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Royal Air Force (RAF) Officers
1939-1945

 

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N.W. Wadham  to  C.S. Wynne-Eyton
Wadham,
Nicholas Wyndham
N.W. Wadham
(03?).1894
Paddington, London
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd) 27.02.1929
Education: psa
       
Wake,
John Hugh Coulson
J.H.C. Wake
(03?).1900
Bromley, Greater London, Kent
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1936
Education: psa
      qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Wakefield,
Edgar W[r]ight
"Ted"
E.W. Wakefield (Photo courtesy of Mr Brian Deacon)
Son of Raymond Edgar Wakefield, of Toronto, Canada.
Married (23.03.1940) Jean Huddleston Abney-Hastings, daughter of Reginald Mowbray Chichester Huddleston and Edith Maud Rawdon-Hastings, Countess of Loudoun (marriage dissolved 1949); one daughter.
?
-
(A) P/O (prob)
15.04.1939 [41967] (commission terminated on cessation of duty 10.10.1939)
15.04.1939
-
10.10.1939
first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
Wakeford,
[Sir] Richard Gordon
R.G. Wakeford

20.04.1922
-
13.02.2007
Fochabers Moray
P/O
07.03.1942
...
...
Air Marshal
01.07.1975 (retd 31.03.1978)
1941


joined RAF
1942
-
1945
flying Catalina flying boats, Coastal Command, operating out of India, Scotland, N Ireland
1945
-
1947
flying Liberator and York transport aircraft on overseas routes
...
-
...
...
Wales,
Jack Bertram
J.B. Wales
(03?).1917
Ashton under Lyne
-
07.12.1956
Army:

2nd Lt.
26.02.1936
Lt.
26.02.1939 (reld 07.09.1940)
RAF:

P/O
07.09.1940 [44516]
(WS) F/O
07.09.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
07.09.1942 (reld 26.03.1947; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.)
(T) Sq.Ldr.
?
F/O RAuxAF
26.03.1947, seniority 21.01.1947
F/Lt. RAuxAF
17.05.1949
Sq.Ldr. RAuxAF
19.01.1951, seniority 17.05.1949
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1952
New Year 52
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
13.09.1944
Burma, 2nd half 43
Territorial Efficiency Decoration TD
03.10.1950
& 1st Clasp
Efficiency Medal (Territorial) EM
03.09.1948
?
26.02.1936

commissioned, 9th Battalion The Manchester Regiment (Territorial Army)
24.08.1939


mobilized TA
07.09.1940


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [temporary commission]
(1943)


28 Squadron RAF (Burma)
26.03.1947


commissioned, RAuxAF (General Duties Branch)
17.05.1949


Commanding Officer, No. 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron RAuxAF
Crashed with an Avro Shackleton MR Mk 3 aircraft (WR970) as an Avro senior production test pilot at Foolow, Derby, 07.12.1956.
Walker,
Reginald Geoffrey Miles
R.G.M. Walker (Photo courtesy of Mr Patrick Walker) R.G.M. Walker (Photo courtesy of Mr Patrick Walker)
30.06.1917
-
04.09.1998
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
(A) P/O (prob)
08.06.1936 [37990]
P/O
08.06.1937
F/O
08.01.1939
F/Lt.
03.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1941
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
22.05.1944
Sq.Ldr.
25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1944
Sq.Ldr.
18.12.1948, seniority 01.08.1947 (retd 30.06.1966; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)
(T) W/Cdr.
01.07.1944-01.11.1947
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
30.01.1942
?
08.06.1936


commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
08.06.1942
 
 
transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)



spent most of his time in the Mediterranean flying from Malta on photo reconnaissance missions



244 Squadron RAF (Middle East)
23.01.1946


extended service commission
18.12.1948


permanent commission
21.02.1949


transferred, Secretarial Branch
Wallis,
John Beresford Martin
J.B.M. Wallis
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
Education: psa
       
Walter,
Cyril
C. Walter
06.01.1900
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1936
W/Cdr.
?
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.12.1941 (retd 08.03.1946)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
?
?
01.04.1918     first commission RAF
       
Walters,
W E
W.E. Walters
F/O ?
(07.1942)     Commanding Officer, HSL 138
Warburton,
James
J. Warburton
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
      qualified by examination as interpreter
Ward,
Ellacott Lyne Stephens
E.L.S. Ward
22.08.1905
Plymouth, Devon
-
10.1991
Bournemouth, Hampshire
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1947
      qualified at specialist engineering course; completed satisfactorily a course at the Military or Naval Staff College
Wardlaw,
John Millar
J.M. Wardlaw
Had four sisters & two brothers.
24.09.1920
Linlithgow
-
14.01.1948
[Ohlsdorf Military Cemetery, near Hamburg, Germany]
Acm.
29.07.1936 [591118]
F/Sgt.
31.12.1943
P/O (prob)
16.04.1944 [55149]
P/O
16.10.1944
(WS) F/O
16.10.1944
F/O
25.02.1947, seniority 16.04.1945
(WS) F/Lt.
16.04.1946
F/Lt.
16.10.1947
Mention in Despatches MID
02.06.1943
?
29.07.1936
 
 
enlisted RAF
(1943)


18 Group RAF (Donibristle)
16.04.1944
 
 
first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission to 21.08.1946]



No. 4 British Flying Training School (Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, USA)
07.10.1944


glider pilot training, 23 Group, No. 5 Glider Training School
22.08.1946
 
 
extended service commission
06.06.1947


supply fighter pilot for BAFO Area 84
12.06.1947


pilot, 33 Squadron RAF
14.06.1947
-
14.01.1948
pliot, 3 (F) Squadron RAF (killed as a result of an air to ground firing exercise; his aircraft, a Tempest Mk V [SN339],  crashed into Lubeck Bay; the court of inquiry lists several possible causes: pilot's error, ricochet from own tanks firing in area or misfire of own cannon shells) 
Watkins,
Douglas Herbert
"Dirty"
E.L.S. Ward
Married & moved to Dunsford, Devon.
c. 1912/13
Heswall, Cheshire
-
23.03.1969
Dunsford, Devon
P/O
26.08.1939 [90363]
F/O
21.09.1939
F/Lt.
21.09.1940
(T) Sq.Ldr.
?
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
26.12.1943
Sq.Ldr.
? (reld 10.02.1958, retaining the rank of W/Cdr.)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
?
?
26.08.1939


first commission, Auxiliary Air Force (General Duties Branch)
26.08.1939
-
16.11.1941
pilot, 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AuxAF
17.11.1941
-
12.09.1942
Commanding Officer, 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AuxAF
[flew cover operations during the raid on Dieppe 08.1942]

21.08.1940
11.10.1940
 


1½ victories:
½ Do 17
1 Do 17
Became a founding member of the Devon Cricket Umpires Society and was made Honorary Secretary & Treasurer. Acting Secretary of Devon County Cricket Club and during the 1968 Annual General Meeting he was elected Secretary.
Webb,
Eric Bingham
E.B. Webb
Younger son of Lt.Col. George Ambrose Congreve Webb, DSO, and Hilda Dynely Schreiber, of Hythe, Kent.
26.09.1905
[Cork?], Ireland
-
02.04.1942
(KIA) [age 37]
[Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles France, row 5, collective grave 31-34]
Flight Cadet
18.01.1924
P/O
16.12.1925 [16212]
F/O
16.06.1927
F/Lt.
06.05.1931
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
(T) W/Cdr.
01.03.1940
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.06.1942
Education: Warden House Preparatory School, Deal; The College Storrington and Wellington College; RAF Cadet College, Cranwell
18.01.1924
-
16.12.1925
"A" Squadron, RAF Cadet College, Cranwell (won the Sword of Honour)
16.12.1925


first commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch)
23.09.1941
-
02.04.1942
Commanding Officer, RAF Station Snaith, Yorkshire
02.04.1942

  was killed in action while flying an operation (as Pilot) with 150 Squadron RAF against Poissy, France; his Wellington IC bomber [X9814 JN-O] crashed near Villacoublay, Paris
Weir,
Archibald Graham
A.G. Weir
(09?).1885
Edmonton, Essex
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd) 01.07.1925
      qualified at university course in meteorology
Wellings,
Donald Maitland
D.M. Wellings
Son of Evelyn Valentine Wellings.
Married (06.09.1941) Stella Villiers-Stuart (born 25.03.1918), daughter of Col. John Patrick Villiers-Stuart and Phyllis March Read; one son. She re-married Lt.Col. Anthony Hamilton Gerald Barton, MC, RA.
(09?).1913
Warwick, Warwickshire
-
09.10.1944
(KIA) [age 31]
[Barneveld (Voorthuizen) General Cemetery, The Netherlands, grave 122]
(A) P/O (prob)
1939? [41762]
P/O (prob)
02.10.1939
P/O
06.02.1940
F/O
02.10.1940
(WS) F/Lt.
02.10.1941
(A) Sq.Ldr. 
(1942)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
22.10.1940
?
Mention in Despatches MID
11.06.1942
?
1939?


first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
06.02.1943


transferred to reserve (and called up for Air Force duty)
07.07.1943


member of the court of inquiry into the aircraft crash resulting in the death of Polish General Sikorski
?
-
09.10.1944
613 Squadron RAF
[his Mosquito crashed at the Hunneweg at Voorthuizen]
 
Wellum,
Geoffrey Harry Augustus
G.H.A. Wellum G.H.A. Wellum
G.H.A. Wellum
Married; three children.
04.08.1921
Walthamstow, Essex
-

Mullion, Cornwall
(A) P/O (prob)
23.10.1939 [42925]
P/O (prob)
20.05.1940
P/O
14.08.1940
(WS) F/O
20.05.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
20.05.1942
F/Lt.
01.07.1946, seniority 01.09.1945 (retd 30.06.1961; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
05.08.1941
*
* This officer has been with his squadron since the evacuation from Dunkirk. During the recent offensive operations over France he has led his section and flight.with great skill and determination. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged several others.
Education: Forest School
23.10.1939


first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
10.1939
-
05.1940
training
21.05.1940
-
08.1941
92 Squadron RAF (Northolt)
08.1941
-
03.1942
instructor, 52 Officer Training Unit (Aston Down)
03.1942
-

Flight Commander, 65 Squadron RAF (Debden & Malta)



test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft



gunnery instructor
01.07.1946


permanent commission



staff officer in Germany
Commodities broker, London.
Published
: First light (2002; memoir)
West,
Hamish
H. West
Son of David West (1868-1936), artist, and Jessie Garden Shiach Christie (1883-1974).
Married Ann West (née ....); one daughter, one son.
15.02.1914
-
17.02.1993
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
(A) P/O (prob)
24.03.1933 [34058]
P/O
24.03.1934
F/O
24.09.1935
F/Lt.
24.09.1937
(WS) Sq.Ldr.
01.06.1940
Sq.Ldr.
09.08.1947, seniority 01.09.1945
(A) Wg.Cdr.
? (reld 01.07.1953, retaining the rank of Wg.Cdr.)
24.03.1933


first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
(07.1940)
-
08.09.1940
Commanding Officer, 41 Squadron RAF (Hornchurch, then Catterick)
08.09.1940
-
?
Commanding Officer, 151 Squadron RAF
24.03.1944
-
01.07.1953
transferred to RAF Reserve of Officers (and called up for air force service) (extension of service for 5 years w.e.f. 30.06.1952)
Wheeler,
Allen Henry
A.H. Wheeler
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937
Education: psa
      qualified at specialist engineering course
Wheeler,
Eric Donald
J. Waugh
Last address: 47, Corhampton Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire
?
Bournemouth, Hampshire
-
06.11.1949
(died of cancer in his late 30's)
Sgt.
? [977620]
(A) P/O (prob) 
31.08.1944 [182459]
F/O
01.11.1947, seniority 26.10.1946
F/Lt.
01.01.1949
31.08.1944


first commission RAFVR - Administrative and Special Duties Branch [emergency commission]
18.01.1945


transferred to Provost Branch - RAF (as a Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal)
01.01.1948


short service commission
?
-
06.11.1949
Assistant to the Provost Marshal
Whitle,
Robert Cecil
R.C. Whitle
(09?).1902
Darlington, Durham, Yorkshire
-
Sq.Ldr. RAFO 06.09.1939
       
Whittle,
Humphrey Montagu
H.M. Whittle
(12?).1899
Chorley, Lancashire
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936
       
Whittlesey,
William Thomas
"Bill"
W.T. Whittlesey (Photo courtesy of Mr W.T. Whittlesey, via Mr Martin Carter) W.T. Whittlesey (Photo courtesy of Mr W.T. Whittlesey, via Mr Martin Carter)
W.T. Whittlesey (Photo courtesy of Mr W.T. Whittlesey, via Mr Martin Carter)
Married.
27.05.1917
March, Cambridgeshire
-
07.11.2006
Chatteris, Cambridgeshire
AC 2nd cl.
? [590853]
Cpl.
?
F/Sgt.
?
W/O
?
P/O (prob)
02.12.1943 [53667]
P/O
02.06.1944
(WS) F/O
02.06.1944 (reld 20.10.1945; on account of medical unfitness for Air Force service; retaining the rank of F/Lt.)
(T) F/Lt.
?
25.04.1934


enlisted RAF (served in the ranks)
1940?
-
1941
"B" Flight, 113 Squadron RAF (Heliopolis, Egypt)
mid 1942


returned to the UK
1942
-
1945
driving instructor, RAF Blakehill Farm, Gloucestershire
[very seriously injured on his motorcycle after being accidently run over by a tank transporter with tank on Birdlip Hill, Gloucs]
02.12.1943


first commission RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Returned home to Cambridgeshire and retrained as a teacher. Retired 1977.
Wigglesworth,
Cecil George
C.G. Wigglesworth (Photo courtesy of Mrs Rosemary Irving)
Second son of late George Wigglesworth, BA, BSc.
Married Margaret Cade, youngest daughter of late Cade Bemrose, Derby; one son, one daughter.

12.10.1893
-
08.08.1961
Gp.Capt.
01.12.1943
(A) A/Cdre.
1943?
Education: Chesterfield; London



Served European War, 1914-1918, with RNAS and RAF Inter­Allied Aeronautical Commission of Control (Germany), 1919-1921; Army of Occupation, Constantinople, 1922-1923; RAF Far East Flight, 1927-1929, Coastal Command, HQ (Air Staff), 1931-1933; Commanding Officer, 201 Squadron RAF, 1933-1935; Air Ministry (Operational Requirements), 1935-1939
01.1939
-
1940
Commanding Officer, 209 Squadron RAF
06.1940


Commanding Officer, RAF Silloth
18.04.1941


Staff, Directorate of Operations (Naval Co-operation)
20.09.1943
-
1944
Air Officer Commanding, RAF Iceland
08.02.1945
-
1949
Air Attaché, Ankara (Turkey)
Willcock,
Clifford Arthur Bowman
C.A.B. Willcock
?
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.07.1935
Air Force Cross AFC
1940

       
Willetts,
Alfred Henry
A.H. Willetts
?
-
Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
Education: psa
      qualified at specialist engineering course
Williams,
George Gilbert Algernon
G.G.A. Williams
(12?).1888
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire
-
Sq.Ldr. (retd)
01.04.1918



qualified at specialist engineering course
Williams,
William Ogwyn
W.O. Williams
Son of Johnny and Sarah Williams.
Husband of Elizabeth Williams, of Lower Cwmtwrch, Swansea.
1919 ?
-
16.09.1942
(KIA) [age 23]
[Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 12.F.2]
Sgt.
? [655177]
P/O
04.10.1941 [46839]
04.10.1941
 
 
commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
16.09.1942
pilot, 106 Squadron RAF
[was lost in operation against Essen in his Lancaster R5681 ZN-?, after having taken off from Coningsby at 20.30 hrs; the aircraft was shot down in the vicinity of Oererkenschwick and Datteln, some 30 km NE of Essen]
Willoughby de Broke,
Lord;
20th Baron, cr. 1492, succ. 1923;
Verney, John Henry Peyto
Lord Willoughby de Broke (J.H.P. Verney)
Only child of 19th Baron (Richard Grenville Verney) and Marie Frances Lisette, OBE (died 1941), youngest daughter of C.A. Hanbury,
Strathgarve, Ross­shire; married 04.10.1933, Rachel, daughter of Sir Bourchier Wrey, 11th Bt, and Mrs Godfrey Heseltine; one son one daughter.
21.05.1896
Chelsea, Greater London, Middlesex
-
25.05.1986
Chelsea, Greater London, Middlesex
Army:
Lt. ? (half-pay 25.10.1919)
TARO:
Capt. ? [3157]
Hon. Col. 10.06.1942 (retd 26.09.1946; age limit)
AAF:
Sq.Ldr. 26.08.1939 [90238]
(T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1940
(A) Gp.Capt.
(T) Gp.Capt. 01.01.1943
(WS) Gp.Capt. 01.10.1945
A/Cdre. ? (retd)
Military Cross MC 22.06.1918 *
Air Force Cross AFC 11.07.1940  

* For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Though heavily shelled and attacked from several directions and in imminent danger of being cut off he held a position against greatly superior numbers and covered the withdrawal, of other troops. He showed splendid coolness and determination.

AE; KStJ (05.01.1948); JP

Education: Eton; Sandhurst
1914 - 1918 served European War: 17th/21st Lancers (MC)
1919 - 1922 ADC to Governor of Bombay
1925 - 1929 Adjutant, Warwickshire Yeomanry
1929 - 1935 Joint Master Warwickshire Hounds
1936 - 1939 Commanding Officer, 605 (County of Warwick) AAF Squadron (AFCAEA)
1940     Staff Officer 11 Fighter Group (despatches)
1941 - 1944 Deputy Director Public Relations, Air Ministry
1945 - 1946 Director Public Relations
Member: National Hunt Cttee, 1940 (Steward, 1942-44, 1950-53, and 1964-67); Jockey Club, 1941 (Steward, 1944-47 and 1954-56). Chm., Tattersall's Cttee, 1948-53. Chairman: Birmingham Racecourse Co. Ltd, 1952-65 (Dir, 1932-65); The Steeplechase Co. (Cheltenham) Ltd, 1953-71 (Dir, 1944-71); Wolverhampton Racecourse Co. Ltd, 1947-71; Race­Finish Recording Co. Ltd, later Racecourse Technical Services Ltd, 1959-70 (Dir, 1947-70). Mem., Bloodstock Industry Cttee, Animal Health Trust, 1944- (Chm., 1964-77). President: Hunters' Improvement Society, 1957-58; Warwickshire Association of Boys' Clubs; Scouts Association; Council for Order of St John, 1946-68. Honorary Colonel, The Warwickshire Yeomanry, 10.06.1942-1963. Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, 28.08.1939-68.
Wilson,
Ronald Christopher
R.C. Wilson
?
-
Sq.Ldr.
01.04.1937
       
Woodhall,
Alfred Basil
A.B. Woodhall, 1916 (Photo courtesy of Mr Martin Woodhall)
A.B. Woodhall, Squadron Leader 824 Squadron, 1938 (Photo courtesy of Mr Martin Woodhall)
A.B. Woodhall, Wing Commander, Duxford, 1940 (Photo courtesy of Mr Martin Woodhall)
A.B. Woodhall, Group Captain, Brindisi, 1944 (Photo courtesy of Mr Martin Woodhall)
A.B. Woodhall, pencil drawing (Source: http://avion.runway.cz/index.php?f=galerie-1)
09.01.1897
Ulverston, Cumbria, Lancashire
-
11.06.1968
Dunedin, NZ
RM:

T/Lt.
08.10.1916
Prob. 2nd Lt.
22.07.1918, seniority 08.10.1916
Lt.
> 01.1919, seniority 08.10.1916
Capt.
20.10.1926
RAF:

(T) F/O
12.01.1925 [05176]
(T) F/Lt.
01.07.1929
F/Lt.
01.08.1930, seniority  01.07.1929
Sq.Ldr.
01.12.1936
W/Cdr.
01.01.1940 (retd 14.07.1945; own request; retaining the rank of Gp.Capt.)
(T) Gp.Capt.
01.12.1941
RCAF:

P/O
05.07.1950 [205038]
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
17.03.1941
distinguished services rendered in operational commands of the RAF
Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 CzWC
10.01.1941
valuable services in connection with the war
Officer, Legion of Merit (US) LM
06.05.1947

in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war [actually awarded 05.05.45]

08.01.1916


joined the Royal Marines
(1916)


2nd RM Battalion (France; wounded 06.12.1916)
05.09.1918
-
(01.1919)
HMS Agincourt (battleship)
03.01.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS Constance (light cruiser)
(01.1925)


Plymouth Division, RM
12.01.1925


started flying with the Fleet Air Arm [attached to RAF]
(05.1926)


RAF Gosport [attached to RAF]
05.05.1926
-
(07.1927)<