. Both the observer and the air gunner were killed in the attack and P/O Savill baled out of the burning aircraft at low altitude. On landing on farmland along the Kloosterweg between Brielle and Oostvoome, P/O Savill was captured by Dutch soldiers who were convinced that he was German and made preparations to shoot him. Despite being badly wounded and covered in bums he managed to convince them that he was an RAF officer and was taken to Vlaardingen hospital.]
12.05.1940
-
1945?
POW in German captivity
06.02.1943


transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for Air Force service)
19.12.1946


extended service (for four years)
Schofield,
Herbert
H. Schofield
?
-
Sq.Ldr. RAFO
27.08.1939
       
Scott,
Eric William Stanton
P.G. Scott
Son of Alexander Campbell Scott and Violet May Scott, of Canberra. Australia.
1920 ?
-
04.06.1940
(KIA) [age 20]
[Southend-on-Sea (Sutton Road) Cemetery, plot R, grave 12214]
(A) P/O (prob)
04.06.1938 [40852]
P/O
07.03.1939
04.06.1938
 
 
first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
?
-
04.06.1940
pilot, 616 Squadron RAF
[crashed with his Spitfire I (N3130)] at Rochford in poor weather returning from a patrol]
Scott,
Philip George
P.G. Scott
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.07.1927
       
Sealy,
Charles Forbes
C.F. Sealy
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.10.1936



qualified at a specialist armament course; additionally qualified at an advanced armament course
Seymour-Higgins,
Alan Charles Pryce
A.C.P. Seymour-Higgins
Changed surname from Higgins to Seymour-Higgins by deed poll of 18.03.1919.
Son of Joseph Allen Higgins and Amelia Mary Holmes.
Married (31.07.1924, Westminster) Edith Dorothea Mary Horn (died 09.10.1960, aged 70) (marriage dissolved 1930).
(09?).1897
Croydon, Greater London
-
09.1966
Westminster, London
Indian Army:

T/2nd Lt.
12.05.1915
2nd Lt. IARO
10.01.1917, seniority 12.05.1915
Lt. IARO
10.01.1917, seniority 12.05.1916
Lt.
20.10.1919, seniority 12.02.1917
A/Capt.
26.12.1917-08.03.1918,
01.08.1918-....
Capt.
?
07.03.1924, seniority 03.02.1920 (retd 06.12.1923; ill-health)
RAF:

P/O (prob)
26.09.1939 [74559] (reld 16.01.1940)
Victory Medal VM
?
with Iraq clasp
Partner in the Park Lane Club, London (1923; partnership dissolved).
12.05.1915


commissioned, Infantry [temporary commission]
13.12.1915


transferred from Royal Sussex Regiment to Bedfordshire Regiment
10.01.1917


commissioned, Indian Army Reserve of Officers (Infantry Branch) (1st Garrison Battalion (The Bedfordshire Regiment))
26.12.1917
-
08.03.1918
Officer Commanding, 53rd Brigade Supply and Transport Company (Supply and Transport Corps, Indian Army)
01.08.1918
-
?
Officer Commanding of a Company of a Divisional Train
20.10.1919
-
06.12.1923
transferred & served, Indian Army
26.09.1939
-
16.01.1940
commissioned, RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Shales,
Francis Harbroe
F.H. Shales
1897
Surrey
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.10.1936
       
Sharp,
Alfred Charles Henry
A.C.H. Sharp
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
Education: psa



qualified at a specialist armament course
Shaw,
Geoffrey
G. Shaw
?
-
Sq.Ldr. AAF
28.08.1939
       
Sheperd,
Philip Alfred
P.A. Sheperd
?
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.04.1918




Shortland,
Stanley
S. Shortland
09.09.1899
-
03.07.1980
[Saint Andrew Churchyard
Cranwell, Lincolnshire]
Warrant Offr.
04.10.1939 [236697]
P/O
26.11.1942 [50193]
...
..
F/Lt.
26.11.1946 (retd 01.09.1951; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
(T) Sq.Ldr.
?
26.11.1942


first commission, RAF
01.09.1951
-
01.03.1952
re-employed
Simpson,
John William Charles
J.W.C. Simpson
?
-
...
... [37642]
F/Lt.
06.07.1940
...
...
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
1940
?
...
-
...
...
Literature: Hector Bolitho, Combat report (1943)
Simpson,
Sturley Philip
S.P. Simpson

Telegraph obituary

13.06.1896
Ticehurst, Kent
-
28.04.1966
...
...
A/Cdre.
01.12.1944
Air Vice Marshal
26.03.1947
...
-
...
...
28.07.1938


Commanding Officer, RAF Thornaby
16.12.1941


Air Officer Commanding, AHQ Gibraltar
22.02.1944


Air Officer Commanding, No. 18 Group RAF
...
-
...
...
Sinclair,
Findlay Willard
F.W. Sinclair
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1937
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
       
Sinclair,
George Leslie
"Lee"
F.W. Sinclair
Home in Bagot, Manitoba, Canada.

Telegraph obituary

?
St. Mary, Kent
-
(A) P/O (prob)
04.03.1939 [41748]
P/O (prob)
30.09.1939
P/O
28.12.1939
F/O
30.09.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
30.09.1941
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.07.1946, seniority 01.07.1945 (till 01.11.1947)
F/Lt.
01.11.1947, seniority 01.09.1945
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
23.07.1940
France *
04.03.1939


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


destroyed 5 enemy aircraft, one probable, and damaged 2 others:
18.12.1939
-
04.05.1941
26 Squadron RAF (flying Lysanders)
29.12.1942


transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)
?
-
04.10.1943
3 Squadron RAF
[had taken off in the morning in his Typhoon Ib (JP755) for a low level attack on coastal shipping ("Roadstead" operation) and was shot down by Anti-Aircraft [Flak] at Overflakkee, The Netherlands; captured]
04.10.1943
-
1945?
POW (# 2925) at Stalag Luft III
09.1948
-
03 / 04.1949
volunteered to fly for the Israelis [101 Squadron] (War of Independence)
26.07.1950


extension of service for five years in Class (C)

* The recommendations read:
"During the course of operations between 10th and 28th May 1940, Pilot Officer Sinclair has displayed coolness, courage and devotion to duty above the average. In particular on the 19th of May, 1940, whilst on a reconnaissance sortie in the Peronne area he found and attacked enemy tanks under heavy anti-aircraft fire. In spite of the fact that his machine was badly damaged by this fire he returned to a British aerodrome bringing back useful information. On Monday, 27th May, whilst under heavy and very accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire he saw a large force of tanks in the St. Pol area. Despite the fire he came low and identified and attacked the enemy, returning again to his base with very valuable information. For his coolness under fire and his courage, Pilot Officer Sinclair is recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross."
"In a reconnaissance sortie in the Peronne area on the 19th May, 1940, this Pilot Officer attacked enemy tanks under heavy anti-aircraft fire. He returned to a British aerodrome with useful information despite his machine being badly damaged. Regardless of heavy and very accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire he attacked a large force of tanks in the St.Pol area on the 27th May and secured very valuable information. In all operations between the 10th and 28th May Pilot Officer Sinclair has displayed coolness, courage and devotion to duty."
Sizer,
Wilfred Max
"Wilf"
W.M. Sizer W.M. Sizer
Son of ... Sizer, and ... Williams.

Telegraph obituary

23.02.1920
Chelmsford district, Essex
-
22.12.2006
(A) P/O (prob)
07.05.1938 [40758]
F/O
?
(WS) F/Lt.
03.09.1941
(A) Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1943?
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1944
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
28.03.1944
Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1950 (retd 23.02.1963; retaining the rank of W/Cdr.)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
08.11.1940
*
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
28.09.1943
?
* During a. period of five days in France, this officer destroyed one enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction.of four others. Since the return of the squadron to this country, Flying Officer Sizer has taken part in a large number of patrols and has personally destroyed at least a further six enemy aircraft. During one patrol he was attacked and shot down by five Messerschmitts. Landing two miles outside La Panne, he swam across a canal and was taken to a casualty station suffering from facial wounds, and thence to England. After only two days' sick leave he again participated in patrols with his squadron.
07.05.1938


first commission RAF (General Duties Branch)
12.1938
-
05.1939
17 Squadron RAF
05.1939
-
1940?
213 Squadron RAF
07.03.1942


transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service)
04.1942
-
01.1943
152 Squadron RAF
01.1943
-
?
CO 93 Squadron RAF
Slater,
Joseph Clarence Cross
J.C.C. Sinclair
(06?).1902
Madeley, Shropshire
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937



qualified at a specialist armament course
Slocombe,
Philip
P. Slocombe
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1936



qualified at specialist engineering course
Smart,
Harry George
H.G. Smart H.G. Smart

Telegraph obituary

28.06.1891
-
28.06.1963
...
...
(A) Air Vice Marshal
01.03.1940-17.05.1941
...
-
...
...
26.10.1939


Air Officer Commanding, AHQ British Forces in Iraq
17.11.1941


Air Officer Commanding, No 17 (Operational Training) Group
Smiley,
Joseph Beverley
"Bev"
J.B. Smiley (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon) J.B. Smiley (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
Lived in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.
1915 ?
-
08.08.1986
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
[age 71]
(A) P/O (prob)
13.05.1939 [42156]
P/O (prob)
06.11.1939
P/O
13.03.1940
(WS) F/O
06.11.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
06.11.1941 (reld 24.11.1944)
13.05.1939


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch)



in German captivity in Stalag Luft III
24.11.1944


relinquished commission on appointment to RCAF
Smith,
Harold Constantine
H.C. Smith
(06?).1908
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
-
31.10.1983
[age 75]
[Saint Andrew Churchyard
Cranwell, Lincolnshire]
Sq.Ldr.
? [44824]
W/Cdr.
01.07.1953 (retd)
Air Force Cross AFC
?
?
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM
?
?
?
-
?
first commission, RAF



transferred to Secretarial Branch - General List
Smith,
Thurston Meiggs Wetherall
T.M.W. Smith
18.03.1916
-
07.1984
Chichester, Sussex
(A) P/O (prob)
03.05.1937 [39621]
P/O
01.03.1938
F/O
01.09.1939
(A) F/Lt.
?
(WS) F/Lt.
03.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.07.1945, seniority 01.12.1941
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
03.11.1939
*
Air Force Medal AFM
?
?
Mention in Despatches MID
01.01.1946
New Year 46
* Acting Flight Lieutenant Smith and acting Flight Lieutenant J. Barrett were, respectively, in command of the first and second of three flying boats which, having intercepted messages from a torpedoed merchant ship in September, 1939, proceeded to the scene of the sinking ship (some 70 miles from the mainland) to undertake rescue work. A lifeboat was seen in the vicinity containing about 34 men and, as no submarine could be sighted, the first aircraft alighted and took on board 20 of the survivors. A thorough search for enemy submarines was made by the second aircraft which afterwards alighted and, in spite of the heavy swell, took on board the remaining survivors from the lifeboat.
03.05.1937


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



228 Squadron RAF
[his Sunderland flying boat N9025 ‘OO-Y’ was attacked on 06.08.1940 by Italian fighter planes NW of Tobruk; the plane had to ditch]
01.03.1941


transferred to reserve (and called up for air force service) [announced 04.04.1944]
Smythies,
Francis Palmer
F.P. Smythes
(06?).1900
Elham, Kent
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.02.1937
       
Somerset-Leeke,
Alan Fitzroy [P H]
A.F. Somerset-Leeke
(03?).1891
Medway, Kent
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.01.1926
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
?
?
       
Somerville-Woodiwis,
Lawrence
L. Somerville-Woodwis
01.06.1886
district of Hartlepool, Durham
-
died between 1956 and 1996
RNVR:

(T) Dental Surgeon Lt.
10.04.1918
Army:

Lt.
?
T/Capt.
01.10.1918, seniority 10.04.1918
Capt.
10.10.1921
Maj.
10.04.1930
RAF:

Fl.Lt.
?
Sq.Ldr.
24.11.1930, seniority 01.07.1930
W/Cdr.
01.07.1935
Gp.Capt.
01.07.1937
(A) A/Cdre.
? (retd 01.06.1943)
10.04.1918
-
01.10.1918
commissioned, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
01.10.1918
-
01.07.1925
temporary commission RAF (Dental Branch)
01.07.1921


transferred to the Army Dental Corps (while still being attached to the RAF)
01.07.1925
-
24.11.1930
returned to the Army (Army Dental Corps)
24.10.1930


permanent commision RAF (Dental Branch)
26.09.1935
-
1943
Director of Dental Services, Directorate of RAF Medical Services, Air Ministry

LDS; FDSRSC

Southey,
Harold Frederic George
H.F.G. Southey
(03?).1906
Hollingbourne, Kent
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937



qualified at specialist signals course
Spreckley,
Herbert Dorman
H.D. Spreckley
(03?).1905
Bristol. Gloucestershire
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.02.1937
Education: psa



qualified at a specialist armament course; additionally qualified at an advanced armament course
Stainforth,
George Hedley
G.H. Stainforth
(06?).1899
Bromley, Greater London
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.06.1936
Air Force Cross AFC
?
?
       
Stanley-Turner,
Guy Neil Jacobson
G.N.J. Stanley-Turner
(06?).1904
Wandsworth, Greater London
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.02.1937
       
Starling,
Eric Allen
E.A. Starling
?
-
P/O (prob)
27.03.1934 [70643]
P/O
07.03.1935
F/O
27.09.1935
F/Lt.
03.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
?
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
07.03.1944
Sq.Ldr.
?
(A) W/Cdr.
? (emgcy 28.12.1956)
Mention in Despatches MID
14.06.1945
?
27.03.1934


commissioned into Reserve of Air Force Officers - General Duties Branch
Steedman,
Edward Blakeway
E.B. Steedman
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937



qualified at specialist engineering course; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Stemp,
Geoffrey Charles
G.C. Stemp
(09?).1897
Camberwell, London
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.02.1937



qualified at specialist armament course
Stevens,
Charles Herbert Algernon
C.H.A. Stevens
14.12.1901
-
11.1986
Torbay, Devon
Sq.Ldr.
01.10.1936
W/Cdr.
01.01.1940
(A) Gp.Capt.
? (retd 12.01.1948)
16.08.1922


first commission




Stevens,
James Cornelius
J.C. Stevens
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.01.1937