29 August 2020
Group Captain Billy DRAKE DSO DFC* (20 e/a) No. 1(F) Sqn HURRICANES in FRANCE, 213 Sqn, 421 Flight BATTLE of BRITAIN, SPITFIRE FR, OC 112 Sqn KITTYHAWKS WESTERN DESERT, Wing Ldr MALTA, then 20 WG TYPHOONS and at SHAEF HQ
29 August 2020
Group Captain Thomas F DALTON-MORGAN DSO OBE DFC*
22 Sqn Vildebeestes BATTLE OF BRITAIN 43 Sqn long OC, HURRICANE, 17ftr victories, IBSLEY WG LDR, brilliant 2nd TAF Group Captain Ftr Ops Plan D-DAY & EUROPE .
29 August 2020
Miss Lettice CURTIS ATA
“arguably the most remarkable woman pilot of the Second World War” (Telegraph) One of the first women pilots to join the British Air Transport Auxiliary, she flew continuously throughout the war, later flight test engineer & air racing pilot: her book The Forgotten Pilots illustrates country’s debt to Lords Beaverbrook & (No. 13: Lord Balfour), and AIR TRANSPORT AUXILIARY. Also wrote her autobiography. “In 1992 she gained her helicopter licence, but three years later decided that, at the age of 80, her flying days were over.” Representing WOMEN PILOTS & the FERRY POOLS.
29 August 2020
Commander R Michael CROSLEY DSC* RNVR, RN
Fleet Air Arm ace and later a test pilot. FAA fighters & MALTA Convoys, EAGLE sinking (160 lost), TORCH LANDINGS, IMPLACABLE, PACIFIC, JAPAN, KOREAN
Representing METROPOLITAN POLICE (501 lost)
29 August 2020
Air Vice-Marshal Edward D CREW CB DSO* DFC* MA (12+ e/a & 21 V-1s)
NIGHT-FIGHTER ace. Civil Air Guard & CAMBRIDGE UAS, RAFVR 604, 85, 96 (& 1950 Malaya 1945) Sqns BEAUFIGHTERS & MOSQUITO; e/a included many He-111s.
29 August 2020
Group Captain Frank R ‘Chota’ CAREY CBE DFC** AFC DFM (28+ e/a)
43, 3, 43, 245, OC 135 Sqn & Burma 267 Wg Ldr India, CO Fayid with 28-35 Hurricane German and Japanese victories in BATTLE OF BRITAIN and the Far East
29 August 2020
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry BROADHURST GCB KBE DSO* DFC* AFC
41, 19, CFI No.4 FTS Abu Sueir, OC 111 Sqn, CO Wittering & Hornchurch, Desert Air Force, Cdr 83 Gp, C-in-C 2nd TAF, Bomber Cd & Cdr AFCE
29 August 2020
Air Vice-Marshal Harold A C BIRD-WILSON CBE DSO DFC* AFC* (9 e/a)
Flying ace. Second Archibald McIndoe ‘guinea pig’ after pre-war crash, No.17 Sqn Battles of France & Britain, Lieutenant Commander 234, OC 124 & 66, 121 & 122 Wgs & Mustangs
29 August 2020
Wing Commander Roland Prosper ‘Bee’ BEAMONT CBE DSO DFC* USAAF DFC FRAES (6-9 e/a + 31 V-1s)
87, 79, 56 Flight Lieutenant & Commander TYPHOON, OC609, TEMPEST Wing Leader 3,486, 56 Sqns, Battles of France & Britain, 1942-78 leading test pilot
29 August 2020
Harold Balfour, First Lord BALFOUR of Inchrye PC MC* (9 e/a)
Flight Lieutenant Commander as 43(F) Sqn was formed by 23yr old Major Sholto Douglas MC; flew Western Front Sopwith Strutters & Camels; Churchill’s 1938-44 USofS for Air
Representing the Royal Flying Corps & Royal Air Force