World War II Fighter Ace. He was educated at St. Dunstan's College, Catford, and. after a brief period in the Merchant Navy, enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1935. He saw his first combat action as Flight Commander of 92 Squadron during the Battle of France, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by George VI on June 28, 1940. During the Battle of Britain, he was promoted to Squadron Leader as commander of 257 Squadron and was awarded two Bars to his Distinguished Flying Cross. In July 1941, he was promoted to Wing Commander and made Wing Leader at RAF Duxford, leading fighter missions into northern France. While serving as Wing Leader at Biggin Hill in 1942, he was shot down near Boulogne and imprisoned in Stalag Luft III. He escaped on February 1, 1945, and spent some time fighting with the Russian Army before making his way back to England. In 1946, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross by the United States Army Air Forces and retired from the Royal Air Force, having been accredited with a total of twenty-seven "kills." In later life, he continued flying as a test pilot and ran a successful mushroom farm. He also worked as technical advisor on the movie "Battle of Britain" in 1969.
World War II Fighter Ace. He was educated at St. Dunstan's College, Catford, and. after a brief period in the Merchant Navy, enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1935. He saw his first combat action as Flight Commander of 92 Squadron during the Battle of France, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by George VI on June 28, 1940. During the Battle of Britain, he was promoted to Squadron Leader as commander of 257 Squadron and was awarded two Bars to his Distinguished Flying Cross. In July 1941, he was promoted to Wing Commander and made Wing Leader at RAF Duxford, leading fighter missions into northern France. While serving as Wing Leader at Biggin Hill in 1942, he was shot down near Boulogne and imprisoned in Stalag Luft III. He escaped on February 1, 1945, and spent some time fighting with the Russian Army before making his way back to England. In 1946, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross by the United States Army Air Forces and retired from the Royal Air Force, having been accredited with a total of twenty-seven "kills." In later life, he continued flying as a test pilot and ran a successful mushroom farm. He also worked as technical advisor on the movie "Battle of Britain" in 1969.
Bio by: js
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