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No.72 Sqn RAF

Name : No.72 Sqn RAF Founded : 28th June 1917 Disbanded : 12th November 1981 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 12th November 1981 More Details : Basutoland Swift Known Code Letters : , RN, SD,

Known Service Details :
Pilot or Aircrew	Rank	Start of Service	End of Service	Known Dates	Aircraft	Airframes	Notes
Charles Ian Rose Arthur		unknown	unknown
H. J. Bell-Walker	Sergeant	unknown	12th August 1941	14th September 1940	Spitfire	R6704
Thomas Ingham Boddy	Flight Sargeant	unknown	unknown	22nd December 1942	Stirling	R9262	n the night of 21-22 Dec 1942 Stirling I R9262 MG-A with aboard Thomas Boddy took off 1709 from Oakington. En route for a bombing mission on Munich the aircraft was shot down by an Me 110 and crashed at Seraincourt (Ardennes), 16 kn NW of Rethel, France. Three members of of the crew were killed in the crash; four managed to evade capture including Boddy and Lewis. Those who died are buried in Seraincourt Churchyard.
Bernard Walter Brown		unknown	unknown		Spitfire
H. R. Case	Pilot Officer	unknown	12th October 1940		Spitfire	P9338
Lionel Harwood Buck Casson	Pilot Officer	unknown	12th October 1940		Spitfire	P9338
A. R. Collins	Squadron Leader	unknown	unknown	02nd September 1940	Spitfire
William James Corbin		unknown	unknown		Spitfire
I. H. Cosby		unknown	unknown		Spitfire
Alfred Alexander Devany	Pilot Officer	unknown	7th February 1938		Gladiator	K7934	Plt Off Alfred Alexander Devany (23) was killed while flying Gladiator I K7934, of 72 Sqn, at Church Fenton Hit high-tension wires in fog, Riplingham, near Brough, Yorks Aircraft destroyed by fire Killed in Action
B. Douthwaite	Pilot Officer	unknown	11th September 1940		Spitfire	R6710
R. D. Elliott	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	06th September 1940	Spitfire
Thomas Arthur Francis Elsdon	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	07th September 1940	Spitfire	X4254
E. Graham	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	02nd September 1940	Spitfire
D. F. Holland	Pilot Officer	unknown	20th September 1940		Spitfire	X4410	Killed in Action
Brian Fabris Kingcome		unknown	unknown
M. A. W. Lee	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	15th October 1940	Spitfire	P7444
Ronald B. Lees DFC		unknown	unknown	02nd September 1940	Spitfire	K9840
J. P. Lloyd		unknown	unknown
N. R. Norfolk	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	02nd September 1940	Spitfire	K9938
J. J. O'meara	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown		Spitfire
O. St. J. Pigg	Flight Officer	unknown	1st September 1940		Spitfire	P9458	Killed in Action
R. E. Plant		unknown	unknown
M. H. Pocock	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	01st September 1940	Spitfire	L1056
P. D. Pool	Pilot Officer	unknown	unknown	11th October 1940	Spitfire	K9870
J. R. Ritchie		unknown	unknown
Desmond Sheen	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	01st September 1940 05th September 1940	Spitfire	X4034 X4109
F. M. Smith	Flight Lieutenant	unknown	unknown	31st August 1940	Spitfire	P9438	Killed in Action
Robert Charles John Staples	Sergeant	unknown	unknown	06th August 1940	Spitfire	L1078
N. Sutton	P/O	unknown	5th October 1940		Spitfire	K9989	Killed October 5th 1940 when involved in a mid-air collision with F/O Robert Charles John Staples and P/O N Sutton in Spitfire K9989, was killed. Killed in Action
R. A. Thomson	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	01st September 1940	Spitfire
R. A. Thomson	Flight Officer	unknown	unknown	01st September 1940	Spitfire
John Villa		unknown	unknown
E. J. Wilcox	Flight Officer	unknown	31st August 1940		Spitfire	P9457	Killed in Action
D. C. Winter	Pilot Officer	unknown	5th September 1940		Spitfire	X4013	Killed in Action

Pilots and Aircrew for : No.72 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
Arthur, Charles Ian Rose Click the name above to see a profile of Arthur, Charles Ian Rose    Died : 13 / 10 / 1998	Arthur, Charles Ian Rose Born 4 June 1918 in Fort Garry, Manitoba; educated at Kelvin High School, Winnipeg. joined 141 Squadron. From Fort Garry, Manitoba. 01 Jun 1943 as a F/Lt he took command of 232 Squadron in Tunisia until 25 Dec and then commanded 72 Squadron at Lagos, Italy. He destroyed a Me 109 on 07 May and was awarded the DFC 9/6/44. He took the squadron to Sisteron, France to cover the landings and returned to Italy on 02 Oct. He was promoted to acting W/Com and awarded a bar to his DFC. He left the RAF as a W/Com on 03 Nov, 1954 and returned to Canada Appointed Acting Pilot Officer on Probation in the RAF, 29 October 1938. Reported to No.141 Squadron, 10 October 1939; posted to No.242 Squadron, 3 December 1940; posted to No.145 Squadron, 23 May 1941; posted to Central Flying School, Upavon, 18 October 1941. Instructor, No.5 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, Ternhill, December 1941; instructor, No.7 (P) Advanced Flying Unit, Peterborogh; to No.411 Squadron, November 1942; to No.122 Squadron, January 1943; to No.81 Squadron (North Africa), March 1943; to No.242 Squadron (Flight Commander), March 1943; to No.232 Squadron (to command), 1 June 1943; remained until December 1943; posted to Aleppo, December 1943; to No.72 Squadron (to command), April 1944; to No.5 Refresher Flying Unit, Perugia (as Wing Commander), November 1944; to No.239 Wing (Mustangs) as Wing Leader, July 1945. Returned to UK, 1946, reverting to Squadron Leader. No.19 Squadron (in command), April 1946 to August 1948. Retired from RAF, November 1954 and settled in Canada. Air Ministry Bulletin 14231/AL.829 refers. See Michel Lavigne, Canadian Wing Commanders. Known victories as follows: 25 June 1941, one Bf.109 destroyed, Le Touquet (Circus 23); 30 June 1941, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with F/O St.Pierre, RAF), Le Touquet area, Circus; 29 June 1943, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with another pilot), Comiso; 17 July 1943, one Bf.109 damaged, Sicily; 12 August 1943, one MC.202 damaged, northwest of Milazzo; 7 May 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed, Lake Bracciano area; 16 May 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed (shared with another pilot), Lake Bracciano area; 14 October 1944, one Me.410 destroyed (shared with five other pilots), Bergamo area.
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.
Bird, Jeffrey Click the name above to see a profile of Bird, Jeffrey	Bird, Jeffrey Completing his pilot training in South Africa in 1942, "Dickie" was posted to 72 Sqn in the Middle East. He flew many operations from Tunisia, Malta, Sicily and finished the war on the Italian mainland.
Boddy, Thomas Ingham Click the name above to see a profile of Boddy, Thomas Ingham    Died : 4 / 6 / 1955	Boddy, Thomas Ingham 3 October, 1943: Pilot Officer on Probation 3 April, 1944 : Flying Officer 3 October, 1945: Flight Lieutenant 9 March, 1949: commission relinquished On the night of 21-22 Dec 1942 Stirling I R9262 MG-A with aboard Thomas Boddy took off 1709 from Oakington. En route for a bombing mission on Munich the aircraft was shot down by an Me 110 and crashed at Seraincourt (Ardennes), 16 kn NW of Rethel, France. Three members of of the crew were killed in the crash; four managed to evade capture including Boddy and Lewis. Those who died are buried in Seraincourt Churchyard. Thomas Boddy was killed in a Sunderland Flying Boat accident in 1955 at Eastborne
Brown, B. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, B. W.	Brown, B. W.
Brown, Bernard Walter Click the name above to see a profile of Brown, Bernard Walter    Died : 23 / 1 / 2017	Brown, Bernard Walter Flight Lieutenant Bernard Walter Brown was accepted for a short service commission in 1938, and after being accepted arrived in England in September, training at 5 E&RFTS, Hanworth and in late January 1939 he was posted to 5FTS, Sealand. He then went to No 1 School of Army Co-Operation at Old Sarum for a course on Lysanders in August 1939, and soon after joined 613 Squadron. Bernard Walker Brown was flying one of six Hectors detailed to dive-bomb gun emplacements near Calais. On the way to the target, he test-fired his forward gun but a fault caused the muzzle attachment to fly off, penetrate the fuselage and hole the main fuel tank. He jettisoned his bombs and turned back and make a forced-landing. In August 1940 he volunteered for Fighter Command, converting to Spitfires. He joined 610 Squadron at Biggin Hill. In late September he went to 72 Squadron, but on the 23rd was shot down by a Bf 109. He bailed out of the aircraft, badly wounded. Returning to active duty in November 1940, he was posted to 8FTS, Montrose for an instructor's course, after which he went to Rhodesia, subsequently instructing at Cumalo. In 1943, he trained with Transport Command, becoming a ferry pilot. He flew between the United Kingdom and the Middle East. He transferred to the RNZAF in January 1944 and by the end of the year was flying Halifaxes. He was released in 1945 to fly Dakotas with BOAC and later joined BEA, flying with the airline until his retirement in 1972.
Carpenter, John Chips Click the name above to see a profile of Carpenter, John Chips    Died : 11 / 2 / 2005	Carpenter, John Chips Flt. Lt. John Chips Carpenter DFC was born on 9 April 1921. He began elementary flying instruction at Redhill and later on Harvards at Turnhill with the RAF in February 1939 and on completion of his training he joined 263 Squadron at Filton in November. On 21 April 1940 the squadron embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ for Norway, flying off three days later to land on a frozen lake. By the 26th all the Gladiators were either destroyed or unserviceable, so 263 Squadron re-embarked for the UK. In May another attempt was made. From the 21st until it re-embarked on HMS ‘Glorious’ on 6 June the squadron gave a good account of itself, covering the evacuation of the Army and flying offensive patrols. The carrier was sunk by enemy action soon after sailing and nearly all 263’s pilots were lost. Carpenter had not flown on to the carrier and returned to the UK by another ship. He joined 222 Squadron on Spitfires at Hornchurch in late June 1940 in time for the evacuation of Dunkirk. On 31 August he claimed a probable Bf109, on 1 September he destroyed another Bf109, on the 3rd a Bf110 and on the 4th a further Bf109. Soon afterwards he was shot down and wounded and returned to the squadron in October. Carpenter stayed with 222 Sqn. until April 1941, when he was posted to 46 Squadron, just as it prepared to go to the Middle East. The squadron embarked on HMS ‘Argus’, before transferring to the ‘Ark Royal’, from which they flew off to Hal Far, Malta on 6 June. 46 Squadron was kept in Malta and re-numbered 126 Squadron. On 30 June Carpenter shot down a Mc200, on 4 September he claimed another, on 8 November a Mc202, on the 12th another Mc202 and on 27 December he shot a Ju88 down into the sea. Carpenter, who had been a Flight Commander since early October, was awarded the DFC (2.1.42) and posted to 92 Squadron in the Western Desert. In May 1942 he covered the invasion of Sicily and Italy and was given command of 72 Squadron at Anzio. After a rest Carpenter was given command of 72 Squadron at Lago, Italy in January 1944. On 11 April he was posted away, received a Bar to the DFC (7.7.44) and returned to the UK. He went to Hawker’s as a production test pilot. Carpenter was granted a Permanent Commission in September 1945 and he retired on 31 December 1959, as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. Post war he served as CO in Kai Tek, Hong Kong. He died 11th February 2005.
Case, H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Case, H. R.    Died : 12 / 10 / 1940	Case, H. R. Pilot Officer H.R.Case of No 72 Squadron was killed after he crashed near Folkestone in his Spitfire I (P9338) on the 12th of October 1940. The cause of the crash was unknown.
Collins, A. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Collins, A. R.	Collins, A. R. Squadron Leader A.R.Collins of No 72 Spitfire Squadron was wounded on the 2nd of September 1940 following combat in a Spitfire I over the Thames Estuary.
Corbin, William James Click the name above to see a profile of Corbin, William James    Died : 8 / 12 / 2012	Corbin, William James Already a member of the RAFVR, William Corbin was called up for active duty in September 1939. Following training and conversion to Spitfires, in September 1940 he was posted as a Sergeant Pilot to join 66 Squadron at Coltishall. With the exception of a few weeks spent with 610 Squadron he remained with 66 Squadron until September 1941. Commissioned in June 1942, he returned to combat flying in September, joining 72 Squadron with whom he went to North Africa. Here he shared in a probable Me109 and damaged another, and in August 1943 was awarded the DFC. Corbin arrived on No 66 Squadron as it moved south to Surrey in late August 1940, as the Battle was reaching its climax. Because he had so little experience, he was dispatched by his CO to the north of England for a few weeks’ extra training before returning to No 66, which had moved to Gravesend. During the final month of the Battle, Corbin was in action over his native Kent. As the Battle of Britain was drawing to a close, Corbin’s CO, Squadron Leader Athol Forbes, decided that 10 of his pilots should record their impressions of the great air battle while memories were fresh. He chose a cross-section of officers and sergeants from different backgrounds and with different experiences – Corbin was one of them. In between flying on operations, the 10 scribbled down their thoughts. Corbin contributed the third chapter of their classic book Ten Fighter Boys, which was published by Collins in 1942 – and by which time five had perished. The book was reissued in 2008. In 2007 Corbin decided to complete his story, publishing his own book, Last of the Ten Fighter Boys. In the New Year of 1941, Fighter Command went on the offensive, carrying out sweeps over northern France. Corbin’s Spitfire was hit by anti-aircraft fire and damaged over Calais, but he managed to return safely to base. During a strafing attack against an airfield on the Brest Peninsula, Corbin and his leader damaged a number of aircraft on the ground. In June 1941 he attacked a Heinkel bomber which was returning from an attack on Liverpool and probably destroyed it; a month later he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 while escorting a force of Blenheim bombers over the Dutch coast. After a year of almost continuous operations, he was rested and became an instructor at a fighter training unit. William James Corbin was born at Maidstone on August 5 1917 and educated in the town at St Michael’s School. He trained as a teacher, and in April 1939 joined the RAFVR . He was called up on the outbreak of war . ADVERTISING After his spell as an instructor, Corbin was commissioned and joined a Spitfire squadron sent to North Africa in support of Operation Torch, the Allied landings in Algeria and Morocco in November 1942. He saw a great deal of action with No 72 Squadron as the Allied armies moved eastwards towards Tunis, shooting down a Bf 109 (with another probable) and damaging at least three more fighters. He was also engaged on many sweeps shooting up motor transports and aircraft on the ground. During these operations, the Spitfires faced intense enemy ground fire, and Corbin recorded in his diary that he felt “a little shaky at timesâ€�. As the Allies closed on Tunis, he attacked a motor torpedo boat – which exploded from the concentrated fire from his cannons; he also damaged two others. A few days later the war in North Africa was over and, after 450 hours’ operational flying, Corbin was rested and returned to Britain to be a gunnery instructor. He was awarded a DFC. At the end of the war, Corbin left the RAF and returned to Maidstone, where he took up a teaching post. He joined the RAF Reserve and enjoyed flying Tiger Moths and Chipmunks at weekends until the Force was disbanded in 1955. He received the Air Efficiency Award. After 10 years teaching at Collier Road School, Corbin joined the staff of Maidstone Technical School, retiring as a senior master in 1980
Cosby, I. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Cosby, I. H.	Cosby, I. H. Flight Lieutenant Ivor Henry Cosby was with No 72 Squadron and No 610 Squadron flying Spitfire's during the Battle of Britain.
Cox, David Click the name above to see a profile of Cox, David    Died : 20 / 1 / 2004	Cox, David Ending the war with seven confirmed victories and as Wing Leader of 909 Spitfire Wing in Burma, Cox remembers an acerbic encounter with Bader as a young Sergeant Pilot. Bader made it very clear that the battle damage to his Spitfire was not excused by his having shot down the Bf 109 that caused it! Above all, however, he remembers Baders calmness on the radio when leading the Wing - it calmed evervone else. Cox, from Cambridge, an RAFVR pilot, originally failed the RAF medical, working for some months in Billingsgate market to build up his strength. He joined 19 Squadron at Duxford in 1940. He scored several victories during the Battle of Britain, but was shot down on September 27 1940 and wounded. Cox took part in many fighter sweeps with 19 Squadron in 1941 and was commissioned in July. After a spell instructing, Cox joined 72 Squadron in May 1942, accompanying it to North Affica where lie increased his score to a total of seven confirmed victories. On April 5 1945 he was posted to Burma. David Cox died 20th January 2004.
Davis-Cooke, P. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Davis-Cooke, P. J.    Died : 27 / 9 / 1940	Davis-Cooke, P. J. Killed September 27th 1940
Davy, T. D. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Davy, T. D. H.    Died : 13 / 9 / 1942	Davy, T. D. H. Killed September 13th 1942
Day, John Click the name above to see a profile of Day, John	Day, John Air Chief Marshal Sir John Day was educated at the Kings School, Canterbury and Imperial College, University of London where he read aeronautical engineering. His first tour was on No 72 Squadron at RAF Odiham flying Wessex helicopters and then, following the CFS course, he instructed on jet Provosts at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. On promotion to Squadron Leader in 1976, he was appointed to command Oxford University Air Squadron, after which he returned to the Support Helicopter Force as a flight commander on No 18 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh. Attendance at the RAF Staff College, Bracknell in 1981 was followed by a tour as the Personal Staff Officer to the Air Member for Personnel, and in 1983 he assumed command of No 72 Squadron at RAF Aldergrove, again flying Wessex. He then spent a year at the RAF Personnel Management Centre at Barnwood where he was responsible for managing the careers of General Duties wing commanders. This was followed by a tour as Group Captain Support Helicopters/Air at Headquarters No 1 Group, RAF Upavon where he was involved in developing joint operations and the joint Forces Headquarters concept. He then commanded RAF Odiham, operating Puma and Chinook helicopters. He attended the 1990 Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies before being promoted to Air Commodore and being appointed as the Director of Air Force Plans and Programmes in the Ministry of Defence. Following promotion to Air-Vice Marshal in 1994, he was appointed as the Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, responsible for all the Royal Air Forces Strike Attack, Offensive Support, Reconnaissance & Support Helicopter forces. In May 1997, he was promoted to Air Marshal and appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments) in the Ministry of Defence where his primary responsibility was to be the United Kingdoms Director of Operations, which included overseeing the Kosovo campaign and operations over Iraq. He then served from March 2000 as the Air Member for Personnel and Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command. He took up his current appointment as Commander-in-Chief Strike Command in April 2001 on promotion to Air Chief Marshal. Air Chief Marshal Day is the President of the Royal Air Force Rugby Union, the No 72 Squadron Association and his local Branch of the Royal British Legion. He also sits on the Council of the Burma Star Association. Sir John and his wife, Jane, have 2 sons. One is a Captain in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and the other is an Accountant working in investment banking.
Deacon-Elliott, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Deacon-Elliott, R.	Deacon-Elliott, R.
Devany, Alfred Alexander Click the name above to see a profile of Devany, Alfred Alexander    Died : 7 / 2 / 1938	Devany, Alfred Alexander Commissioned Jul 1936 Joined 41 sqd 21st Feb 1937 left 21st March 1937 27th March 1937 joined 72 sqd 07-02-1938 : Plt Off Alfred Alexander Devany (23) was killed while flying Gladiator I K7934, of 72 Sqn, at Church Fenton Hit high-tension wires in fog, Riplingham, near Brough, Yorks Aircraft destroyed by fire
Douthwaite, B. Click the name above to see a profile of Douthwaite, B.	Douthwaite, B. Pilot Officer B.Douthwaite was flying with No 72 Squadron when wounded on the 11th of September 1940 after his Hurricane I (R6710) was involved in combat over Gravesend. He had to force land due to battle damage.
Elliott, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Elliott, R. D.	Elliott, R. D. Pilot Officer R.D.Elliott of No 72 Squadron baled out safely over Kent on the 4th of September 1940. His Spitfire was shot down over Hartfield, Sussex. R.D.Elliot was wounded on the 6th of September 1940 following combat over the Thames Estuary.
Elsdon, Thomas Arthur Francis Click the name above to see a profile of Elsdon, Thomas Arthur Francis    Died : 9 / 9 / 2003	Elsdon, Thomas Arthur Francis Flight Officer Thomas Arthur Francis Elsdon of No 72 Squadron was wounded on the 7th of September 1940 following combat. He crash landed his Spitfire I (X4254) near Biggin Hill. Born January 22, 1917 in Broughty Ferry Dundee, "Jimmi" Elsdon at the Academy of the RAF in 1936 and received his promotion to the rank of officer in December 1937. Posted to 72 Squadron, was was witht he squadron when war broke out and participated in the first battles of the phoney war. During the Battle of Britain, his Spitfire was shot down by a Me 110 on 7 September. Injuring his knee and foot, As a reward of 8 wins that totals at this time (including 6 obtained after August 31), he received the DFC in early October. he returned flying in mid-July 1941 and was assigned to Squadron 257. On the 24th of July, he was again wounded slightly. On August 25th, he was promoted to commander of Squadron 136 that has just been set up to go to the middle east. While on route to its new destination, the Japanese attacked on Pearl Harbour . The Squadron was ordered to Burma where he arrived in January 1942. The squadrons Hurricane were the first in combat in this sector. After the retreat from Burma to India, he was promoted Wing Commander Wing 165 in Dum Dum, September 8, 1942 before taking command of Wing 293 in October and 169 in February 1943 and then to 185. Finally, in October 1943 he returned to Wing 165 and led the offensive at the front of Arakan in late November. In July 1944, he was assigned to District General Far East in Calcutta before returning to Britain in September 1944. He then served in the Transport Command in April 1945 and became commander of the base Boreham. He received the OBE in January 1945 and continued serving in the RAF becoming Wing Commander in 1949 before retiring as a (acting) Group Captain in October 1959
Gilders, J. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Gilders, J. S.    Died : 21 / 2 / 1941	Gilders, J. S. Killed February 21st 1941
Glew, N. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Glew, N. V.    Died : 17 / 5 / 1944	Glew, N. V. Killed May 17th 1944
Graham, E. Click the name above to see a profile of Graham, E.	Graham, E. Flight Lieutenant Edward 'Ted' Graham of No 72 Squadron escaped injury when he was shot down in his Spitfire over Lympne on September 2nd 1940.
Gray, James Click the name above to see a profile of Gray, James    Died : 25 / 11 / 2009	Gray, James James Gray was in college and taking a civilian pilot training course when the European war began. "I tried for the U.S. Army Air Corps and couldn’t pass the physical," he says. "I heard that the British were recruiting pilots for the Royal Air Force. I wanted to fly a fast fighter." Like many prospective Eagle Squadron pilots, Gray went to a special school in the United States and learned flying from former U.S. Army Air Corps pilots before shipping off to England. James Gray joined the RAF as an American volunteer in September 1941, and was posted to 71 Eagle Squadron flying Spitfire Vbs. Gray’s first missions in the Spitfire were mostly convoy patrols over the English Channel. By September of 1941, the faster Spitfire Mk.V had replaced No.71 Squadron’s Mk. IIs, and along with the aircraft change came Eagle missions of a little more range - sweeps across the Channel into France. These missions were dubbed Rhubarbs, Circuses and Rodeos, depending on the number of aircraft used, their tactics and varied methods of enticing the Luftwaffe to fight. Gray says he shot down his first enemy plane in the spring of 1942. The day before, some RAF bombers had been badly shot up on a major operation. Rescue boats went out looking for aircrew that might still be floating in dinghies, and Spitfires were sent to provide air cover for the operation. While on this patrol they were attacked by a number of Fw190's. Gray attacked one of the Fw190s which was pursuing Wing Leader Bob Sprague's Spitfire, Gray opened fire with his cannons and sent the Fw190 plunging into the sea. Staying in the RAF throughout the war, he flew Spitfires in North Africa and the Mediterranean, first with 93 Squadron, and later 111 Squadron. His luck eventually ran out in Italy when he was shot down early in 1945 whilst serving with 72 Squadron. Flight Lieutenant James Gray was shot down on January 4th, 1945, his 26th birthday. Gray's Squadron’s Spitfire IXs were carrying 500-pound bombs in ground attacks against German troops in northern Italy. He was taken POW for four months in Stalag-Luft I, north of Berlin. Among Flight Lieutenant James Gray's awards and decorations is the prestigious British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). After the war Flight Lieutenant James Gray became a pilot for United Airlines, started flying the DC-3, then flew the Convair 340 and, after a long successful career, retired as a Captain in DC-8 jets. He was also the historian for the Eagle Squadrons. James Gray at the age of 90 passed away on the 25th of November 2009.
Gray, M. Click the name above to see a profile of Gray, M.    Died : 25 / 9 / 1940	Gray, M. Killed September 25th 1940
Holland, D. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Holland, D. F.    Died : 20 / 9 / 1940	Holland, D. F. Pilot Officer D.F.Holland of No 72 Squadron baled out of his Spitfire I (X4410) on the 20th of September 1940 after combat over Canterbury. Pilot Officer Holland later died of his wounds.
Kingcome, Brian Fabris Click the name above to see a profile of Kingcome, Brian Fabris    Died : 0 / 0 / 1994	Kingcome, Brian Fabris Brian Fabris Kingcome was born in Calcutta on May 31st 1917. Brian Kingcome was educated at Bedford and in 1936 entered the RAF College, Cranwell. Soon after he began his pilot course he was seriously injured in a car accident and was told by the RAF medical board that he would never fly again as he was expected to suffer permanent double vision. But after months in hospital and with Brians strength of character he proved the board wrong. In 1938 he was posted to No 65, a biplane Gladiator fighter squadron based at Hornchurch. Brian Kingcome took part in the Battles of France and Dunkirk but transferred to 92 Squadron as a flight commander and flying Spitfires in May 1940 scoring his first victories in June 1940. Brian Kingcome became acting commanding officer during the latter stages of the Battle of Britain. During this time he and his pilots achieved the highest success rate of any squadron in the entire Battle of Britain. After being shot down by Me109s and wounded, he returned to active operations. In February 1942 he was posted to command 72 Squadron, followed by promotion to Wing Leader at Kenley. In May 1943 he was posted to lead 244 Wing in the Mediterranean during the invasion of Sicily. An Ace, Brian Kingcome flew Spitfires in combat continually until the end of 1944, his tally finishing at 8 and 3 shared destroyed, plus a score of probables and damaged. One of the prewar Cranwell elite, Brian Kingcome was to become one ofthe Second World Wars great fighter leaders, alongside such immortals as Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford Tuck and Johnnie Johnson. At the outbreak of war he was serving in 65 Squadron, but in May 1940 was posted to 92 Squadron as flight commander. On 25 May he shared a Do 17 and on 2 June destroyed two He l l Is and damaged a third. He shared a Ju 88 with two others on I0 July, and again on the 24th. On 9 September he probably destroyed a Bf 110 and two days later shot down a He 111. On the 14th he damaged another. He shot down a Bf 109 on the 23rd and next day probably destroyed another and damaged a Ju 88. Three days later he shared a Ju 88 again, damaged two others, probably destroyed a Do 17, and damaged one of these also. Around this time he was awarded a DFC for six victories, and on 11 October got a Bf 109 He claimed another next day, and also damaged one. In 1941 he became commanding officer, having frequently led the squadron. It will be noted that he claimed many probables and damaged during the Battle of Britain, and this was due to his view that it was more important to hit as many as possible than to try and confirm victories. On 16 June 1941 lie probably destroyed a Bf 109, and on 24 July shot one down. He was then rested until late in the year, when he was posted to command 72 Squadron, and in February 1942 gave escort cover to the Fleet Air Arm pilot Eugene Esmonde, who won the VC trying to attack German capital ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and and the cruiser ‘Prinz Eugen’ with Swordfish during the Channel Dash. In atrocious weather Kingcome caught a fleeting glimpse of tbe Scharnhorst - Oh what a beautiful battleboat! he exclaimed, just as a shell made a hole the size of a dustbin lid in his port wing. During 1941 he received a Bar to his DFC, having brought his score to 10. He was promoted to lead the Kenley wing, and on 15 April 1942 damaged a Fw 190. He probably destroyed a Bf 109 on 28 May, and during the year was awarded a DSO, having added another victory to his score. In 1943 he was posted to North Africa to lead 244 Wing, and lead this for 18 months, becoming a Gp. Capt. after the invasion of Italy. By the end of his stay with the wing he had brought his score to 18, and was then posted as SASO of a Liberator group, and flew an operation as a waist gunner over northern Yugoslavia after taking up this appointment. Sadly Group Captain Brian Kingcome passed away aged 76 in 1994.
Lee, M. A. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Lee, M. A. W.    Died : 31 / 12 / 1940	Lee, M. A. W. Sergeant M.A.Lee of No 421 Flight was attacked on October 15th 1940. He force landed his Spitfire II (P7444) and he was wounded. The Spitfire was written off, but was repaired at a later date.
Lees DFC, Ronald B. Click the name above to see a profile of Lees DFC, Ronald B.	Lees DFC, Ronald B. Wing Commander Ronald B.Lees of No 72 Squadron was wounded on September 2nd 1940 when his Spitfire I (K9840) was damaged in combat and he crashed near Lympne.
Leigh, Arthur Click the name above to see a profile of Leigh, Arthur	Leigh, Arthur Another RAFVR pilot, The son of a regular soldier, Arthur Leigh was called up at the outbreak of war. After finishing his flying training he was posted to 7 OTU and then on to convert to Spitfires in August 1940. Arthur Leigh flew with 64 Squadron at Leconfield and 72 Squadron at Biggin Hill during the Battle of Britain before transferring to 611 Squadron. Awarded the DFM in September 1941, Leigh had then completed 50 sweeps, had destroyed two Bf 109s, probably destroyed another four and shared in the destruction of a Do 17. After a spell instructing and ferrying Hurricanes from Gibraltar to Cairo, he returned to operations with 56 Squadron flying Typhoons from Manston. He was shot down on his first sweep by flak, near Calais but was picked up by an ASR launch. In late 1943 Leigh was posted to 129 Squadron at Hornchurch and was awarded the DDC on completing his second tour in December 1944, spending the rest of the war as an instructor.
Lindsay, A. I. Click the name above to see a profile of Lindsay, A. I.    Died : 23 / 10 / 1942	Lindsay, A. I. Killed October 23rd 1942
Lloyd, J. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Lloyd, J. P.    Died : 0 / 0 / 1971	Lloyd, J. P. Passed away 1971.
Males, E. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Males, E. E.    Died : 27 / 9 / 1940	Males, E. E. Killed September 27th 1940
Morrison, N. Click the name above to see a profile of Morrison, N.    Died : 24 / 2 / 1941	Morrison, N. Killed February 24th 1941
Norfolk, N. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Norfolk, N. R.	Norfolk, N. R. Sergeant N.R. Norfolk of No 72 Squadron was forced to crash-land his Spitfire I (K9938) on September 2nd 1940. He was in combat over Herne Bay.
O'meara, J. J. Click the name above to see a profile of O'meara, J. J.	O'meara, J. J. P/O James J. O'meara flew with No 421 flight, No 64 and No 72 Squadron's. He flew Spitfire (P 9554) between the 12th and the 15th of August 1940. His score at the end of the war was 11 destroyed, 1 shared, 1 unconfirmed, 4 probables and 11 damaged.
Pigg, O. St. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Pigg, O. St. J.    Died : 2 / 9 / 1940	Pigg, O. St. J. Flight Officer O.Stj Pigg of No 72 Squadron was shot down and killed on September 1st 1940 over Pluckley, near Ashford in Kent. His Spitfire I (P9458) had been attacked.
Plant, R. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Plant, R. E.    Died : 21 / 11 / 1940	Plant, R. E. Sergeant R.E.Plant from No 603 Squadron was killed on November 21st 1940 near Faversham, Kent. His Spitfire II (P7387) was in a collision.
Pocock, M. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Pocock, M. H.	Pocock, M. H. Sergeant Maurice H.Pocock of No 72 Squadron was wounded on September 1st 1940 in a Spitfire I (L1056) over Beachy Head. His aircraft was damaged in the combat and he belly landed it at West Malling. He was later promoted to Flight Lieutenant and became an air traffic controller.
Pool, P. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Pool, P. D.    Died : 19 / 8 / 1942	Pool, P. D. Pilot Officer P.D.Pool of No 72 Squadron was wounded on October 11th 1940 when his Spitfire I (K9870) was shot down near Deal in Kent. Pool baled out and was injured.
Ritchie, J. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Ritchie, J. R.	Ritchie, J. R. Pilot Officer J.R.Ritchie of No 600 Squadron was posted on August 28th 1940 to No 111 Squadron flying in a Hurricane. J.R.Ritchie was awarded the A.F.C. on June 13th 1946.
Robillard, Larry Click the name above to see a profile of Robillard, Larry    Died : 8 / 3 / 2006	Robillard, Larry Born in Ottawa, 17 November 1920, Canadian ace with 8 victories. Sgt. Joseph Guillame Laurent Robillard, During a sweep over the Lille area, less than a month after his first operational flight, Sergeant Robillard, a former member of the Ottawa Flying club, saw a fellow pilot parachuting. Believing it was his commanding officer who had been shot down, Robillard started to protect the descending pilot by escorting him down, but was himself attacked by nine enemy fighters. In the fierce fight which followed the daring Ottawan destroyed at least two of his attackers. Flight Leutnant Larry Robillard was one of Johnnie Johnsons keen and skillful Canadian pilots. He was shot down over France in 1943. However, with his fluent French and the help of the Resistance, he managed to get back to England, and received a heros welcome when he returned to France to continue the fight, leading a section of 443 Squadron of Johnnies 144 Wing following the Liberation. He flew with 145 Sqn RAF, 72 Sqn RAF, 402 Sqn RCAF, 443 Sqn RCAF. Larry Robillard died at his home in Montreal, Canada on 8th March 2006.
Robson, N. C. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Robson, N. C. H.	Robson, N. C. H.
Rolls, W T. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Rolls, W T. E.	Rolls, W T. E.
Secretan, D. Click the name above to see a profile of Secretan, D.	Secretan, D.
Sheen, Desmond Click the name above to see a profile of Sheen, Desmond    Died : 0 / 0 / 2001	Sheen, Desmond Flight Officer Desmond F.B.Sheen of No 72 Squadron an Australian baled out of his Spitfire I (X4109) safely on September 1st 1940 at Ham Street, Kent. He had been in combat with some German fighters. On September 5th 1940 he was wounded in combat after baling out of his Spitfire I (X4034) near Hawkinge. He was later promoted to the rank of Wing Commander and awarded the D.F.C. and Bar.
Smith, F. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, F. M.	Smith, F. M. Flight Lieutenant F.M.Smith a Canadian of No 72 Squadron was wounded on August 31st 1940. He baled out of his Spitfire I (P9438) after combat.
Squier, John Click the name above to see a profile of Squier, John    Died : 30 / 1 / 2006	Squier, John John Squier was called up from the RAFVR at the outbreak of war, joining 64 Squadron at Kenley in June 1940 flying Spitfires. In August he crash landed following an attack by Hannes Trautloft of III/JG51, suffering severe injuries. Rejoining 64 Squadron in November, he was posted to 72 Squadron, then 603 Squadron, and finally 141 Squadron. He was commissioned in 1942. After the war he became a test pilot and was the first pilot to eject at supersonic speed. He died 30th January 2006.
Staples, Robert Charles John Click the name above to see a profile of Staples, Robert Charles John    Died : 0 / 0 / 1985	Staples, Robert Charles John Robert Charles John Staples was born on 13th March 1914 and attended Weymouth Technical High School. He joined the RAF in January 1930 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in December 1932 as a Fitter, Aero Engines. He later applied for pilot training and was selected. He began his elementary flying course at 6 E&RFTS Sywell on 17th October 1936, moved on to 6 FTS Netheravon on 6th February 1937 and, with his training completed, he joined 72 Squadron at Church Fenton on 4th September 1937. Sergeant R.C.J.Staples of No 72 Squadron crashed his Spitfire I (L1078) during landing on August 6th 1940 at Acklington. The aircraft was written off but he escaped injury.He had flown this spitfire several time Other Spitfire he had flown were 18th AUGUST X4109, 22ND August X4034 24th August K9940 31st August R6928, 1st September morning X4105, 1st Sept afternoon X4005 , 2nd Sept morning X4105 2nd sept afternoon both R6971 and K9460 - 2/9 pm, flying N3068 Sept. 9th and 11th R9460 Septe. 14th and 15th, L1083 on Septe 23 and 27th, Sept 28th flying X4486 R6721 on October 1st, 2nd and 4th at 09:50 on 05/10/1940. Sergeant R.C.J.Staples also flew Spitfire Mk1a, serial no.X4544 which was damaged in a mid-air collision while being scrambled from Biggin Hill P/O Sutton in Spitfire K9989 was killed. X4486 on October 7th and 8th, X4483 on the 23th October and X4595 on 27th and 29th. On 26th March 1941 Staples was posted to 58 OTU Grangemouth as an instructor. He was with 65 Squadron at Westhampnett briefly in November 1941 but was then sent to 2 CFS Dalcross on 23rd November for an instructors course. Staples was commissioned in January 1942 and posted to 2 FTS Brize Norton on the 21st. He moved to 3(P) AFU Long Newton on 29th July. From 10th May 1943 he was with 1539 BAT Flight at South Cerney, and later Bibury. On 19th June 1944 Staples went to 1533 BAT Flight at Church Lawford and stayed there until October. He transferred to the Administrative and Special Duties Branch and became involved with mechanical transport. Staples was posted to Singapore in late 1945 and remained in the Far East until returning to the UK to retire from the RAF on 26th March 1948 as a Flight Lieutenant.
Steere, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Steere, J.	Steere, J.
Sutton, N. Click the name above to see a profile of Sutton, N.    Died : 5 / 10 / 1940	Sutton, N. Killed October 5th 1940 when involved in a mid-air collision with F/O Robert Charles John Staples and P/O N Sutton in Spitfire K9989, was killed.
Terry, P. H. R. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Terry, P. H. R. R.	Terry, P. H. R. R.
Thomson, R. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomson, R. A.	Thomson, R. A. Flight Officer R.A.Thompson of No 72 Squadron was wounded on September 1st 1940. He baled out of his Spitfire I over Hythe after combat.
Villa, John Click the name above to see a profile of Villa, John	Villa, John Flight Lieutenant John Wolferstan 'Pancho' Villa was a pre war member of the R.A.F. and flew with No 72 Squadron. He moved to No 92 Squadron in October 1940 to lead a flight. He shot down 10 enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain and was awarded the D.F.C.. He took over command of No 65 Squadron in the August of 1941.
Walker, R. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Walker, R. J.	Walker, R. J.
White, J. Click the name above to see a profile of White, J.    Died : 14 / 6 / 1941	White, J. Killed June 14th 1941
Wilcox, E. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilcox, E. J.    Died : 31 / 8 / 1940	Wilcox, E. J. Flight Officer E.J.Wilcox of No 72 Squadron was shot down and killed in his Spitfire I (P9457) on August 31st 1940 over Dungeness.
Winskill, Archie Click the name above to see a profile of Winskill, Archie    Died : 9 / 8 / 2005	Winskill, Archie An RAFVR pilot, Winskill flew with both 72 Squadron and 603 Squadrons during the Battle of Britain. Commissioned in August 1940 he was posted in February 1941 to 41 Squadron where he soon became a Flight Commander. Baders determination to engage the enemy at every possible opportunity is what he remembers most clearly of the period, On August 14th he was shot down over France, just five days after Bader. He managed to evade capture and, with the help of the French Resistance, made his way to Spain and then Gibraltar. He was the first pilot to use this route home. After another operational posting to North Africa, after which he was awarded a Bar to his DFC, he finished the war with four confirmed victories. Post war he stayed on in the RAF and was Captain of the Queens Flight for 14 years. He died 9th August 2005.
Winter, D. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Winter, D. C.    Died : 5 / 9 / 1940	Winter, D. C. Pilot Officer D.C.Winter of No 72 Squadron was killed on September 5th 1940. His Spitfire I (X4013) was shot down in combat with a Bf 109 over Kent, he baled out of his aircraft too low.