9 September 2020
Squadron Leader Lawrence ‘Larry’ CURTIS DFC. Squadron Leader Larry Curtis flew more than 70 bombing operations during the Second World War and had the very unusual distinction for a wireless operator of earning two DFCs.
30 August 2020
Wing Commander R C ‘Cliff’ ALABASTER DSO* DFC*
(Subsequently contributed to the development of POSTWAR AVIATION, then as pilot Captain, Comets & BOAC)
Representing OBSERVERS, the PATHFINDER FORCE, and 1943 PEENEMUNDE RAID (Operation Hydra)
30 August 2020
Group Captain Hugh VERITY DSO* DFC MA Oxon.
UAS, 252 & 29 Sqn BEAUFIGHTERS then 161.
Representing SPECIAL DUTY LYSANDER & HUDSON SQUADRONS, SOE & OSS RESISTANCE & OPERATIONS
30 August 2020
Group Captain James B TAIT DSO*** DFC*
Long, distinguished service on BOMBER OPERATIONS, CO 617 Sqn and the Tallboy LANCASTERS for the SINKING of TIRPITZ in Tromso Fjord 12NOV44
30 August 2020
Group Captain Desmond F B SHEEN DFC* (5e/a)
from Sydney, AUSTRALIA for BofB & 72 Sqn SPITFIRE operations, friend of Wing Commander JB ‘Nick’ NICOLSON VC DFC &
Representing the support of DOMINION AIR FORCES.
30 August 2020
Leslie Scarman, Baron SCARMAN PC OBE
RAF 1940-45, BOMBER COMMAND and Squadron Leader ‘TORCH’, IKE-MONTY Liaison, Nov42-May45 PSO AM TEDDER Desert & to Europe SURRENDERS
30 August 2020
Air Marshal Sir John ROWLANDS GC KBE
Representing the continuing vital role of GROUND ARMAMENT & BOMB DISPOSAL, A.R.P. and the CIVIL DEFENCE in minimising BLITZ bombing effects & V-1 & V-2 casualties
30 August 2020
Squadron Leader John N ROWLAND DSO DFC*
RAF: 613 SQN Hectors + LYSANDERS May40, CALAIS supply CFS HALIFAX & LANCASTER WICKENBY BOMBING OPS 12 SQN (+109 & 626) & 625 SQN Kelstern. Awarded DSO twice in three days during bombing operations over Germany in 1943.
30 August 2020
Wing Commander Branse Burbridge was the RAF’s most successful night fighter pilot, being credited with the destruction of 21 enemy aircraft, including four during one patrol.
30 August 2020
Wing Commander Lucian Ercolani was a wartime bomber pilot decorated three times for gallantry in operations over Europe and in the Far East; he was later chairman of the family furniture company Ercol.
30 August 2020
Air Vice Marshal John Lindsay BARKER CB CBE DFC
(Father at JUTLAND). Army Co-op 26 Sqn, BEF, OC 241 Sqn HURRICANES, WAR CABINET Plans, OC 625 Sqn LANCASTERS inc. OP MANNA, TIGER Force HK
30 August 2020
Flight Officer Constance BABINGTON-SMITH MBE Legion of Merit FRSL
Leading wartime PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETER (IMAGERY INTELLIGENCE) with brilliant V-1 ramps discovery & much else
Representing PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE, vital in ground, naval & air operations
29 August 2020
Wing Commander Thomas F ‘Ginger’ NEIL DFC DFC* AFC AE (17 e/a)
249 Sqn HURRICANES, BATTLE of BRITAIN, then to MALTA in May off ARK ROYAL to Dec4l; in l944 shared 16 e/a strafed + USAF 9th AIR FORCE Representing the NIGHT-FIGHTER WAR
Wing Commander Bransome A ‘Branse’ BURBRIDGE DSO* DF'C* DFC (US) (21 e/a & 3 V-1s)
Top scorer, with Sqn Ldr FS ‘Bill’ SKELTON, on MOSQUITO in UK and 100 GROUP long range support