2 September 2020
Corporal ‘Tommy’ George ATKINS
Nos 1(F) & 43(F) Sqns, in pre-war motor industry serviced BATTLE OF BRITAIN HURRICANES, SPITFIRES in ITALY & 1944/45 LANCASTERS
One of many GROUND TECHNICIANS who played a vital role throughout.
29 August 2020
Born in in 1922, Norman Loats joined the US Navy in July 1942 and was assigned as storekeeper to the aircraft carrier USS Gambier Bay in 1944. The Gambier Bay sailed to join Carrier Support Group 2, which was staging in the Marshalls to support the invasion of the Marianas.
29 August 2020
“Frequently leading attacks from the front, earning him the nickname ‘Mad Mike’, Calvert was ‘a tremendous leader of men; quite careless of his own danger” “MICHAEL CALVERT, who survived both the Chindit expeditions into Burma, was […]
29 August 2020
Colonel Henri Lucien LAFONT Cdr Légion d’Honneur, Comp. de la Libération, G.Off de l’Ordre de Mérite, Croix de Guerre
Dramatically escaped Vichy-held Algeria for England, flew HURRICANES, one of 13 French pilots in the BATTLE of BRITAIN. 1938-65 L’Armée de l’Air & RAF 245, 615, 341 Alsace Sqns.
In memory of his friends Commandant René MOUCHOTTE, Bernard DUPÉRIER, and some 300 FRENCH pilots killed in the war.
29 August 2020
Squadron Leader John AA ‘Johnny’ GIBSON DSO DFC* (e/a 12)
RAF & RNZAF (destroyed c.14, damaged l2 e/a) for NEW ZEALAND in BATTLES of FRANCE & BRITAIN, 501SQN, No.53 OTU, in PACIFIC, RHINE CROSSING at REES, 5th time shot down, BURMA, VIP pilot
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
Group Captain John “Cat’s Eyes” CUNNINGHAM CBE DSO** DFC* AE DL FRAeS (20+ e/a)
Great Airborne Interception (AI) Radar success, mostly with Jimmy RAWNSLEY on BEAUFIGHTER & MOSQUITO NIGHT FIGHTER OPS; post-war test pilot.
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)