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No.602 Sqn RAF

Name : No.602 Sqn RAF Founded : 12th September 1925 Disbanded : 10th March 1957 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 10th March 1957 More Details : City of Glasgow (Auxiliary) Cave leonem cruciatum - Beware the tormented lion Known Code Letters : , LO, ZT, DU,

We have been informed by pilot Ian Blair about one of the aircraft of this squadron : The Spitfire MkVII had the Squadron markings of 312 Sqdn (DU-G) but the aircraft was on the strength of 602 Sqn. and was inherited by 602 Sqn from the Station Flight at Skae Bray, after 312 Sqn had left the area. The time span did not permit the ground personnel sufficient time to paint new letters on the aircraft. This fact has led to the incorrect assumption that I, the pilot of the aircraft, was a member of 312 Sqn.

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
Stuart Nigel Rose		June 1940	unknown		Spitfire
C. F. Babbage	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	26th August 1940	Spitfire
H. J. Bell-Walker	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	12th August 1941	Spitfire
R. F. Boyd		unknown	unknown
Leonard Harry Chalice	Flight Sergeant	unknown	4th July 1944		Spitfire	MH709	Killed in Action
W. H. Coverley	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown		Spitfire	P9381
D. W. Elcome	Sergeant	unknown	26th October 1940		Spitfire	R6839	Killed in Action
F J Fox	Flight Sergeant	unknown	unknown	10th June 1944	Spitfire	NH203
John Freeborn		unknown	unknown
Maurice William Frith	Flying Officer	unknown	10th May 1944		Spitfire	MJ303	Killed in Action
W. P. Hopkin	Pilot Officer	September 1940	unknown
C H Jenkins	Flight Sergeant	unknown	unknown	07th January 1944	Spitfire	MH722
W. R. Jones	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown
L. D. Kidd	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	06th June 1944	Spitfire	MJ339
James Lacey		March 1942	unknown	25th April 1942	Spitfire
Harold Land	plt off	unknown	7th March 1931		Avro 504N	H2975	Killed flying Avro 504N H2975 of 602 Sqn,based in Renfrew Scotland in Collision with Wapiti J9603, near Port Glasgow he was 24 Killed in Action
Archie McKellar		unknown	unknown
Mickey Mount	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown		Spitfire
George Christopher Philips	Flt Off	unknown	7th March 1931		Wapita	J9603	Plt Off George Christopher Philips killed was killed when his Wapiti IIA J9603,of 602 Sqn, based at Renfrew was in a Collision with Avro 504N H2975, near Port Glasgow AC2 Edward E Smith baled out Killed in Action
R A Sutherland	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown	18th June 1944	Spitfire	MH709
J. D. Urie	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown		Spitfire	X4110
Paul Webb	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	09th September 1940	Spitfire	K9910
Paul Webb	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	09th September 1940	Spitfire	K9910
G. A. Whipps	Sergeant	unknown	6th September 1940		Spitfire	N3227

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.602 Sqn RAF
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name.
Name	Info
Aries, E. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Aries, E. W.	Aries, E. W.
Babbage, C. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Babbage, C. F.	Babbage, C. F. Sergeant C.F.Babbage of No 602 Squadron bailed out to the South of Selsey Bill on the 26th of August 1940. Sergeant Babbage Spitfire had been shot up by a Bf 109 of JG 53.
Barthropp, Paddy Click the name above to see a profile of Barthropp, Paddy    Died : 16 / 4 / 2008	Barthropp, Paddy At the outbreak of war Paddy flew obsolete Hinds, Hectors and Lysanders in combat, but converted to Spitfires and joined 602 Squadron at Tangmere. During the Battle of Britain he flew with some of the great aces - Douglas Bader, Sailor Malan, and Bob Stanford Tuck. In 1941 he was a Flight Commander with 610 Squadron. Continuing to fly Spitfires, now with 122 Squadron based at Hornchurch, he flew fighter sweeps and escort missions. On 17th May 1942 he was shot down over St Omer. He baled out but was captured, spending the next three years as a POW. One of the RAFs best known and best loved characters, though the bane of certain senior officers, Paddy Barthropps RAF service spanned the period from bi-planes to supersonic jets. Joining the RAF in 1938, his first squadron was 613 flying Hinds, Hectors and Lysanders. In 1940 he was released to fly Spitfires with 602 Squadron where he shared in the destruction of two aircraft. He was posted to 610 Squadron, and then to 91 Squadron, shooting down two Bf 109s during summer 1941 and receiving the DFC. In August 1941 he returned to 610 Squadron as a flight commander. He was shot down three times, the third time being taken prisoner ofwar. He had by then brought his total to 9. Scraps in the air were accompanied by scrapes on the ground, and appearances in Magistrates Courts for disorderly conduct. Addicted to fast cars and lively ladies - and the sworn enemy of stuffed shirts everywhere - he was the irrepressible life and soul of any party, and a persistant thorn in the side of overweening authority as the Germans were to discover. The war over, he was posted to the Empire Test Pilots School where he flew over a hundred different types of plane in ten months. Soon, he was out in the Sudan and in serious trouble again - under arrest after taking a hippo to an upper-crust party. As a boy, he had been taught to ride by champion jockey Steve Donaghue and now, posted to Hong Kong, he rode winners on the track at Happy Valley, and seriously thought of turning professional. Then it was back to the U.K. to take up an appointment as a Fighter Station Commander, and to lead the Coronation fly-past over Buckingham Palace. He left the RAF to set up his own luxury car-hire firm. He died on 16th April 2008.
Bell-Walker, H. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Bell-Walker, H. J.	Bell-Walker, H. J. Sergeant H.J.Bell-Walker of No 72 Squadron. On the 18th of September 1940 he was badly wounded when his Spitfire I (R6704) was attacked by Bf 109's over Gravesend, Kent. On the 12th of August 1941 he was shot down in his Spitfire V by a Bf 109, wounded and captured while flying with No 602 Squadron as No 2 to Squadron Leader A.Deere.
Blair, Ian Click the name above to see a profile of Blair, Ian    Died : 5 / 10 / 2016	Blair, Ian Ian Blair joined 113 Squadron in 1938 as a AC1/Armourer AG. on Hawker Hind and later Blenheim Mk 1s. He took part in the heavy fighting of the first Lybian campaign. He was forced to take control and fly the Blenheim airceaft after his pilot was killed following an attack by an Italian Fiat CR 42. Remarkably he managed not only to evade the enemy aircraft, but fly to fly the Blenheim 350 miles back to his base where he made a succesful textbook landing. This extraordinary action earned him the award of an immediate DFM. The experience led him to train as a pilot at No 4 SFTS RAF Habbaniya, where the No 6 War Course were heavily engaged in operations to raize the siege of the base from the Iraqi Army. He was finally awarded his wings in May 1941. On return to the UK he served with 501 Squadron on combat duties on Spitfire Mk V's until injured as a result of enemy action. On return to flying duties he was posted to 602 Squadron flying MkV's and MkIX's until June 1944. In February 1944, he claimed a high altitude victory by destroying a Me.109 F at an altitude of 35,000 feet, flying a Spitfire Mk.VII H.F.
Boyd, R. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Boyd, R. F.	Boyd, R. F. Flight Lieutenant Robert Findley Boyd flew with No 602 Squadron from the outbreak of the War and through the Battle of Britain. He sot down a total of 9 with 6 shared.
Brothers, Peter Click the name above to see a profile of Brothers, Peter    Died : 18 / 12 / 2008	Brothers, Peter Learnt to fly at the age of 16 and joined the RAF two years later in 1936. He first saw action in 1940 when as a Flight Commander in 32 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, he flew his Hurricane against the fighters and bombers of the Luftwaffe. He recalls this as an intensely busy period, during which he shot down an Me109 - his first enemy aircraft; by the end of August that same year his tally of enemy aircraft shot down increased to eight. Awarded the DFC, he was transferred to 257 Squadron where he joined Bob-Stanford Tuck as a Flight Commander. Promoted in 1941 to Squadron Leader, Pete Brothers then took command of 457 Squadron RAAF, equipped with Spitfires. A year later when 457 Squadron returned to Australia, Pete took command of 602 Squadron. In the early autumn of 1942 he went on to become Wing Leader of the Tangmere Wing, succeeding his old friend, Douglas Bader. By the end of the war Pete Brothers had amassed 875 operational hours over a 44-month period. He was credited with having personally shot down 16 enemy aircraft and damaged many more. He later went on to command 57 Squadron during the Malaya campaign. Upon return to the UK Pete Brothers joined the V-Force, flying Valiant-4 jet bombers. He retired in 1973. Sadly, Pete Brothers died 18th December 2008.
Chalice, Leonard Harry Click the name above to see a profile of Chalice, Leonard Harry    Died : 4 / 7 / 1944	Chalice, Leonard Harry Killed aged 20 on 4th July 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.IX MH709 LO-R of No.602 Sqn was shot down by fighters over Normandy. His name is on the Runnymede Memorial. Son of Harry and Elsie Chalice, of Orpington, Kent.
Charlesworth, A M Click the name above to see a profile of Charlesworth, A M	Charlesworth, A M Joined the RAF straight from school just before his 18th birthday in the summer of 1940 with the sole purpose of becoming a fighter pilot. After training, at age just 18, he was posted to RAF Ibsley, Hampshire, to 118 Sqdn, flying Spitfire 2Bs. Here he took part in his first scramble. After a month he was posted where the action was thickest, to a 11 Group Station, RAF Kenley, where he joined 602 Sqdn. His Squadron Commander was Al Deere, by this time a highly decorated ace; Al was 23 then and had already been shot down nine times. 602 Squadron was equipped with the more advanced Spitfire VBs which had two 20mm cannons, firing at 1200 rounds a minute, plus four very useful Browning 50mm machine guns firing at an even higher rate per minute. Al Deere was eventually posted to another squadron and Paddy Finucane took over - "possibly the finest fighter pilot 1 came across", Max. Charlesworth continues, "I remember him trying to get his 21st victory before his birthday and I often flew No. 2 to him. These were twitchy and tiring days when three sweeps a over occupied France day were the norm, to be met each time by several hundred Me 109s and Focke Wolf 190s, at our maximum range, where hectic dog fights ensued. We were normally outnumbered and a day could last from an early morning call at 3.30am to the last landing at 10.30pm in the semi-dark of the long summer of 1941. The average age of the approximately 30 pilots on the squadron was always about 19." During this period they were scrambled to search for and attack the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau (although they did not know it at the time) which, with escorting vessels had slipped up the Channel from Brest. The weather was awful and Max flew straight across the German battle cruiser Hipper thinking it was a Royal Navy cruiser. The Hipper opened up at Max with guns blazing but he was fortunate to escape with just a hole in one wing. In April 1942 Max was posted to a secret unit called MSFU (Merchant Service Fighter Unit) where he flew Hurricanes from catapults on merchant ships attached to convoys of anything up to fifty merchant men a time. The ships were mainly bringing supplies from America and taking them to Murmansk and Archangel, the hard-pressed Soviets and Gibraltar. Max recalls this as a highly physical and uncomfortable task, apart from also being very scary. The ships were constantly attacked by U Boat packs and aircraft. When they were in range of the latter, if they launched the Hurricane they knew they would ultimately have to bail out and hope to be picked up by either a friendly escort vessel or a sunken ships lifeboat. "The North Atlantic route to Canada, north of Iceland and down the Greenland coast at an average sped of six knots in appalling seas was not our idea of a holiday cruise", Max vividly recalls. Having survived this posting Max was then moved to 124 Sq. at West Malting, Near Maidstone, Kent. The squadron was equipped with the much more powerful Spitfire IXs. Their task here was mainly escorting USAF and RAF bombing raids into Europe. With longrange tanks fitted they were able to reach Hamburg and Ludwigshafen; later on they were able to refuel from liberated bases in France. These ops. required them to fly as Top Cover at over 30,000 feet for up to three hours, where it was so cold the pilots returned to base hardly able to climb out of their cockpits. On February 9th 1945 Max was the Senior Flight Commander on 124 Squadron during their move to Cottishall. Here they adapted the Spitfire Ks to dive-bombing. The Spitfires carried either a 500lb. bomb under the fuselage and two 250lbs. under each wing or, a 90-gallon fuel tank under the fuselage and a 250lb. bomb under each wing. Their mission was to destroy V2 sites in Holland - mainly situated in small parks near the centre of the Hague. These V2 sites were launching rockets on London in ever increasing numbers. As well as attacking the V2 sites they were to destroy railway lines used by the Germans to transport V2s into the area. These were dangerous times as the V2s sites were heavily defended by 88mm guns down to 20mm. "The flak was horrendous and we lost many" recalls Max. As Senior Flight Commander, Max often led the squadron, though identifying targets from 12,000 feet was difficult. After the war Max was one of the first pilots to convert to the Meteor twin-engined jet, later to move on to Vampires and Canberras. His flying career was completed in June 1961 when he was posted to Warsaw, Poland as the Assistant Air Attache. He finally retired from the RAF in 1966.
Closterman, Pierre Click the name above to see a profile of Closterman, Pierre    Died : 22 / 3 / 2006	Closterman, Pierre One of the RAFs best known fighter pilots, with more than 20 victories, Clostermann was a Free French officer and later the author of a classic book about World War Two flying, The Big Show. Clostermann came to Britain via the United States and was first in action with 341 (Alsace) Squadron on Spitfires in 1943. By D-Day he was with 602 Squadron, also on Spitfires, and flew a patrol over the beaches late in the afternoon of June 6th. On June 14th he became the first French pilot to land in liberated France. Rested in July 1944, Clostermann returned to action in January 1945 and from 4th March was flying Tempests with 274 Squadron. His first Tempest score was a Bf 109 on his second day during a "cannon test". In the middle of March 1945 he was posted as a Flight commander to No 56 Squadron. With this unit he destroyed a Bf109 in the air. On 8th April he was transferred to No 3 Squadron as "A" Flight commander where he on 20th April scored two Fw190D-9s. Clostermann's final score in Tempest is at least 12 destroyed, 6 shared and 2 probables. He was awarded the DSO and DFC and Bar in addition to French, Belgian and American decorations. Post war he achieved world-wide fame with The Big Show, and other books, and enjoyed a substantial career in politics and th aviation industry. Pierre Clostermann passed away on 22nd March 2006. Final Total : 33 destroyed 19 Fw190 7 Me109 2 Dornier 24 1 Fieseler 156 1 Ju252 1 Ju88 1 Ju290 1 Heinkel 111 On the ground he destroyed : 7 Ju88 6 Do18 4 He177 2 Arado 323 1 Ju252 1 Blom-Voss ,br>Add to it some 72 locomotives , 5 tanks , 1 submarine and 2 destroyers.
Costain, Hank Click the name above to see a profile of Costain, Hank	Costain, Hank Hank Costain was born in Horton on the Gower Coast and was educated at Christ College Brecon. He joined the RAFVR for pilot training in September 1940. He trained in the USA in Arizona at Thunderbird Field and Falcon Field, returning to the UK in 1941 to complete operational training at 53 OTU on Spitfire Mk1s. He flew with No 154 Squadron (Motor Industries Squadron) Spitfire Vbs in the Hornchurch Wing. The Squadron was withdrawn from 11 Group to prepare for the invasion of North Africa, operation Torch. He flew with the Squadron throughout the North African campaign and moved with the Squadron to Malta to prepare for the invasion of Sicily, operation Husky. After moving to Lentini East in Sicily his tour was completed and he was posted back to The Canal Zone 73 OTU Abu Sueir as an instructor. Having completed his instructors tour the Far East were calling for experienced Spitfire pilots and he found himself en route to No 615 Squadron (County of Surrey) R.Aux.A.F. in Burma. He baled out of a Spitfire MkVIII while operating with 615 Squadron and spent several months in hospital in Calcutta before being invalided home. Fit again he became an instructor at 61 OTU Keevil on Spitfires and Mustangs. The next tour was with 245 Squadron at Horsham St Faith flying Meteor 3s. This tour was cut short, as there was a call for the two Spitfire Squadrons in Japan to be reinforced. At the end of 1946 he found himself on No 11 Squadron at Miho in Japan as part of the BCAIR element of BCOF (British Commonwealth Occupation Force). Returning from Japan in 1948 he spent a period ferrying with No 20 Maintenance Unit followed be an appointment as Unit Test Pilot at No9 MU. He completed the CFS Course in 1952 and became Training Officer of No602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron R.Aux.A.F. Promoted to Squadron Leader in 1953, a tour as Chief Ground Instructor and OC Gunnery Squadron at 226 OCU was completed. When 226 OCU was disbanded he took command of No608 (NR) Squadron R.Aux.A.F. at Thornaby on Tees, flying Vampires. He completed his RAF career in Guided Weapons. A tour of Woomera evaluating the Bloodhound Mk2 SAM missile. Then CO of No 33 (SAM) Squadron at Butterworth in Malaysia followed by appointment as CO of No 25 (SAM) Squadron at North Coates and RAF Germany.
Coverley, W. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Coverley, W. H.    Died : 7 / 9 / 1940	Coverley, W. H. Flight Officer W.H.Coverley of No 602 Squadron baled out of his Spitfire I (P9381) on the 25th of August 1940 after combat over Dorchester. W.H.Coverley baled out of his Spitfire after he was shot down over Biggin Hill on the 7th of September 1940 but later died of his wounds.
Deere, Alan Click the name above to see a profile of Deere, Alan    Died : 21 / 9 / 1995	Deere, Alan Top scoring New Zealand Ace with 22 victories, Deere was born in Auckland on December 12th 1917. Alan Deere would become one of the RAF's finest pilots. Joining the RAF in 1937, in September 1938 Al Deere was posted to No.54 Sqn at the time flying Gloster Gladiators, then in early 1940 the Squadron converted to Spitfires. His first brush with death happened when his oxygen failed while at altitude and ke blacked out, coming to only in time to pull his aircraft out of a dive and certain death. At the beginning of May 1940 Deere took part in the intensive air war over Dunkirk and on 23rd May 1940 Deere took part in a daring rescue operation. He and Pilot Officer Allen escorted their flight commander, James Leathart, to France where he was to land a Miles Master trainer and pick up the CO of 74 Squadron who had made a forced landing on the airfield at Calais-Marck. While the pick up was made, Alan Deere was at low level with Pilot Officer Allen at 8000 feet. As Flight Commander James Leathart prepared for take off in the Master, Pilot Offcier Allen spotted a flight o Bf109's coming their way. Deere scored his first victory, as a strafing Bf109 pulled out of its dive, presenting a perfect target. Deere fired a short burst and the aircraft stalled and then crashed into the sea. Deere, climbing to help Allen, crossed the path of two 109’s, one of which turned towards him. Deere also turned, firing at the second one, which rolled over and dived away. Pursuing the first one, he caught up at treetop height and pursued him, firing off his remaining ammunition before the German headed for home. During the whole event Deere and Allen accoutned for three Bf109's shot down and three damaged. All three aircraft returned to their base at RAF Hornchurch. During four days - 23rd to 29th May - Deere shot down three Bf109’s and three Bf110’s but his luck ran out and he was shot down over Dunkirk while attacking a Dornier Do17 and luckily managed a forced landing in Belgium where he optained a bicycle and cycled to Dunkirk where he managed to get on a destroyer and returned to Hornchurch within 30 hours of taking off. In June he was decorated with the DFC by the King at a special ceremony at Hornchurch. Alan Deere destroyed seven more enemy fighters and one bomber during the Battle of Britian and was awarded a Bar to the DFC. In January 1941 became an Operations Room Controller. He returned to operations on 7th May 1941, joining 602 Squadron in Scotland as a Flight Commander. On August 1st 1941 Alan Deere took command of 602 Squadron and on that day destroyed a Bf109. When his second operational tour ended in January 1942 Deere went to the USA to lecture on fighter tactics. In May 1942, he took command of 403 Squadron, commanding the squadron until August before being posted to staff duties. During a temporary attachment to 611 Squadron in February 1943 Deere destroyed an Fw190. Some days later he was appointed Wing Leader at Biggin Hill. He flew 121 sorties during his six months leadership and by this time his tally was twenty-two confirmed victories, ten probables and eighteen damaged. He was also awarded the DSO and a bar to his DFC. Alan Deere was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and the DFC (USA) and in May 1945 He was awarded an OBE. In December 1977 Air Commodore Deere retired form the Royal Air Force. Iin 1959 Air Commodore Alan Deere wrote of his experiences in his book, ’Nine Lives’. Sadly, he passed away on 21st September 1995.
Eade, A. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Eade, A. W.	Eade, A. W.
Edy, A. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Edy, A. L.    Died : 12 / 12 / 1941	Edy, A. L. Killed December 12th 1941
Elcome, D. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Elcome, D. W.    Died : 26 / 10 / 1940	Elcome, D. W. Sergeant Douglas William Elcome of No 602 Squadron was reported missing after he failed to return from a routine patrol in his Spitfire I (R6839) on the 26th of October 1940. His body was never recovered. Earlier that summer Douglas was flying a Spitfire I which crash-landed. He was knocked unconscious and hospitalised for a short while. He insisted on going back to flying and was accepted. However, on returning from patrol on the 26th of October 1940 he appeared to black out or go unconscious and his plane crashed into the sea off Selsey Bill. It was conjectured that this might have occurred because of his earlier crash.
Ferguson, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Ferguson, P. J.	Ferguson, P. J.
Fisher, G. Click the name above to see a profile of Fisher, G.	Fisher, G.
Fox, F J Click the name above to see a profile of Fox, F J	Fox, F J On 10th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX NH203 of No.602 Sqn was hit by American gunfire and crash landed in Normandy. He was unhurt, but the aircraft was written off.
Freeborn, John Click the name above to see a profile of Freeborn, John    Died : 28 / 8 / 2010	Freeborn, John Johnie Freeborn flew Spitfires with 74 Squadron over Dunkirk, and was in action throughout the Battle of Britain, he had been with his squadron longer, and flown more hours, than any other Battle of Britain pilot. He joined 602 Squadron in 1942, and commanded 118 Squadron in June 1943. In June 1944 he was promoted Wing Commander Flying of 286 Wing in Italy. John Freeborn scored 17 victories. Sadly, we have learned that John Freeborn passed away on 28th August 2010. John Freeborn signing the print In Them We Trust by Ivan Berryman, assisted by Cranston Fine Arts owner David Higgins. John Freeborn signs the print Close Encounter at a signing session in February 2010. Cranston Fine Arts would like to extend our many thanks to Wing Commander John Freeborn for spending a day (28/2/2010) with us signing a number of our art prints.
Frith, Maurice William Click the name above to see a profile of Frith, Maurice William    Died : 10 / 5 / 1944	Frith, Maurice William Killed aged 23 on 10th May 1944 when his Spitfire Mk.IX MJ303 of No.602 Sqn was shot down by Fw190s of JG26 near Neufchatel. He is buried in Marissel French National Cemetery. Son of William H. Frith and Elsie L. Frith of Erdington, Birmingham.
Gage , D. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Gage , D. H.    Died : 6 / 6 / 1941	Gage , D. H. Killed June 6th 1941**
Gillies, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Gillies, J.    Died : 21 / 4 / 1944	Gillies, J. & 421 Flight. Killed April 21st 1944**
Hanbury, Osgood Villiers Click the name above to see a profile of Hanbury, Osgood Villiers    Died : 3 / 6 / 1943	Hanbury, Osgood Villiers Missing in transit to North Africa June 3rd 1943**
Hart, J. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Hart, J. S.	Hart, J. S.
Hopkin, W. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Hopkin, W. P.	Hopkin, W. P. Pilot Officer W.P.(John Willie) Hopkin in July 1940 joined No 54 Squadron. Hopkin claimed three kills with this squadron before later being posted away to No 602 Squadron in September 1940, adding three more kills during the Battle. Hopkin was awarded the D.F.C. on the 9th of September 1941. After the war, he spent a period as Honourary Secretary of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association.
Humpherson, J. B. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Humpherson, J. B. W.    Died : 22 / 6 / 1941	Humpherson, J. B. W. Killed June 22nd 1941
Jack, Donald M Click the name above to see a profile of Jack, Donald M    Died : 22 / 9 / 2005	Jack, Donald M Battle of Britain pilot, 602 Squadron. A 602 Squadron Battle of Britain pilot, he joined the RAuxAF in 1936 and was called up in September 1939. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain getting in early with a damaged Ju88 on the 9th July and destroying a Bf110 and a Bf109 during August. During 1941 he commanded No 123 Squadron, then when 123 Squadron merged with 80 Squadron in 1942 he took command flying in the Middle East and Western Desert. Then followed a number of staff positions until he was released from the RAF in September 1945. Naturally Donald’s Spitfire bore the Donald Duck motif. Donald Jack passed away 22nd September 2005.
Jenkins, C H Click the name above to see a profile of Jenkins, C H	Jenkins, C H Rescued from the sea after his Spitfire Mk.IX MH722 ditched after running out of fuel. He had encountered Fw190s while escorting bombers.
Johnstone, Sandy Click the name above to see a profile of Johnstone, Sandy    Died : 13 / 12 / 2000	Johnstone, Sandy Early in 1938, Johnstone was a civilian navigation instructor at Scottish Aviation, moving later to the Civil Air Navigation School at Prestwick. In August 1939 he was called to full-time service with 602 Squadron. After some Spitfire engagements off the Scottish coast, he received command of 602 - he was still only 24 - and led it south to the tiny airfield at West Hampnett, in West Sussex, where it was stationed throughout the Battle of Britain. Sandy was in command of no. 602 squadron during the critical days of the Battle of Britain, flying with the squadron before the war though to 1941, when he was posted to the Middle east, he also served with 229 and 249 squadrons in Malta during the Islands most fateful days of the war. Sandy became a successful author and resided near Ipswich in Suffolk. Sandy Johnstone died 13th December 2000, aged 84. Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross : Acting Squadron Leader Alexander Vallance Riddell JOHNSTONE (90163), Auxiliary Air Force. This officer has proved himself to be a leader of ability and determination and has been mainly responsible for the high standard of morale in his squadron. He has destroyed four enemy aircraft of which one was shot down at night. (London Gazette – 1 October 1940) Sandy Johnstone discusses a painting with artist Anthony Saunders.
Jones, W. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Jones, W. R.	Jones, W. R. Pilot Officer W.R.Jones flew with No 266 Squadron and No 602 Squadron. In 1944 and 1945 he carried out many "special flights" to southern France, Belgium, Holland and Germany carrying "important passengers". Jones was awarded the A.F.C. on the 1st of January 1946.
Kidd, L. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Kidd, L. D.	Kidd, L. D. Pilot Officer L.D.Kidd of No.602 Squadron was flying in Spitfire Mk.IX (MJ339) on 6th June 1944, he crash landed on a Normandy beach. He was uninjured and the aircraft was later salvaged.
Lacey, James Click the name above to see a profile of Lacey, James    Died : 30 / 5 / 1989	Lacey, James James Harry Lacey, from Wetherby, who was destined to become the top scoring RAF fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain, joined the RAFVR. in 1937. After an instructors course in 1938 he became an instructor at the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club. Called up at the outbreak of war, he was posted to 501 Squadron, and in May 1940 was posted with the unit to France. On the 13th he set off late on an early patrol, and shot down a Bf 109 and a He 111. Later in the day he destroyed a Bf 110. On the 27th he destroyed two He 11 Is and then returned to the United Kingdom, in June, having made an emergency landing in a swamp on the 9th and overturned, nearly being drowned. On 20 July he shot down a 13f 109, and was then awarded a DFM. In the Battle of Britain, during August, he destroyed a Ju 87 and a probable on the 12th, damaged a Do 17 on the 15th, probably destroyed a Bf 109 on the 16th, and on the 24th shot down a Ju 88 and damaged a Do 17. On the 29th he destroyed a 13f 109 and next day claimed a He 111 and probablya Bf110. He shot down a Bf109 on the 31st and on 2 September got two Bf 109s and damaged a Do 17. Two days later he destroyed two more Bf 109s, and was then sent on leave for a few days. on his return, on the 13th, he took off in very bad weather to shoot down a lone He 111 which had just bombed Buckingham Palace. Having destroyed it, he found the cloud too thick to return to base and was forced to bale out. On the 15th he shot down another He 111 and two Bf 109s with a third damaged, on the 27th destroyed another Bf 109 and on the 30th damaged a Ju 88. During October he was in action frequently against Bf 109s, getting a probable on the 7th and destroying others on the 12th, 26th, and the 30th, damaging one also on this latter date. His score was now 23, and he had been shot down or forced to bale out nine times. Of his victories 18 were gained during the Battle of Britain, and this was the highest score of any pilot for this period. In December he received a Bar to his DFM and was commissioned the following month. He converted to Spitfires early in 1941, and in June became a flight commander. During July he destroyed a Bf 109 on the 10th, damaged one on the 14th, shot down a He 59 floatplane on the 17th and destroyed two more Bf 109s on the 24th, causing them to collide. He was then posted as an instructor to 57 OTU where he trained, among others, George Beurling. In March 1942 he was posted to 602 Squadron, and on 24th March damaged a Fw 190. On 25 April he damaged two more, but was then posted to HQ 81 Group as Tactics Officer, now as a Sqn. Ldr. He spent some while testing Hurricanes with rocket projectiles and 40 mm. anti-tank guns, and then became Chief Flying Instructor at Millfield. In March 1943 he was sent to India, and first was responsible for converting squadrons to Hurricanes at Madras. He then moved to Bangalore, where he converted Hurricane pilots to Thunderbolts. In September 1944 he was posted to 3 TAC at Komila as Sqn. Ldr. Tactics, and the following month attended an Air Fighting Instructors Course at Armarda Road, which was run by Wg. Cdr. F.R. Carey. In November he became temporary commanding officer of 155 Squadron, flying Spitfire 8s in Burma, but later that month took command of 17 Squadron, equipped with the same aircraft. His squadron was responsible for giving ground support to a Gurkha regiment, so he ordered his pilots to have their heads shaved in the Gurkha fashion, which proved to be a very popular move. On 19 February 1945 he shot down a Nakajima Ki 43 Oscar, his twenty-eighth and last victory. He died on 30th May 1989.
Land, Harold Click the name above to see a profile of Land, Harold    Died : 7 / 3 / 1931	Land, Harold Killed flying Avro 504N H2975 of 602 Sqn,based in Renfrew Scotland in Collision with Wapiti J9603, near Port Glasgow he was 24
Lyall, A. Click the name above to see a profile of Lyall, A.    Died : 8 / 11 / 1940	Lyall, A. Killed November 8th 1940
MacLean, Hector Click the name above to see a profile of MacLean, Hector    Died : 19 / 7 / 2007	MacLean, Hector Hector was flying with No 602 squadron before war broke out. A gallant young man, his fighter pilot days were drawn to an abrupt halt on August 26th 1940 when his leg was severely injured during battle, but the war was by no means over. After his recovery he was posted to Rosemount for duty as a fighter controller, in the rank of Squadron Leader. Hector retired and lived in Kilmacolm near Glasgow. He died on 19th July 2007.
McDowall, Andrew Click the name above to see a profile of McDowall, Andrew	McDowall, Andrew
McKellar, Archie Click the name above to see a profile of McKellar, Archie    Died : 2 / 11 / 1940	McKellar, Archie Born 10th April 1912. Joined No.602 Sqn City of Glasgow flying Spitfires and Hurricanes. Has at least part claim to the first British air victory of the war, and is credited with shooting down the first aircraft to fall on British soil since 1918. In all, he scored 21 victories before being killed when his Hurricane plunged into a field in Kent. He was awarded the DSO and DFC with Bar, the citations for which follow : Citation for the DFC This officer has at all times displayed the keenest desire to engage the enemy. In his first large-scale encounter against enemy aircraft he displayed a great sense of leadership and tactics in launching his flight against ninety Heinkel m's. As a result, at least four enemy aircraft were destroyed, of which Flight Lieutenant McKellar destroyed three. He has displayed outstanding leadership and courage. Citation for the Bar to the DFC During a period of eight days in the defence of London, Flight Lieutenant McKellar has destroyed eight hostile aircraft, bringing his total to twelve. He displays an excellent fighting spirit, is a particularly brilliant tactician and has led his squadron with skill and resource. Citation for the DSO This officer has led his squadron with outstanding courage and determination. He has destroyed 20 enemy aircraft, and his magnificent fighting spirit has proved an excellent inspiration to his fellow pilots.
Moody, H. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Moody, H. W.    Died : 7 / 9 / 1940	Moody, H. W. Missing September 7th 1940**
Mount, Mickey Click the name above to see a profile of Mount, Mickey    Died : 4 / 8 / 2002	Mount, Mickey Flying Officer C.J Mount joined NO.602 squadron on August 8th 1940 after a brief conversion course on Spitfires. On August 18th his Spitfire L1005 was severely damaged in combat with JU 87s and BF109s over Ford. Micky was unhurt. he again escaped injury when his Spitfire X4270 was damaged landing at Tangmere. he served in many of the theatres of WW2 and he flew Hurricanes in Malta and North Africa and Wellingtons in the Middle east. Micky retired and lived in Ascot in Berkshire. He died 4th August 2002.
Niven, Hugh Click the name above to see a profile of Niven, Hugh    Died : 8 / 4 / 2008	Niven, Hugh Canadian who flew with No.602 Sqn during the Battle of Britain. Died 8th April 2008.
Parkinson, Colin Click the name above to see a profile of Parkinson, Colin    Died : 31 / 3 / 2006	Parkinson, Colin Australian Colin Parkinson joined the RAAF in 1940, arriving in England to join 19 Squadron flyin Spitfires. In March 1942 he shot down a Do217. In May he was posted to Malta, flying his Spitfire off HMS Eagle on 9th June, with 602 Squadron. After scoring several victories he flew to Gibraltar to lead in further Spitfires, taking off from HMS Furious to the island on 17th August. Commissioned, he now flew with 229 Squadron. On 9th October with Winco Donaldson and Screwball Beurling, he performed a low level beat up and acrobatics over the presentation of the George Cross to the people of Malta. He ended his tour of Malta in November 1942 with the DFC and 10.5 victories, plus probably 2 more. Colin Parkinson passed away aged 89 on 31st March 2006.
Payne, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Payne, R. A.	Payne, R. A.
Penny, Michael Click the name above to see a profile of Penny, Michael	Penny, Michael His war service began in October 1940 at I.TW. Newquay. On completion of his training he was posted to No. 24 E. F.T.S. Luton. After 11 hours dual flying he first flew solo in a Miles Magister. After forty hours instruction he was posted to No. 9 S.F.T.S. Hullavington for advanced flying on Miles Masters and Hurricanes. On completing this course he was presented with his "Wings", having now flown 62 hours. His next posting was to No. 60 O.T.U. at East Fortune where he converted to B & P Defiants. "The Defiant was a very unpleasant aircraft to fly, very heavy and I did not like the idea of becoming a night fighter in this aircraft" said Michael. He was then posted to No. 153 Squadron in Northern Ireland; after only a few days the Squadron was disbanded and he was given a chance to convert to Beaufighters or stay on 'singles'. Michael requested training for Spitfires but was informed that there were no vacancies at that moment in time. He then asked if he could fly Lysanders being used to tow drogues. His request was granted and he flew Lysanders until January 1943 when his posting came through to 58 O.T.U. Grangemouth. He completed 50 hours on Spitfires and was posted to 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron 124 Airfield, Lasham. Michael recalls, "Although we were operational, we were now in 2 nd T. A. F. and most of our flying was done in cooperation with the Army and Tank Cor. This involved continual very low flying and demanded very strict air flying discipline - this held me in good stead as time went on". In May 1943 the Squadron moved to 121 Airfield Fairlop where he flew his first operation over occupied Europe on a fighter sweep over Rouen, followed by an escort op. with Ventura bombers to Zeebruger; this was his first experience of enemy antiaircraft fire. Various escort and fighter sweeps followed. There followed a series of moves to various airfields in Sussex and Kent. In early 1944 the Squadron, then stationed at Ford, had bombs fitted to our aircraft for dropping on V1 launch sites. "We began our dive at about 10,000 feet and released our bomb at 5000 feet - a most unpleasant experience. This brought us into range from all kinds of anti-aircraft fire, but fortunately we suffered very few direct hits," Michael recalls. After completing over 120 operations Michael was posted "tour expired" by the Air Comm. and went on to become a Spitfire flying instructor. He was demobilised in November 1945.
Philips, George Christopher Click the name above to see a profile of Philips, George Christopher    Died : 7 / 3 / 1931	Philips, George Christopher killed when his Wapiti IIA J9603,of 602 Sqn, based at Renfrew was in a Collision with Avro 504N H2975, near Port Glasgow AC2 Edward E Smith baled out
Phillips, R. F. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Phillips, R. F. P.	Phillips, R. F. P.
Proctor, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Proctor, J.    Died : 18 / 4 / 1941	Proctor, J. Killed April 18th 1941
Ritchie, T. G. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Ritchie, T. G. F.    Died : 21 / 7 / 1941	Ritchie, T. G. F. Killed July 21st 1941
Rose, Stuart Nigel Click the name above to see a profile of Rose, Stuart Nigel    Died : 10 / 9 / 2017	Rose, Stuart Nigel Originally from Elswick in the north east of England, Rose moved south to join the RAFVR in March 1939, called up at the outbreak of war he was commissioned in June 1940 joining No.602 Sqn in June 1940 flying Spitfires and serving with the unit throughout the Battle of Britain, claiming three victories. Squadron Leader Nigel Rose was then posted to 54 Sqn at Hornchurch in September 1941 before becoming an instructor in 1942, and also serving in the Middle East. Afterwards he moved to No.54 Sqn before taking on positions in training units.
Smith, W. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, W. B.	Smith, W. B.
Sprague, M. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Sprague, M. H.    Died : 11 / 9 / 1940	Sprague, M. H. Killed September 11th 1940
Sutherland, R A Click the name above to see a profile of Sutherland, R A	Sutherland, R A On 18th June 1944, his Spitfire Mk.IX MH709 LO-R force land on a beach head at Normandy. He was ok and the aircraft was recovered.
Urie, J. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Urie, J. D.	Urie, J. D. Flight Lieutenant J.Dulop Urie flew with No 602 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. On the 18th of August 1940 he was flying a brand new Spitfire (X4110) which was damaged beyond repair in combat. He landed the aircraft at Westhampnett, and suffered wounds to the legs.
Webb, Paul Click the name above to see a profile of Webb, Paul    Died : 10 / 7 / 2007	Webb, Paul Joining 602 Squadron Aux AF L in Scotland in late 1937, Paul Webb was called up full time in August 1939. After initial skirmishes off the Scottish East Coast, 602 came south to Tangmere / Westhampnett. During the Battle of Britain he claimed a Bf110 destroyed on August 16th, on the 25th two more, on the 26th a He59, on September 7th a Bf10 and on the 9th a Do17. In 1941 he was the first Commanding Officer of 416 Squadron RCAF, which he led until 1942 when posted to the Middle East and then Malta. He served later in Italy and with the Balkan Air Force in Yugoslavia. He finished the war with 3 victories and 3 shared. He died 10th July 2007.
Whall, B. E. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Whall, B. E. P.    Died : 7 / 10 / 1940	Whall, B. E. P. Killed October 7th 1940
Whipps, G. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Whipps, G. A.    Died : 26 / 8 / 1941	Whipps, G. A. Shot down by Me109 in Spitfire N3227 over Hailsham on 6th September 1940, but managed to bail out. Killed August 26th 1941.