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Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers
1939-1945

 

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Rae-Martin,
Alastair Adam
A.A. Rae-Martin (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115013]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]
Randall,
Maurice Dean
M.D. Randall (Photo courtesy of Mr Paul Fleet) M.D. Randall (Photo courtesy of Mr Paul Fleet)
Son of Arthur Ernest Randall (1882-1940), and Jane Elizabeth Gray (1882-1964).
Married (11.1939, Luton district, Bedfordshire) Doris Mabel Dawson, of Barton-in-the-Clay, Bedfordshire.
15.11.1911
Luton, Bedfordshire
-
20.10.1944
[age 32]
[Ranchi War Cemetery, 2.H.2]
Ldg.Acm. ? [1467792]
(A) P/O (prob) 19.12.1942 [135274]
(WS) F/O (prob) 19.06.1943
Education: Luton Modern School.
Manager of Messrs. Barnard and Dawson, hat materials merchants, of Luton.
      pre-service training with Luton 10F Squadron A.T.C.
12.1941     enlisted RAFVR
19.12.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
06.1943     went to India (took part in over 150 operational flights; 08.1944 seriously ill with scarlet fever)
? - 20.10.1944 navigator, 82 Squadron RAF
[Flg. Offs A.E. Parker and M.D. Randall of 82 Squadron were on 20 October [1944] detailed to make a practice bombing attack on Random Range. During the shallow-dive run in half of the starboard wing out-board of the nacelle crumpled and disintegrated. The Mosquito rolled into the ground. Immediately all others in India were grounded. Inspection of the aircraft revealed that heat and exposure were at last taking their toll, causing the glue to crack and skinning to lift from the spars. Fabric cracked too. Accordingly all Mosquitoes were ordered to be flown to No. 1 Construction & Maintenance Unit Kanchrapra if they had been in the Far East for three months or over, or had spent a month in the Middle East. Further investigation revealed that the aircraft in which formaldehyde glue had been used were in satisfactory state. At Hatfield all completed parts in which formaldehyde glue had not been used were ordered to be destroyed or sold off as scrap.]
Ranson,
Roger Mortlock
F.A. Rice

Younger son of Frank Mortlock Ranson, late of RN College Dartmouth, and of Florence Sylvia Teschemacher, of Kingston, Sussex.
Living and farming at Spelsbury Downs Farm in Dean (Charlbury, Oxfordshire) before being called up for service.
14.12.1912
Hampstead district, London
-
05.06.1942
(KIA) [age 29]
[Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery, the Netherlands, 29.B.7]
Ldg.Acm. ? [1315617]
P/O (prob) 24.01.1942 [116488]
Education: Haileybury College (1926.3-1931.1; Batten House); Emmanuel College, Cambridge University (BA).
24.01.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 05.06.1944 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF
[Lancaster B. Mk.1 R5516 "KM-F" took off for an operation against Essen from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Hit by Flak/AAA and ditched at 01.50 hrs into the North Sea West of Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands. Four of the 7 crew were KIA, three survived to be taken POW. The body of Ranson (the pilot) was washed ashore near Callantsoog, Netherlands on June 28 1942.]
Rashbrooke,
Percy Robert William
P.R.W. Rashbrooke (Photo courtesy of Mr Jeremy Rashbrooke)
Married 1st ((03?).1934, Finsbury district, London) Winifred M. Duhamel.
Married 2nd ((12?).1946, Westminster district, London) Olive G. Roper.
18.10.1906
St Pancras district, London
-
05.1986
Surrey South-Western district
(A) P/O (prob) 31.10.1941 [110183]
P/O (prob) 31.12.1941
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of F/Lt.)
31.10.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Ratcliffe,
Edward Lloyd George
E.L.G. Ratcliffe
Son of Herbert Edward Ratcliffe, and Elizabeth Horton.
Married ((06?).1939, Pontypridd district, Glamorgan) Elizabeth Ann John, of Treorchy, Glamorgan.
(03?).1913
Worksop district, Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire - West Riding
-
19.02.1943
(KIA) [age 30]
[Ameland (Nes) General Cemetery, the Netherlands, D.13.17]
Sgt. ? [657065]
P/O (prob) 14.03.1942 [118621]
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
14.03.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 19.02.1943 navigator, 15 Squadron RAF
[Took off from Bourn at 17:50 hrs in his Stirling III [BF457 LS-B] for an operation against Wilhelmshaven; crashed with loss of the complete crew at 21:00 hrs on Ameland, some 5 km East of Buren in an area known locally as the Nijlandsrijd, after being shot down by Oberleutnant Hans Joachim Jabs of IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1]
Ratut,
Hyam Ivor
H.I. Ratut (Photo courtesy of Mr Nicholas Ratut)
From London.
Married ((03?).1951, Westminster district, London) Winifred Elizabeth Kate Barter (Mrs Spiro Gabriele) (01.04.1910 - 28.03.2001), daughter (with one brother and one sister) of Alfred Thomas Barter (1878-1965), and Florence Hyde (1878-); one son, one step-daughter.

13.07.1907
-
13.09.1978
Winton Nursing Home, Nether Wallop, Andover district, Hampshire
(A) P/O (prob) 01.06.1940 [79973]
P/O (prob) 14.10.1940
P/O 01.06.1941
(WS) F/O 14.10.1941
(T) F/Lt. 01.01.1944
F/Lt. ? (Emgcy List) (reld 10.08.1954; retaining rank of F/Lt.)
01.06.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]
24.08.1940     transferred, Administrative and Special Duties Branch
01.02.1942     transferred, RAF Regiment
(05.1945)     Commander of No. 1 Flight from Biggin Hill at the Thanksgiving Parade at St. Paul's Cathedral
Company director (Ragamuffin Ltd., 1970s).
Rawlins,
Colin Guy Champion
C.G.C. Rawlins C.G.C. Rawlins (Photo courtesy of Mr John Vasco)
C.G.C. Rawlins (Photo courtesy of Mr John Vasco)
Only son of Richard Seymour Champion Rawlins (1886-1949), and Yvonne Blanche Andrews, of Gibraltar.
Married (25.05.1946, St Peter's Church, Frimley, Surrey North Western district) Rosemary "Patsy" Jensen, daughter of Mr & Mrs Jens Jensen, of Maultway House, Camberley; one daughter, two sons.

05.06.1919
Lewisham district, London
-
23.10.2003
Marlow, Chiltern district, Buckinghamshire
P/O 01.11.1938 [72510]
F/O 01.05.1940
(WS) F/Lt. 01.05.1941
(A) Sq.Ldr. ?
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military  Division) OBE 01.01.1965 New Year 65: Acting Resident Commissioner and Resident Secretary, Northern Rhodesia
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 11.02.1941 ?
1939-1945 Star 39|45 St - -
Air Crew Europe Star AirCr Eur - -
War Medal 1939-1945 WM 39|45 - -
Education: Prince of Wales School, Nairobi; Charterhouse (1933.2-1937.2; Bodeites House); Queen's College, Oxford (MA; OU swimming 1938, 1939).
01.11.1938     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
      advanced pilot training at Montrose and at Upper Heyford
08.1940 - 12.1940 144 Squadron RAF
12.1940 - 05.1941 rested
05.1941 - 12.05.1941 Flight Commander, 144 Squadron RAF (Hemswell)
[Flew in Hampden AD900 (PL-?) for a raid on Bremen.
Shot down by a night-fighter (Obleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf, 11./NJG1) and crashed 02:57 hrs at Hoogkarspel (Noord Holland), 6 km WSW of Enkhuizen. As a result of a broken ankle sustained in a low parachute jump, for three months he was laid up in a German naval hospital at Alkmaar, in Holland. POW (No. 6424) in German captivity in several camps: 10C, 6B, 21B & Stalag Luft III.]
FCIS 1967. Colonial administrator in Africa (Northern Rhodesia/Zambia; appointments at Headquarters and in field; Provincial Commissioner, Resident Secretary), 1946-1966. Director of Zoos of the Zoological Society of London, 1966-1984. Member, Pearce Commission on Rhodesia's opinion, 1971-1972. Past President, International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens. Chairman of Trustees, Zimbabwe Trust, 1993-...
Rayment,
Kenneth Gordon
K.G. Rayment
Son of Leonard Rayment, and Elsie Kirk.
11.03.1921
Wanstead, West Ham district, Essex
-
15.03.1958
Munich, Germany
Sgt. ? [1269670]
P/O (prob) 01.09.1941 [108000]
(WS) F/O 01.09.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 01.09.1943
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 27.07.1943 ?
Mentioned in Despatches MID 02.06.1943 ?
Joined Merchant Navy, 1937.
15.10.1940     joined RAFVR
03.1941     training, 17 Elementary Flying Training School RAF
1941     training, 32 Service Flying Training School RAF (Moose Jaw, Canada) [passed out top of his course]
01.09.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
09.1941     56 Operational Training Unit RAF (Sutton Bridge)
12.1941     153 Squadron RAF
12.1941     night fighter training, 62 Operational Training Unit RAF (East Fortune)
02.1942 - 07.1943 153 Squadron RAF (from 12.1942 North Africa) (DFC)
07.1943 - 09.1943 stationed at Reghaia
09.1943 - 19.04.1944 51 Operational Training Unit (Cranfield)
04?.1944 - 11.1944 264 Squadron RAF (from 11.08.1944 France)
Seconded to BOAC flying Lodestars in November 1944 until end 1945. 1946 - transferred to BEA on its foundation flying Oxfords, then Dakotas until 1947, then Vikings. March 1953 began flying Ambassadors Flew Viscounts as a Senior Captain. On 6 February 1958 flew as second pilot on a special charter flight carrying the Manchester United football team home from Munich which crashed at Munich Airport in a snowstorm on take-off. Rayment was hospitalised with a broken leg and severe head and internal injuries. His leg was subsequently amputated but he died on 15 March without regaining conciousness. Rayment recorded 6 destroyed, 1 damaged and 1 V-1 destroyed victories during WW2.

Rayner,
Hugh Smyth
H.S. Rayner (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
F/Sgt. ? [359963]
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 10.10.1941 [115015]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]
Raynsford,
Edward Charles Richard
E.C.R. Raynsford (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115016]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Read,
Joseph Stuart
J.S. Read (Photo courtesy of Mr Peter Hodgkinson) J.S. Read (Photo courtesy of Mr Peter Hodgkinson)
J.S. Read (Photo courtesy of Mr Peter Hodgkinson) J.S. Read (Photo courtesy of Mr Peter Hodgkinson)
Son (with thee siblings) of Joseph Read (1881?-1928), an iron fettler, and Lena White.
Married 1st (10.04.1943, Nottinghamshire; divorced 1950) Audrey Mary Button.
Married 2nd (19.01.1952, Westminster Registry Office, London) Pauline Ann Spencer; ... children (one daughter?).
13.10.1920
Wortley, Leeds
-
07.11.2006
Wrexham, Cheshire
Acm. 2nd cl. 29.07.1940 [1109104]
Ldg. Acm. 20.03.1941
T/Sgt. 19.04.1941
P/O (prob) 17.05.1943 [155371]
(WS) F/O (prob) 17.11.1943
(WS) F/Lt. 17.05.1945
F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 17.11.1946
F/O RAF 25.11.1948, seniority 17.05.1945
F/Lt. RAF 05.11.1958
F/Lt.. RAF (Supplementary List) 16.12.1960
Sq.Ldr. RAF (Supplementary List) 01.07.1967 (retd 13.10.1975)
1939-1945 Star 39|45 St - -
Air Crew Europe Star AirCr Eur - -
Defence Medal Def M - -
War Medal 1939-1945 WM 39|45 - -
General Service Medal GenSM - & Arabian Peninsula clasp
Education: West Leeds High School.
Clerk/salesman for Siemens Electrical, Leeds, 1937-1940.
29.07.1940     enlisted, RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
29.07.1940 - 28.08.1940 Air Crew Holding Unit, 3 RAF Depot (Padgate (Warrington)), renamed No. 3 Recruit Centre RAF
29.08.1940 - 24.01.1941 No. 10 Signal Recruit Centre RAF (Blackpool) (under training)  [qualified wireless operator 18.01.1941]
25.01.1941 - 1941 Inland Area Aircraft School RAF (under training)
1941 - 26.04.1941 Gunnery School RAF (under training)
27.04.1941 - 19.07.1941 16 Operational Training Unit RAF (Upper Heyford) [half wing air-gunners badge 19.06.1941]
20.07.1941 - 01.10.1942 408 (RCAF) Squadron RAF (Syerston, Nottinghamshire 20.07.1941-08.12.1941, Balderton, Nottinghamshire 09.12.1941-12.09.1942)
02.10.1942 - 25.02.1944 instructor, 11 Operational Training Unit RAF (Westcott) (including officer training)
17.05.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) (Air Gunners and Wireless Operators (Air)) [emergency commission]
26.02.1944 - 18.03.1944 Pathfinder Force Navigational Training Unit RAF (Warboys)
19.03.1944 - 09.05.1944 83 (Pathfinder) Squadron RAF (Coningsby)
[Taken off 22:28 hrs in Lancaster III (ND494 OL-G) to bomb the the Gnome and Rhône Works at Gennevilliers. The aircraft was hit by flak while flying low near Rouen. The pilot tried to gain height, only to be attacked by a night-fighter. With the starboard wing on fire, and attempt was made to reach the Channel, but in the event a crash-landing was made on a hillside near Bailleul-la-Vallee (Eure), 16 km NW of Bernay. Two crew members were killed instantly, one injured (to die the next day), with the other four crew members being captured.]
09.05.1944 - 02.05.1945 POW in German captivity
[For two months in hospital at Clichy, Paris, then Dulag Luft, then Stalag Luft III, then Milag und Marlag Nord, finally Oflag 10c [Lübeck]]
10.05.1945 - ? No. 106 Personnel Reception Centre RAF (Cosford)
... - ... ...
[transferred Equipment Branch in 1948, he served in Maintenance Command & Transport Command, in the UK, Iraq & India, UK again, then Sudan & Aden, UK again, then Malta, UK again]
Quickly bored with retirement, he was employed for 6 months as a financial controller at the Gordano Services on the M5, then for a number of years at The Granary Club, Bristol, and as Secretary to Portbury Parish Council, before he finally ended his working life. His retirement was spent at Portishead, and after his health deteriorated, at Wrexham.
Literature
: Peter Hodgkinson & Julia Francis, Squadron Leader Joseph Stuart Read ([2021]; unpublished)
Reeve,
Edwin
E. Reeve
Son of John Reeve, and Rosa Mary Hatchett, of Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
Married ((12?).1930, Amersham district, Buckinghamshire) Beryl Lottie West ((03?).1907 - ), of Chesham; ... children (one son?).
(06?).1903
-
17.12.1940
[age 37]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 9]
(A) P/O (prob) 26.03.1940 [78280]
P/O (prob) 15.05.1940
26.03.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 17.12.1940 61 Squadron RAF
[Flew from Hemswell. Lost on a raid to Mannheim in Hampden X3128 [QR-?]. From the records it appears they ran out of petrol on the way back.]
 
Reid,
William
"Bill"
W. Reid W. Reid
W. Reid W. Reid
W. Reid W. Reid

21.12.1912
Baillieston, Lanarkshire, Scotland
-
28.11.2001
Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland
Sgt. ? [1348645]
P/O (prob) 19.06.1942 [124438]
(WS) F/O (prob) 19.12.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 19.06.1944 (reld 15.01.1949)
F/O 15.01.1949
F/Lt. 31.05.1951 (reld 15.01.1959)
Victoria Cross VC 14.12.1943 attack on Düsseldorf 03.11.43
19.06.1942

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      for details see different obituaries
[ <-- buttons on the left]
15.01.1949     commissioned, Reconstituted RAFVR
 
Reuben,
Harry
H. Reuben
Married ...; ... children (one daughter?).

15.10.1906
Whitechapel district, London
-
19.03.1980
Waltham Forest district, Greater London
P/O (prob) 18.08.1941 [103085]
P/O 18.08.1942 (reld 08.01.1946)
18.08.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Reynolds,
James Norris
J.N. Reynolds (Photo courtesy of Mr Andrew Brown)
Son of Albert Reynolds, and Joan Whicher.
25.08.1921
Brentford district, Middlesex
-
2012
Sgt. ? [932482]
P/O (prob) 30.03.1942 [119882]
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 30.03.1944
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 23.05.1944 in recognition of gallantry
displayed in flying operations against the enemy *
* This officer has set a fine example of skill, courage and devotion to duty. He has completed a large number of sorties during which he has successfully attacked many dangerous and difficult targets. On one occasion, whilst over Berlin, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard aileron was badly damaged and the aircraft temporarily went out of control. Flight Lieutenant Reynolds regained control however, and, although much physical effort was required to keep the aircraft on a level course, he pressed home his attack and afterwards flew safely to base. This officer displayed skill, determination and devotion to duty of the highest standard.
30.03.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1944)     158 Squadron RAF (DFC)
Rhodes,
Alan Morgan
A.M. Rhodes
Son of John Ellis Rhodes, and Ethel M.V. Morgan.
Married ((09?).1942, Grantham district, Lincolnshire) Boris Mason, daughter of Harold and Lilian Mason, of the Joiners Arms, Grantham, Lincolnshire; one son.
(12?).1915
Croydon district, Surrey
-
24.02.1944
(MPK) [age 29]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 203]
(T) F/Sgt. ? [745392]
P/O (prob) 16.01.1942 [115142]
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 16.01.1944
Employed with General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd, Croydon.
16.01.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 24.02.1944 59 Squadron RAF
[Liberator GR Mk V (FL 980) left Ballykelly on an anti-submarine patrol and failed to return.]
His son writes: "Flew many missions as pilot for Coastal Command and disappeared in action in 1944."
Rice,
Frederick Andrew
F.A. Rice
22.06.1902
-
14.05.1978
Westminster district, London SW3
P/O (prob) 28.09.1939
P/O 28.09.1940
(WS) F/O 03.1941, seniority 23.01.1940
(T) F/Lt. 01.03.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 22.08.1943
(WS) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1945
28.09.1939     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Executive.
Richards,
Eric
E. Richards
?
-
Acm. 2nd cl. ? [1127493]
(A) P/O (prob) 05.09.1941, seniority 10.07.1941 [105948]
P/O (prob) 05.11.1941
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942, seniority 10.09.1942
(A) F/Lt. (1944)
(WS) F/Lt. 28.11.1945 (Emgcy List) (reld 07.08.1958; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
Mentioned in Despatches MID 14.01.1944 ?
(07.1941)     RAF Hodnet
05.09.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
 
Richardson,
Anthony Thomas Stewart Currie
A.T.S.C. Richardson
Son of Maj. L.C. Richardson, of High Bickington, Devon.
Married ((09?).1923, Paddington district, London) Marion de Mouchet Baynham (07.03.1900 - 08.1987), daughter (with one brother and one sister) of Albert Edward Baynham (1856-1932), and Lilian Frances Emma Swayne (1859-1943); one daughter. Marion Richardson remarried ((09?).1964) Francis W. Wilkinson.

11.11.1899
Kensington district, Greater London
-
04.02.1964
Southwark district, London
T/2nd Lt. 05.09.1918 (reld 01.09.1921)
P/O (prob) 18.06.1940 [80934]
(WS) F/O (prob) 20.01.1941
(WS) F/O 18.06.1941
(T) F/Lt. 01.09.1942 (demobilized 1946) (emgcy) (reld 10.02.1954)
Education: Marlborough College (09.1913-07.1917; C1, Maltese Cross House); Manchester University.
05.09.1918     commissioned, Labour Corps
09.11.1918     transferred, The King's Own Scottish Borderers
18.06.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for administrative duties) [emergency commission]
Newspaperman, author & scenarist for Fox British Film Co., Columbia, Metro Goldwyn Mayer, etc.
Published
: Ransom (1925); High silver (1926); Barbury witch : a novel (1927); Transgressor (1928); Milord and I (1931); City of the rose (1933); Golden empire (1938); Because of these : verses of the Royal Air Force (1942); These - our children (1943); Full cycle (1946); Wingless victory : the story of Sir Basil Embry’s escape from occupied France in the summer of 1940 (1950) [US ed.: Alone he went (1951)]; The crowded hours : the story of "Sos" Cohen (1952); Nick of the River : the story of detective inspector David Herbert Cyril Nixon, late of the Thames Division, Metropolitan Police (1955); Ona man and his dog (1960); No place to lay my head (1957); Nick of Notting Hill, the bearded policeman : the story of Police Constable J. Nixon, F. 166 of the Metropolitan Police (1965).
Richardson,
Selwyn
S. Richardson (Photo courtesy of Mr Stanley Richardson) S. Richardson (Photo courtesy of Mr Michael Ogden)
Only son of Harry Richardson, and Mary Alice Forrest.
Married ...; one daughter.
28.09.1922
Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire

-
05.1992
Poole, Dorset
F/Sgt. ? [1230989]
P/O (prob) 06.09.1943 [158546]
P/O 06.03.1944, seniority 06.09.1943
(WS) F/O 06.03.1944
(WS) F/Lt. 06.09.1945
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 14.11.1944 ?
Distinguished Flying Medal DFM 12.11.1943 ?
Education: Priestman Central School, Bradford, Yorkshire (c. 1933-1937; technical school).
Worked for City Express Motors Wakefield Road & I.G. Dyestuffs, Bradford, Yorkshire, 1937-1941.
1941     enlisted, RAFVR (received air training in USA)
06.09.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1943)     77 Squadron RAF
(1944)     692 Squadron RAF
 
Richman,
Louis Leslie
L.L. Richman (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
1903 ?
-
24.04.1962
Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex (formerly of Northwood)
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115020]
P/O (prob) 28.02.1942
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942 (Emgcy) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of F/Lt.)
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Rideal,
Eric Chichester
E.C. Rideal E.C. Rideal
Elder son of Cdr. Leonard Chichester Rideal (1891-1966), and his Swedish spouse, of Cornwall Gardens, London SW.
Married (1948?) Anne-Marie Callet, only daughter of the late M.E. Callet and Mme M. Callet, of St Quentin, France; ... children (one son?).
23.06.1920
-
24.12.2006
Mayday hospital, Croydon
Acm. 1st cl. ? [1026820]
(A) P/O (prob) 07.01.1942, seniority 04.10.1941 [115443]
P/O (prob) 07.03.1942, seniority 04.12.1941
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 20.07.1946
F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.09.1945
(A) Sq.Ldr. ?
F/Lt. RAF 08.11.1948, seniority 07.01.1948
Sq.Ldr. RAF 01.01.1956 (retd 23.06.1969)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military  Division) OBE 01.01.1949 New Year 49
Education: Trinity Hall, Cambridge (1939).
07.01.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1944)     served as Intelligence Officer
(08.1945)     Officer-in-Charge, No. 5 (Holland) Section, Missing Research and Enquiry Service, RAF, British Liberation Army (The Hague, Holland)
08.11.1948     permanent commission, RAF
30.05.1949     transferred, RAF (Secretarial Branch)
(1950)     Adjutant, Western Union Examining Squadron (RAF Little Rissington, Gloucestershire)
26.11.1967 - 29.01.1968 Station Commander, RAF Hendon
Ridgway,
George Fideles
G.F. Ridgway (Photo courtesy of Len Lanigan)
Son of John and Mary Ridgway.
Husband of June Ridgway, of Oxford.
23.03.1905
Cork, Southern Ireland
-
14.10.1946
(died of carcinomatosis) [age 40]
[Oxford (Botley) Cemetery, plot H/3, grave 176]
Sgt.
? [358826]
P/O (prob)
15.08.1940, seniority 25.07.1940 [83486]
P/O
15.08.1941, seniority 25.07.1941
(WS) F/O
15.08.1941, seniority 25.07.1941
(T) F/Lt.
01.09.1942
(WS) F/Lt.
05.01.1945
(A) Sq.Ldr.
?
15.08.1940


commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
 
Ridley,
Raymond Nicholas
R.N. Ridley
Second (with two brothers and one sister) son of Gerald Lorimer Newport Ridley, BA (1869-1958), and Mabel Parker Wells (1870-1954), of Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex.
24.04.1904
Broomfield, Essex
-
20.01.1944
(MPK) [age 40]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 203]
(A) P/O (prob) 18.05.1940 [79218]
P/O (prob) 15.06.1940
P/O 18.05.1941
(WS) F/O 15.06.1941
(WS) F/Lt. 15.06.1942
18.05.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 20.01.1944 70 Squadron RAF
[Lancaster ND368 [MG-U]. Airborne 16:15 hrs from Oakington. Shot down from 19,000 feet by a night-fighter, which attacked from below and astern (Schröge Musicka?), exploding near Döberitz. Sgt Bartholomew was found alive, but died from his wounds six days later. F/L Ridley, who at 40 was well over the age associated with operational aircrew, is believed to have answered the invitation put out in 1940 for suitable candidates to present themselves for consideration as commissioned Air Gunners.]
 
Rivington,
Charles Arthur
C.A. Rivington
Only son of Arthur William Rivington (1855?-1929), and Rosamund Emma Herbert Jones (1874-1968).
Married (29.03.1941, Westminster district, London) Section Officer Arabella Louisa Nevill Hayne, WAAF ((03?).1915 - 08.02.1972), daughter of ... Hayne, and ... Cameron; one daughter.
23.11.1902
Chipperfield, Watford district, Hertfordshire
-
1994
P/O (prob) 05.06.1940 [79802]
(WS) F/O 05.06.1941
(T) F/Lt. 01.09.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 16.03.1944
(A) Sq.Ldr. (1943)
(WS) Sq.Ldr. 29.01.1945 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of W/Cdr.)
Mentioned in Despatches MID 17.09.1943 ?
Education: Charterhouse; Oxford.
Solicitor, 1928 (Parker, Garrett & Co.).
05.06.1940

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Under Warden (1966), Upper Warden (1967) & Master (1969), The Stationers' Company.
Published
: 'Tyrant', the story of John Barber, 1675 to 1741 : Jacobite Lord Mayor of London, and printer and friend to Dr. Swift (1989); Pepys and the booksellers (1992)
Roberts,
Alan Lestocq
A.L. Roberts 
Son of ... Roberts, and ... Hughes.
Married (22.02.1941, Witney district, Oxfordshire) Phyllis Eleanore Francis (02.04.1914 - 05.04.1983) (earlier married to & divorced from David M.H. Williams); one son, two daughters.
14.09.1916
Teddington, Kingston district, Middlesex
-
04.11.1980
Mount Alvernia Hospital, Guildford, Surrey
Sgt. ? [1169273]
P/O (prob) 25.11.1941 [115023]
(WS) F/O 21.07.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 19.02.1943
(A) Sq.Ldr. (1944)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 13.02.1942 *
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 04.04.1944 **
Mentioned in Despatches MID 14.01.1944 ?
* One night in September 1941 this officer was captain of an aircraft which carried out a raid on Genoa. The target was successfully bombed resulting in a large fire. Two nights later a successful attack was carried out at Stettin. These two operational flights covering a distance of over 2,700 miles involved a flying time of 17 hours. Pilot Officer Roberts has participated in attacks as far afield as Turin, Genoa, Stettin and Berlin. He has at all times displayed great skill, perseverance and courage
** One night in February, 1944, this officer captained an aircraft detailed to attack Schweinfurt. Early on the outward flight it was discovered that, owing to a broken pipe-line, the whole of the oxygen supply had been lost. Nevertheless Squadron Leader Roberts came down to a lower altitude and flew on to the target. Whilst over the area the aircraft was set on fire but the flames were extinguished and Squadron Leader Roberts flew back to base to complete his mission successfully. This officer displayed great determination throughout, setting a high example of devotion to duty
.
Education: in Switzerland.
07.1940     enlisted service
25.11.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1942)     9 Squadron RAF (DFC)
(1944)     514 Squadron RAF (Bar to DFC, despatches)
Roberts,
Albert Edward
A.E. Roberts (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115022]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]
Roberts,
Eric Robert Alfred
E.R.A. Roberts (Photo courtesy of 609 (West Riding) Sqn RAuxAF website) E.R.A. Roberts (Photo courtesy of 609 (West Riding) Sqn RAuxAF website)
E.R.A. Roberts E.R.A. Roberts
E.R.A. Roberts
Married ((12?).1945, Surrey Mid Eastern district) Eleanor C. Gregor.

609 (West Riding) Sqn RAuxAF website

(03?).1922
Richmond district, Surrey
-
Ldg.Acm. ? [1181896]
P/O (prob) 01.07.1941 [100070]
P/O 01.07.1942
(WS) F/O 01.07.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 01.07.1943
(A?) Sq.Ldr. 1944?
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 05.09.1944 *
* This officer is a most efficient and devoted flight commander. He has participated in very many attacks on targets such as enemy/shipping, airfields and mechanical transport with good results. His keenness and determination throughout have been most commendable.
01.07.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      flew Beaufighters
02.1943 - 09.03.1945 609 Squadron RAF
1944? - 1944? Adjutant
06.12.1944 - 09.03.1945 Commanding Officer
[09.03.1945 at 16.55 while on a mission against barges moored off the north coast of the island of Overflakkee the engine of his Typhoon IB [SW447] lost power and was force-landed south-west of Achthuizen, near Sommelsdijk, Goeree-Overflakkee, the Netherlands; captured]
09.03.1945 - 05?.1945 POW in German captivity
Post-war a pilot with British European Airways.
Roberts,
John Charles
J.C. Roberts
?
-
(A) P/O (prob)
01.08.1941 [103296]
P/O (prob)
18.09.1941
P/O
01.08.1942
(WS) F/O
18.09.1942
(T) F/Lt.
01.01.1944, seniority 01.07.1943
(WS) F/Lt.
13.09.1945 (emgcy list) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
01.08.1941


commissioned, RAFVR (Equipment Branch) [emergency commission]



served No 39 Squadron, No 32 ASP, No 3 Brick Unit, No 4 Beach Unit, No 68 Beach Unit, AD Wing
 
Roberts,
John Norman
J.N. Roberts
Son of Francis William Roberts (1873-1946), and Beatrice Maud Parsons (1875-1963).
Married ...; ... children.
11.06.1900
Handsworth, West Bromwich district, Staffordshire
-
11.1980
Worthing district, West Sussex
P/O (prob) 17.05.1940 [79294]
(WS) F/O 17.05.1941
(T) F/Lt. 01.06.1942 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
(A) Sq.Ldr. (1944)
Mentioned in Despatches MID 01.01.1945 ?
17.05.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for administrative and miscellaneous duties) [emergency commission]
 
Robertson,
Ian Alexander
I.A. Robertson
31.01.1919
Glasgow, Scotland
-
21.02.2011
Bedford, Bedfordshire
Sgt. ? [754102]
P/O (prob) 21.09.1940, seniority 14.09.1940 [86636]
(WS) F/O 21.09.1941, seniority 14.09.1941
(WS) F/Lt. 21.09.1942, seniority 14.09.1942
(A?) Sq.Ldr. (1945)
F/O 05.01.1949
F/Lt. 01.03.1951, seniority 05.01.1949 (reld 05.01.1954)
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 24.10.1941 ? [investiture 10.03.42]
Commenced a prenamed apprenticeship in aeronautical engineering at Percival Aircraft Co.
in Luton, 1937.
1938     joined RAFVR and started to learn to fly in 07.1939
02.09.1939     mobilized; after a few weeeks of learning morse code, navigation and basic airmanship he was posted to Marine Court, Hastings where he was given more lessons on navigation, air force procedure and a lot of physical training
04.1940     No. 22 Elementary Flying Training School RAF (Cambridge)
06.1940     No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (Little Rissington)
21.09.1940

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      14 Operational Training Unit RAF (Cottesmore)
12.04.1941     83 Squadron RAF (Scampton) (DFC)
05.01.1949 - 05.01.1954 commissioned, RAFVR (Reconstituted Section) (General Duties Branch)
Gained aviator's licence (No. 20792) at 14.12.1945 after having flown 133 hrs with the RAF. Flew for Shorts until the setting up of the Aeronautical College at Cranfield when he took the post of test pilot until age removed his licence. He then became an HM's Inspector concentrating on aeronautics and with a particular interest history visible from the air.
Robinson,
Henry
H. Robinson
?
-
P/O (prob) 26.10.1940 [87262]
(WS) F/O 08.03.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 08.03.1943 (emgcy list) (reld 10.02.1954; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
Military Medal MM ? ?
26.10.1940

commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
08.03.1941     transferred, RAFVR (Technical Branch)
 
Robinson,
John Peter Guyer
J.P.G. Robinson
Son (with two brothers) of Edward Guyer Robinson (1898-1974), and Winifred Irene Smith (1899-1969), of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
(12?).1922
Shardlow district, Derbyshire / Leicestershire / Nottinghamshire
-
04.07.1945
[age 22]
[Ottawa Memorial, Ontario, Canada, panel 4, column 1]
Ldg.Acm. ? [1815758]
P/O (prob) 08.09.1944 [166454]
(WS) F/O 08.03.1945
Education: Birmingham University (BSc (Hons)).
08.09.1944

commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
A relative writes: "The above was my cousin, I know his plane came down in the Caribbean in July 1945 and his name is on the war memorial in Ottawa. In the newspaper reports at the time it says that the crew were flying low over a wreck, and had been called back to do this after already flying for nine hours that day. His body was never found. He was 22 years old, British and a student at Birmingham University."
Robinson,
Maurice Dixon
M.D. Robinson (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941 [115025]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Robinson,
Patrick John Noble
P.J.N. Robinson
Son of R.Adm. Eric Gascoigne Robinson, VC, OBE, and of Edith Gladys Robinson (née Cordeux), of Langrish, Hampshire.
(09?).1914
Basford district, Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire
-
25.06.1942
(KIA) [age 28]
[Sage War Cemetery, Germany, 1.F.15]
Ldg. Acm. ? [1176945]
P/O (prob) 13.09.1941 [108240]
13.09.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 25.06.1942 observer, 102 Squadron RAF
[his Halifax II bomber [R9446 DY-F] had taken off 22.58 hrs from Topcliffe for an operation against Bremen and was presumed lost over the sea]
Robinson,
William Albert
W.A. Robinson (Photo courtesy of Pat Rayner) W.A. Robinson (Photo courtesy of Pat Rayner)
Son of John Robinson, and Eliza Turner, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
Married ((09?).1939, West Cheshire) Violet Dodd, of Little Sutton, Cheshire; one daughter.
16.08.1916
Wirral district, Cheshire
-
03.04.1943
(KIA) [age 26]
[Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany, collective grave 2.D.20-24]
Sgt. ? [1074702]
P/O (prob) 12.02.1943 [142019]
12.02.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
 ? - 03.04.1943 air gunner, 158 Squadron RAF (Lissett)
[Halifax II DT635 (NP-F) took off 19:42 hrs for an operation over Essen. Crashed near Mönchengladbach where all seven casualties of plane were laid to rest at the Stadtfriedhof. They were reburied at Rheinberg. Up to his last mission his flying time amounted up to 55:55 hrs at day and 105:29 hrs at night.]
Robison,
Owen Hugh
O.H. Robison (Photo courtesy of Mr Hugh Robison)
?
-
Wt.Offr. ? [1394806]
P/O (prob) 13.05.1945 [198310]
(WS) F/O 13.11.1945 (reld 09.12.1946; retaining rank of F/O)
1944 - 1945 65 Squadron RAF
13.05.1945     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Rodgers,
Charles Augustus
C.A. Rodgers
Son of Charles Albert and Elizabeth Florence Rodgers.
Married Doris Florence Winifred Hanneman (06.04.1911 - 10.2006), of Bromley, Kent; two sons.
26.06.1909
Camberwell, London
-
30.10.1942
[age 33]
[Alamein Memorial, Egypt, column 248]
(A) P/O (prob) 14.11.1941 [111599]
P/O (prob) 14.01.1942
(WS) F/O (prob) 24.09.1943, seniority 01.10.1942
14.11.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for administrative and miscellaneous duties) [emergency commission]
Rogers,
William Graham
W.G. Rogers (Photo courtesy of Ms Charlie Graham-Rogers) W.G. Rogers (Photo courtesy of Ms Charlie Graham-Rogers)
Married ((03?).1948, Wokingham district, Berkshire) Joan Oldham (née Eagle), widow of F/O James Wolstenholme Oldham, DFM, RAFVR († 30.07.1944); two daughters.
23.02.1914
-
04.2000
Taunton district, Somerset
Ldg.Acm. ? [1253431]
P/O (prob) 28.03.1942 [118614]
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 28.03.1944
F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 28.09.1945
F/O RAF 03.06.1947, seniority 28.03.1944
F/Lt. RAF 12.07.1948, seniority 28.09.1946 (transferred to reserve 03.06.1951, and called up for air force service) (reverted to reserve 18.09.1951; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military  Division) MBE 02.01.1950 New Year 1950
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 16.01.1945 ?
28.03.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1944)     97 Squadron RAF (DFC)
03.06.1947     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [extended service commission]
12.07.1948     transferred, RAF (Secretarial Branch)
Rogerson,
George Edward
G.E. Rogerson (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
Ldg.Acm. ? [1229353]
(A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 03.10.1941 [115028]
31.12.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]
Rook,
Kenneth Graham
K.G. Rook (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 25.08.1941 [104897]
25.08.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Rosen,
Raymond Arnold
R.A. Rosen (Photo courtesy of Mr Raymond Rosen)
(06?).1918
Steyning district, Sussex
-
01.07.1944
[Poix-de-Picardie Churchyard, Somme, France, row A, grave 10]
Acm. 2nd cl. 10.05.1941 [656165] (under training; air crew)
Ldg.Acm. 01.07.1941 (under training; pilot)
(T) Sgt. 30.01.1942 (pilot)
(T) F/Sgt. 01.04.1943
P/O (prob) 21.05.1943 [149350]
(WS) F/O (prob) 21.11.1943
15.03.1940     enlisted, The Welch Regiment [service number 3967146]
13.06.1940     transferred, The Monmouthshire Regiment
10.05.1941     transferred, RAFVR
21.05.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 01.07.1944 pilot, 10 Squadron RAF
Ross,
David Gordon
"Bill"
M. Ross
Son of Lt. Frederick Gordon Ross, Manchester Regt. (killed in action in France, 1st July, 1916), and of Kathleen Ross, of Warninglid, Sussex.
(09?.)1904
MacClesfield, Cheshire
-
02.05.1942
(KIA) [age 37]
[Cambridge Crematorium, column 2]
(A) P/O (prob)
19.07.1940 [82429]
F/O (prob)
?
F/O
19.07.1941
(A) F/Lt.
?
19.07.1940


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
02.05.1942
65 Squadron RAF
[flying accident *]
* They (F/Lt. D.G. Ross & Sq.Ldr. H.T. Gilbert) took off from Great Sampford, the Debden satellite, having consumed 6-8 bottles each of Benskins Colne Springs beer, according to the licensee of the pub. This info was not revealed until after the Court of Enquiry. The CO tried to borrow a Magister but his flight sergeant, realising that he was in no fit state to fly, told him it was u/s. The CO then took a Spitfire.
Ross,
Douglas Alan Barry
D.A.B. Ross
Married ((12?).1940, Cheltenham district, Gloucestershire) Mrs ... Gray (née Ruston).
?
-

Sgt.
? [741889]
P/O (prob)
01.11.1940, seniority 23.10.1940 [87032]
(WS) F/O
01.11.1941, seniority 23.10.1941
(WS) F/Lt.
01.11.1942, seniority 23.10.1942 (reld 30.11.1945, retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.)
(T) Sq.Ldr.
1944?
01.11.1940


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1941)
 
 
600 Squadron RAF
Ross,
Maurice
M. Ross

Son (with two brothers and one sister) of Edward Lionel Ross (1877-), and Laura May Ross (1882-).
Married Elizabeth Ferrett (16.04.1917 - 12.03.2005); one son, two daughters.
17.08.1910
West Ham district, Essex
-
12.03.2007
Droitwich, Worcester district, Worcestershire
Cpl. ? [1068490]
(A) P/O (prob) 14.01.1942, seniority 16.12.1941 [115891]
P/O (prob) 07.03.1942, seniority 16.02.1942
(WS) F/O (prob) 01.10.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 01.09.1944 (Emgcy List) (retd 17.08.1955; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.)
(A) Sq.Ldr. ?
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) OBE 01.01.1966 New Year 1966
Education: London University (BSc).
14.01.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) (for administrative and miscellaneous duties) [emergency commission]
Principal of Bromsgrove College of Further Education, 1949-1976, and worked for Unesco on secondments in Ethiopia, Dominican republic and the Lebanon.
Ross,
Nicoll Ramsay
"Nicky"
N.R. Ross

01.08.1917
Greenock
-
18.04.2008
Lasswade
Wt.Offr.
? [754544]
P/O (prob)
02.06.1943 [158240]
P/O
02.12.1943
(WS) F/O
02.12.1943
(WS) F/Lt.
02.06.1945
F/O
18.11.1948
F/Lt.
31.03.1951 (reld 18.11.1958)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
29.08.1944
*
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
13.07.1943
**
Air Efficiency Award AEA
?
?
* This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and the successes obtained are a fine testimony to his great skill, courage and resolution. He is a model captain, whose strong sense of, duty, gallantry and resource have set an example of the highest order.
** W/O Ross now on his second tour of operational duty, has
taken part in a large number of operational series. An excellent captain of aircraft, in the face of heavy odds, he has shown courage and determination of a high order, and has secured some excellent photographs.
07.1939
 
 
joined RAFVR
02.1941


40 Squadron RAF
01.1943


103 Squadron RAF
02.06.1943


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
10.1943


617 Squadron RAF
18.11.1948
-
18.11.1958
commissioned, Reconstituted RAFVR (General Duties Branch)
Worked with the Bank of Scotland.
Rouse,
Edward Clive
E.C. Rouse (Photo courtesy of Mrs Diana Davies)
?
-
(A) P/O (prob) 04.08.1941 [108864]
04.08.1941     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
Rowe,
Bernard Joseph
B.J. Rowe (Photo courtesy of Mr Harry D.C.A. Stait-Gardner)
Son (with one sister) of Bernard Oswald Youlden (who changed his last name to Rowe) (1874-1959), and Maria Mercedes Sola y Guardiola (1875-1957).
His sister Mary Mercedes Adel Isabel Rowe married Maj. Harry Alforth Bernard Stait-Gardner.
1903
Barcelona, Spain
-
08.07.1984
Spain
Acm. 2nd cl. ? [1400406]
(A) P/O (prob) 04.03.1942, seniority 07.10.1941 [117911]
P/O (prob) 04.05.1942, seniority 07.12.1941
(WS) F/O ? (reld 08.04.1946; retaining rank of F/Lt.)
(T) F/Lt. ?
04.03.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      served as Intelligence Officer
Rowntree,
John Peter
J.P. Rowntree
Son of John Ernest Rowntree (1897-1967), and Dorothy Pamphilon (1893-1953).
(12?).1920
Paddington district, London
-
10.10.1941
(MPK) [age 20]
[Alamein Memorial, Egypt, column 241]
Sgt. ? [745381]
P/O (prob) 27.07.1940 [82704]
(WS) F/O 27.07.1941
Worked at Martins Bank Ltd.
27.07.1940     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 10.10.1941 203 Squadron RAF [missing, presumed killed whilst flying in Blenheim IV]
Royle,
Vernon
V. Royle
Eldest son of Mr & Mrs J. Royle, of Burnley.
?
-
Sgt.
? [979241]
P/O (prob)
05.04.1943 [144883]
(WS) F/O (prob)
05.010.1943
(WS) F/Lt.
05.04.1945
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC
16.11.1943
* [investiture 11.45]
05.04.1943


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1943)


flight engineer, 10 Squadron RAF
Returned as engineer at Platers & Stampers Burnley post-war.
* On the night of July 27th 1943, P O Royle was detailed as flight engineer of a Halifax bomber for a raid over Hamburg. When crossing the enemy coast his aircraft was attacked by 5 JU88’s and was shot up, the rear gunner being killed and the port outer engine set on fire. The fire was extinguished and the plane carried on. Within 60 miles of the target the bomber flew into heavy AA fire and received a direct hit causing the wing to catch fire. Another direct hit ripped away the front part of the plane killing the bomb-aimer, navigator and wireless operator and severely wounding the pilot. P O Royle pulled the pilot from his seat and although the aircraft was by now practically out of control at 2500 feet high with only two engines serviceable he would not bail out. This gallant officer regained control of the crippled bomber and headed it towards the target a few miles away shouting, according to the words of the mid-upper-gunner who had now come forward to help’, “I’ll prang that target or die in the attempt”. The bombing run was made at 1500 feet P O Royle then headed the plane for the coast flying at tree top height all the way, when about half way across the North Sea the crippled plane was spotted by another homebound bomber which promptly proceeded to act as escort and sent out an SOS. They managed to reach base but P O Royle and a gunner were told it would be suicidal to try and land in their condition. They steadfastly refused to leave the plane however and it crash landed on a runway. P O Royle and his gunner escaped unhurt.
Rudge,
James Charles
J.C. Rudge (Photo courtesy of D.S. Loyd)
Son of ... Rudge, and .... Heath.
Married Joan ...; no children.
18.11.1911
Chiswick, Brentford district, London / Middlesex
-
01.1991
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Ldg.Acm.
? [1808625]
P/O (prob)
11.02.1944 [163978]
(WS) F/O
11.08.1944
(WS) F/Lt.
11.02.1946 (emgcy list) (reld 18.11.1956; retaining rank of F/Lt.)
11.02.1944


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
After leaving the service he continued as before the war as an Ice Skating Instructor and until retirement he taught at Queens Ice Rink, Bayswater Road, London.
Rudolf,
John De Montjoie
J. De M. Rudolf (Photo courtesy of Mr Nicholas Ross)
Son of Edward Arthur De Montjoie Rudolf and Maude Lilian Weterhall Rudolf, of Sidcup. Grandson of Edward De Montjoie Rudolf, founder of the Waifs and Strays (now Children's Society).
Married ((03?).1934, Camberwell district, Surrey) of Violet Vaughan, of Sidcup; three sons, two daughters.
14.06.1912
Bromley district, London
-
14.09.1943
[age 31]
[Sidcup (St John) Churchyard, Kent, row 3, grave 6]
Sgt. ? [1381845]
P/O (prob) 31.01.1942 [123463]
(WS) F/O 01.10.1942
31.01.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 14.09.1943 flying instructor
Rumley,
Cyril Walter
C.W. Rumley
Son of Alonzo Rumley, and Ida L. Linscott.
Married ((12?).1942, Surrey Mid Eastern district) Kathleen I.G. Cook. Kathleen Rumley remarried ((12?).1948) Leslie D. Slater.
(03?).1919
Lambeth district, London
-
12.08.1944
(MPK) [age 25]
[Runnymede Memorial, panel 209]
Wt.Offr. ? [917618]
P/O (prob) 06.07.1943 [156907]
(WS) F/O 06.01.1944
06.07.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
? - 12.08.1944 224 Squadron RAF
[Took off in the evening from St Eval, Cornwall on board a Liberator GRVIE878/C on an anti U-boat patrol. While over the Bay of Biscay, about 25 miles off Pointe de Penmarc'h blew up when fired on in error by the destroyer HMS Onslow.]
Russell,
Huia Francis George Clare
H.F.G.C. Russell H.F.G.C. Russell
Son of George Russell, and Clare Pettitiville.
Married (24.08.1945, Walton, nr Felixstowe, Deben district, Suffolk) Hazel Ruth Revell (03.06.1925 - 2003), daughter of Charles Herbert Revell (1878-1934), and Elsie Alice Hancock (1882-1962); one daughter.
09.02.1920
-
22.02.2001
Ashton-under-Hill, Evesham district, Gloucestershire / Worcestershire
F/Sgt. ? [900833]
P/O (prob) 20.07.1942 [130334]
(WS) F/O (prob) 20.01.1943
(WS) F/Lt. 20.07.1944
Distinguished Flying Cross DFC 08.12.1944 ?
20.07.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
(1944)     218 Squadron RAF (DFC)
 
Russell,
Wilfred Harry
W.H. Russell (Photo courtesy of Mr James Russell)
Married (02.1940, Biggleswade district, Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire) Janet S.M. Wilson; two sons.
01.07.1918
-
06.1990
Sgt. ? [656072]
P/O (prob) 28.05.1942 [125732]
(WS) F/O (prob) 28.11.1942
(WS) F/Lt. 28.05.1944
01.01.1946, seniority 24.05.1945 (with effect from 24.05.1945; forfeiture of seniority)
1939 - 1940 enlisted service in the Army (evacuated from Dunkirk)
28.05.1942     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      102 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF
A newspaper clipping tells the following story: "Following a recent attack on Venlo Aerodrome in Holland [possibly 03.09.1944] an R.A.F. Halifax had a remarkable escape, believed to be unique in the history of flying. After the machine's linkage had been smashed by enemy fire the bomb-aimer held the broken parts together with his hands throughout the 500-mile journey home. The pilot of the aircraft was Flight-Lieut. W. H. Russell. the son of Mr. H. Russell, of School House, Arlesey. He was educated at Bedford Modern School from 1928 to 1935. He then joined Barclays Bank. When war broke out he was on the staff of the Letchworth Branch. and being a member of the R.E. Territorials, he was immediately mobilized and went to France as a dispatch rider at the end of September 1939. In May 1941 he transferred to the R.A.F., and after gaining his "wings", spent two years as an instructor. In February, 1940, he married the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilson, of Hayes, Middlesex, and there are two sons."
Another clipping from the Daily Express 12.09.1944: "Airman was part of engine. Control link to save plane. While a damaged Halifax bomber dived from 17,000 to 7,000 feet the bomb-aimer lay on his stomach and made himself into a human link between the throttle controls and the control rods connecting to the carburettor. He saved the plane. All the way from the target, Venlo airfield in Holland, to an emergency landing station in Britain he held his position. Flak broke the connections and put three of the four engines out of action. "They did not cut out altogether" said the pilot Flight Lieutenant W.H. Russell, of Bedford, "but went back to tick-over speed. Only one engine was any good, and we dived to 10,000ft without any hope of pulling out. I tried to feather one of the engines to find out the cause of the trouble, but it would not feather because of a fuse. The diagnosis. "The flight engineer diagnosed smashed linkage. We had many miles to fly home, and we were losing height all the time. The engineer put up a marvellous show. He prised up the covers guarding the linkage, and working only with a screwdriver and an axe found where three of the four links were smashed. We made a temporary repair of one engine by using the linkage from another component, but even with two engines working we were not out of danger with the Dutch coast still to cross. The bomb-aimer, Flying Officer J.D. Sharp, of Rawdon (Leeds), lay down on the floor, grasped the broken links, and held them all the way back to this country."
Russum,
Kenneth
K. Russum
12.10.1922
-
24.02.2007
Kingham, Oxfordshire
[aged 84]
Wt.Off..
? [1211080]
P/O (prob)
09.09.1944 [189214]
P/O
09.03.1945
(WS) F/O
09.03.1945
F/O
09.09.1945
...
...
W/Cdr.
01.01.1968 (retd 25.03.1977)
Air Force Cross AFC
?
?
09.09.1944


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
15.08.1946


extended service



permanent commission
Rutherford,
Norman Bayne
N.B. Rutherford
Son of George William Ewart Gladstone Rutherford (1886-1955), and Elizabeth Murray Hanlin (1887-1969).
Married (15.06.1938) Anita Ann Delamere Rutherford (1919-1993); one daughter.
16.12.1912
Sydney, NSW, Australia
-
18.09.1944
(KIA) [age 31]
[Becklingen War Cemetery, joint grave 24.B.14]

Sgt.
? [930212]
P/O (prob)
08.06.1941 [68194]
P/O
08.06.1942, seniority 08.06.1941
(WS) F/O
08.06.1942
(WS) F/Lt.
08.06.1943
Air Force Cross AFC
31.03.1944
? [decoration posted to next-of-kin]
08.06.1941


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
18.09.1944
pilot, 627 Squadron RAF
[airborne in Mosquito DZ635 AZ-N at 19.03 hrs from Woodhall Spa for an operation against Bremerhaven; cause of loss not established; crashed 22.10 hrs, four minutes after 57 Squadron Lancaster, at Schiffdorf on the eastern outskirts of Bremerhaven]
Rutherford,
Robert Henry
N.B. Rutherford
Son of Samuel William and Pauline Annie Rutherford.
1923 ?
-
22.07.1943
[age 20]
[Bangor Cemetery, Co. Down, Northern Ireland, section 2H, grave 166]

Ldg.Acm.
? [1479900]
P/O (prob)
06.11.1942 [133718]
(WS) F/O (prob)
06.05.1943
06.11.1942


commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
?
-
22.07.1943
navigator, 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF
[Stirling I bomber W7586 -C took off from Stradishall for a trainig flight, but stalled and crashed at 17:46 hrs while attempting to go round again from a three-engined approach.]
Ryan,
Thomas Davis
"Tommy"
T.D. Ryan (Photo courtesy of Mr Simon Weir) T.D. Ryan (Photo courtesy of Mr Simon Weir)
?
Glasgow
-
F/O 01.04.1943 [140538]
(T) F/Lt. 29.03.1944
F/Lt. 01.03.1955 (reld 19.11.1961)
Education: MA.
01.04.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (Meteorological Branch) [emergency commission]
19.11.1951     commissioned, RAFVR (Reconstituted Section) (Meteorological Branch)
Ryde,
Peter Cecil
P.C. Ryde
Son of Harold Stewart Ryde (1892-1972), and Doris Martin.
Married ((03?).1942, Maidenhead district, Berkshire) Dorothy Lilian Davis, of Maidenhead, Berkshire.
1921 ?
-
21.02.1944
Stratford upon Avon district, Gloucestershire / Warwickshire / Worcestershire
[age 23]
[Balsall Cemetery, Warwickshire, SE corner, row P, grave 3]
F/Sgt. ? [655918]
P/O (prob) 25.01.1943 [141093]
(WS) F/O (prob) 25.07.1943
25.01.1943     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      pilot
Rymer,
Noel
N. Rymer
Son of ... Rymer, and ... Waldon-Carter.
Married ((09?).1946, Warwick district, Warwickshire) Blanche Jewell Padgett (1925 - 2009, daughter (with three sisters) of Fred Padgett (1884-), and Catherine Leonora Wells (1893-1965); two sons.
23.12.1921
Hampstead district, London
-
06.1992
Surrey South-western district, Surrey
Ldg.Acm. ? [1603986]
P/O (prob) 26.03.1944 [150941]
(WS) F/O 26.09.1944
(WS) F/Lt. 26.03.1946
26.03.1944     commissioned, RAFVR (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission]
      355 Squadron RAF (Salbani)
       

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