British officers  |  RAF(VR)  |  home

For detailed biographies of key RAF personnel (Air Commodore and higher) there is already an excellent website: www.rafweb.org
Only RAF officers of ranks below Air Commodore will be shown here in detail. Abbreviations and explanations can be found at the help page.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

N.W. Wadham  to  C.S. Wynne-Eyton

Wadham, Nicholas Wyndham Eldest son of John Charles and Katherine Wadham, of Hyde Park, later Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Married ((03?).1917, Birmingham district, Warwickshire) Barbara S. May, only daughter of Mr & Mrs Morley May, of Brendon, Weston-super-Mare. Married 2nd (21.10.1922, St. John's Church, Smith's Square, Westminster, St George Hanover Square district, London) Agnes Moira Tillie (? - 02.08.1940), of Field House, Buckden, Hampshire. elder daughter of the late WilliamTillie, and Mrs. Tillie, of Elstow, Londonderry; ... children (son Lt. John Mylan Wadham, RA,  was killed in action 23.09.1943).	23.01.1894 Paddington, London - 06.08.1940 Newmarket district, Cambridgeshire [age 46] [Cambridge Crematorium, Dry Drayton, column 2]	... ... Sq.Ldr. 27.02.1929 (retd 10.03.1935; own request)	Education: psa.       Rifle Brigade       RAF
Wake, John Hugh Coulson Son of Edwin Coulson Wake, and Lily Florence ....	04.12.1899 Sidcup, Bromley district, Kent - 20.07.1981 Westbury on Trym, Bristol district, Avon	P/O 01.04.1918 Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1936 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1947 (retd 11.12.1949; own request, retaining rank of Air Cdre.)	Education: Bristol Grammar School; Bristol University; Imperial College of Science (psa).       qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Wakefield, Edgar Wight "Ted" Son of Raymond Edgar Wakefield, of Toronto, Canada. Married (23.03.1940) Jean Huddleston Abney-Hastings, daughter of Reginald Mowbray Chichester Huddleston and Edith Maud Rawdon-Hastings, Countess of Loudoun (marriage dissolved 1949); one daughter.	28.08.1918 Toronto, Ontario, Canada - 1986 Ladner, British Columbia, Canada	(A) P/O (prob) 15.04.1939 [41967] (commission terminated on cessation of duty 10.10.1939)	15.04.1939 - 10.10.1939 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]
Wakeford, [Sir] Richard Gordon	20.04.1922 - 13.02.2007 Fochabers Moray	P/O 07.03.1942 ... ... Air Marshal 01.07.1975 (retd 31.03.1978)	1941 joined RAF 1942 - 1945 flying Catalina flying boats, Coastal Command, operating out of India, Scotland, N Ireland 1945 - 1947 flying Liberator and York transport aircraft on overseas routes ... - ... ...
Wales, Jack Bertram	08.01.1917 Ashton under Lyne - 07.12.1956	Army: 2nd Lt. 26.02.1936 Lt. 26.02.1939 (reld 07.09.1940) RAF: P/O 07.09.1940 [44516] (WS) F/O 07.09.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 07.09.1942 (reld 26.03.1947; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.) (T) Sq.Ldr. ? F/O RAuxAF 26.03.1947, seniority 21.01.1947 F/Lt. RAuxAF 17.05.1949 Sq.Ldr. RAuxAF 19.01.1951, seniority 17.05.1949 OBE 01.01.1952 New Year 52 DFC 13.09.1944 Burma, 2nd half 43 TD 03.10.1950 & 1st Clasp EM 03.09.1948 ?	26.02.1936 commissioned, 9th Battalion The Manchester Regiment (Territorial Army) 24.08.1939 mobilized TA 07.09.1940 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [temporary commission] (1943) 28 Squadron RAF (Burma) 26.03.1947 commissioned, RAuxAF (General Duties Branch) 17.05.1949 Commanding Officer, No. 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron RAuxAF Crashed with an Avro Shackleton MR Mk 3 aircraft (WR970) as an Avro senior production test pilot at Foolow, Derby, 07.12.1956.
Walker, Reginald Geoffrey Miles	30.06.1917 - 04.09.1998 Gloucester, Gloucestershire	(A) P/O (prob) 08.06.1936 [37990] P/O 08.06.1937 F/O 08.01.1939 F/Lt. 03.09.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 22.05.1944 Sq.Ldr. 25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1944 Sq.Ldr. 18.12.1948, seniority 01.08.1947 (retd 30.06.1966; retaining rank of W/Cdr.) (T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1944-01.11.1947 DFC 30.01.1942 ?	08.06.1936 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 08.06.1942     transferred to Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) spent most of his time in the Mediterranean flying from Malta on photo reconnaissance missions (No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF) 244 Squadron RAF (Middle East) 23.01.1946 extended service commission 18.12.1948 permanent commission 21.02.1949 transferred, Secretarial Branch
Wallis, Geoffrey	? -	Wt.Offr. ? [362225] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 20.10.1941 [47635]	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]
Wallis, John Beresford Martin Married 1st Helen Laila ... Married 2nd Phyllis Eileen ...	26.05.1905 - 19.04.1974 South Africa	P/O 16.12.1925 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 A/Cdre. 01.01.1952 (retd 29.06.1957)	Education: psa.
Walter, Ernest Luis Acton Son of ... Walter, and ... Collins. Married Agnes Braybrooke (1908-1989).	11.01.1912 Wandsworth district, Greater London - 02.09.1988 Stables Enstone, West Oxfordshire district, Oxfordshire	(A) P/O (prob) 02.09.1932 [32237] P/O (prob) 02.09.1933 P/O 28.11.1933 F/O 02.04.1935 F/Lt. 02.04.1937 (T) Sq.Ldr. 16.10.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 25.05.1942 Sq.Ldr. 26.03.1946, seniority 01.09.1945 25.02.1947, seniority 01.01.1941 (A) W/Cdr. (1943) (T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1944 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947, seniority 01.10.1946 (retd 28.02.1957; own request) DFC 08.01.1943 * AFC 01.01.1941 ? MID 01.01.1946 ? Bur St - - * During the past 3 months Wing Commander Walter has taken part in many operational sorties. In November, 1942, he led an attack from low level against enemy shipping off Akyab. In the face of strong opposition from anti-aircraft defences and enemy fighters direct hits were obtained on 2 enemy vessels. This officer's skill and courage under difficult and hazardous circumstances have been an inspiration to all.	Education: Dover College. 02.09.1932 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 02.09.1932     short disciplinary course, RAF Depot Uxbridge 17.09.1932     flying training, No. 5 Flying Training School (Sealand) 28.08.1933     56 (Fighter) Squadron RAF (North Weald) 14.03.1935     39 (Bomber) Squadron RAF (Risalpur, India) 02.09.1938 transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class A) 01.09.1939     mobilized RAFO 07.1942 - 12.1942 Commanding Officer, 113 Squadron RAF 10.1945 - 09.1946 Commanding Officer, 24 Squadron RAF 26.03.1946     permanent commission, RAF (General Duties Branch)
Walter, Cyril	06.01.1900 Wandsworth district, London - (03.).1967 Chelmsford district, Essex	Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 W/Cdr. ? (T) Gp.Capt. 01.12.1941 (retd 08.03.1946) OBE ? ?	01.04.1918     first commission RAF
Walters, W E		F/O ?	(07.1942)     Commanding Officer, HSL 138
Warburton, James	? -	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937	qualified by examination as interpreter
Ward, Ellacott Lyne Stephens	22.08.1905 Plymouth, Devon - 02.10.1991 Bournemouth, Hampshire (formerly of Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset)	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1947	qualified at specialist engineering course; completed satisfactorily a course at the Military or Naval Staff College
Ward, John Maxwell	12.04.1909 Newcastle upon Tyne district, Northumberland - 17.06.1986 Fetcham, Surrey Mid-Eastern district, Surrey	Wt.Offr. ? [515109] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 17.10.1941 [48338]	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]
Wardlaw, John Millar Had four sisters & two brothers.	24.09.1920 Linlithgow, Scotland - 14.01.1948 [Ohlsdorf Military Cemetery, near Hamburg, Germany]	Acm. 29.07.1936 [591118] F/Sgt. 31.12.1943 P/O (prob) 16.04.1944 [55149] P/O 16.10.1944 (WS) F/O 16.10.1944 F/O 25.02.1947, seniority 16.04.1945 (WS) F/Lt. 16.04.1946 F/Lt. 16.10.1947 MID 02.06.1943 ?	29.07.1936     enlisted RAF (1943)     18 Group RAF (Donibristle) 16.04.1944     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission to 21.08.1946]       No. 4 British Flying Training School (Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, USA) 07.10.1944     glider pilot training, 23 Group, No. 5 Glider Training School 22.08.1946     extended service commission 06.06.1947     supply fighter pilot for BAFO Area 84 12.06.1947     pilot, 33 Squadron RAF 14.06.1947 - 14.01.1948 pliot, 3 (F) Squadron RAF (killed as a result of an air to ground firing exercise; his aircraft, a Tempest Mk V [SN339],  crashed into Lubeck Bay; the court of inquiry lists several possible causes: pilot's error, ricochet from own tanks firing in area or misfire of own cannon shells)
Washington, George	? - 13.10.1941 (MPK) [Alamein Memorial, Egypt, column 241]	(A) P/O (prob) 10.06.1939 [42287] P/O (prob) 16.12.1939 P/O 17.04.1940 (WS) F/O 16.12.1940	10.06.1939     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 13.10.1941 203 Squadron RAF
Watkins, Douglas Herbert "Dirty" Married & moved to Dunsford, Devon.	(01?).1913 Heswall, Birkenhead district, Cheshire - 23.03.1969 Dunsford, Exeter district, Devon	P/O 26.08.1939 [90363] F/O 21.09.1939 F/Lt. 21.09.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. ? (WS) Sq.Ldr. 26.12.1943 Sq.Ldr. ? (reld 10.02.1958, retaining the rank of W/Cdr.) DFC ? ?	26.08.1939 first commission, Auxiliary Air Force (General Duties Branch) 26.08.1939 - 16.11.1941 pilot, 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AuxAF 17.11.1941 - 12.09.1942 Commanding Officer, 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron AuxAF [flew cover operations during the raid on Dieppe 08.1942] 21.08.1940 11.10.1940   1½ victories: ½ Do 17 1 Do 17 Became a founding member of the Devon Cricket Umpires Society and was made Honorary Secretary & Treasurer. Acting Secretary of Devon County Cricket Club and during the 1968 Annual General Meeting he was elected Secretary.
Watts, Peter Harris Son (with one brother) of P.J. Watts, and ... Harris, of Morecambe.	06.12.1920 Lancaster district, Lancashire - 15.06.1941 (MPK) [age 20] [Runnymede Memorial, panel 30]	(A) P/O (prob) 15.04.1939, with effect from 06.02.1939 [41970] P/O (prob) 06.11.1939 P/O 06.02.1940 F/O 06.11.1940 39|45 St - - AC Eur St - - WM 39|45 - -	06.02.1939 - 14.04.1939 Civil Flying School Prestwick 15.04.1939     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 15.04.1939 - 28.04.1939 No. 1 Depot RAF 29.04.1939 - 05.11.1939 2 Flying Training School RAF 06.11.1939 - 02.01.1940 School of Army Co-operation, Old Sarum 03.01.1940 - 10.02.1940 RAF Station, Andover 11.02.1940 - 23.10.1940 2 Squadron RAF, Component Field Force, British Expeditionary Force 24.10.1940 - 15.02.1941 268 Squadron RAF (Bury St Edmunds) 16.02.1941 - 21.02.1941 15 Operation Training Unit RAF (Harwell) 22.02.1941 - 08.06.1941 17 Operation Training Unit RAF (Upwood) 09.06.1941 - 15.06.1941 105 Squadron RAF (Swanton Morley) [Blenheim V6319 [GB-F] was airborne 18:44 hrs to patrol Beat 10. Shot down 19:50 hrs while attacking a flotilla of 10 E-Boats off Scheveningen. F/O Watts has no known grave, but his crew are buried at Hoek van Holland. F/O P.H. Watts KIA F/S D.D. Milroy KIA Sgt P.B. Murray KIA .]
Way, Stanley Douglas "Ron"	09.06.1911 Aberdare, Glamorgan - 07.1997 Ealing, London	F/Sgt. ? [561225] P/O (prob) 05.06.1941 [45976] ... ... F/Lt. 01.01.1947, seniority 01.09.1945 Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1947 (retd 01.01.1956) OBE 01.01.1946 New Year 46	05.06.1941     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission to 31.12.1946] 01.01.1947     extended service commission, RAF (Technical Branch, later Engineering Branch)
Webb, Eric Bingham Younger son of Lt.Col. George Ambrose Congreve Webb, DSO, and Hilda Dynely Schreiber, of Hythe, Kent.	26.09.1905 [Cork?], Ireland - 02.04.1942 (KIA) [age 37] [Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles France, row 5, collective grave 31-34]	Flight Cadet 18.01.1924 P/O 16.12.1925 [16212] F/O 16.06.1927 F/Lt. 06.05.1931 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940 (T) Gp.Capt. 01.06.1942	Education: Warden House Preparatory School, Deal; The College Storrington and Wellington College; RAF Cadet College, Cranwell 18.01.1924 - 16.12.1925 "A" Squadron, RAF Cadet College, Cranwell (won the Sword of Honour) 16.12.1925 first commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 23.09.1941 - 02.04.1942 Commanding Officer, RAF Station Snaith, Yorkshire 02.04.1942   was killed in action while flying an operation (as Pilot) with 150 Squadron RAF against Poissy, France; his Wellington IC bomber [X9814 JN-O] crashed near Villacoublay, Paris
Weir, Archibald Graham Married Mary E.O. ...; ... children (F/O Archibald Nigel Charles Weir, DFC, RAFVR (killed in action over the Channel 07.11.1940) and Maj. Adrian John Anthony Weir, Scots Guards (killed in action at Anzio 28.02.1944).	11.07.1885 Enfield, Edmonton district, Essex - 01.05.1941 lost at sea	Sq.Ldr. (retd) 01.07.1925	qualified at university course in meteorology
Wellings, Donald Maitland Younger son of T/Maj. Evelyn Valentine Wellings, RASC (1880-1958), of Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey. Married (06.09.1941) Stella Villiers-Stuart (born 25.03.1918), formerly Assistant SO WAAF, younger daughter of Col. John Patrick Villiers-Stuart, CB, DSO, OBE (1879-1958) and Phyllis Mary Read (1895?-1933), of Upper Ostaig, Skye; one son. Stella Wellings re-married Lt.Col. Anthony Hamilton Gerald Barton, MC, RA.	(09?).1913 Warwick district, Warwickshire - 09.10.1944 (KIA) [age 31] [Barneveld (Voorthuizen) General Cemetery, The Netherlands, grave 122]	(A) P/O (prob) 04.03.1939 [41762] P/O (prob) 02.10.1939 P/O 06.02.1940 F/O 02.10.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 02.10.1941 (A) Sq.Ldr.  (1942) DFC 22.10.1940 ? MID 11.06.1942 ?	04.03.1939     commissioned RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 18.05.1940 101 Squadron RAF (02.12.1939-... detached to AOS Prestwick for flying duties) 18.05.1940     82 Squadron RAF 06.02.1943     transferred to reserve (and called up for Air Force duty) 07.07.1943     member of the court of inquiry into the aircraft crash resulting in the death of Polish General Sikorski ? - 09.10.1944 613 Squadron RAF [his Mosquito VI [HR362] crashed at the Hunneweg at Voorthuizen due to hitting an electricity cable]
Wells, John Patrick Son of John D. Wells (1890-1960), and Elizabeth Mary Tremlett (1890-1950). Married 1st ((12?).1939, Canterbury district, Kent) Pamela Margaret Joy (30.08.1916 - 21.06.2006), daughter (with one brother) of Percy Claud Joy (1867-1922), and Eleanor Muriel Patterson (1889-1982); two sons. Married 2nd (1950, Canterbury district, Kent) Susan Mabel Christian "Betty" Ramsay (26.09.1908 - 10.08.1964), daughter (with three sisters and three brothers) of Robert Christian Ramsay (1861-1957), and Olive Zillah Voss (1886-1957).	(12?).1912 Romford district, Essex - 14.08.1964 Nairobi, Kenya (formerly of Kiambu, Kenya) [Died as a result of self-inflicted gunshot wounds following a murder/suicide action four days earlier in which he killed his wife Betty as she slept in their home on their Kiambu coffee plantation]	(A) P/O (prob) 23.03.1936 [37702] P/O 27.01.1937 F/O 27.10.1938 F/Lt. 03.09.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1941 (reld 13.10.1957; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.) MID 08.06.1944 ?	23.03.1936     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 27.01.1942     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) 1942 - 1943 instructor, Edinburgh
Wells, William George Married ...; ... children.	27.05.1914 - (09?).1973 Braintree district, Essex	(A) P/O (prob) 14.09.1934 [34255] P/O 14.09.1935 F/O 14.04.1937 (A) F/Lt. 23.04.1938 F/Lt. 14.04.1939 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1940 (T) W/Cdr. 01.12.1941 (WS) W/Cdr. 10.10.1944 (reld 27.05.1959; retaining rank of Gp.Capt.) DSO 12.03.1943 ? MID 13.06.1946 HM's birthday 46	14.09.1934     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 14.09.1940     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service)
Wellum, Geoffrey Harry Augustus Married; three children.	04.08.1921 Walthamstow, Essex - Mullion, Cornwall	(A) P/O (prob) 23.10.1939 [42925] P/O (prob) 20.05.1940 P/O 14.08.1940 (WS) F/O 20.05.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 20.05.1942 F/Lt. 01.07.1946, seniority 01.09.1945 (retd 30.06.1961; retaining the rank of Sq.Ldr.) DFC 05.08.1941 * * This officer has been with his squadron since the evacuation from Dunkirk. During the recent offensive operations over France he has led his section and flight.with great skill and determination. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged several others.	Education: Forest School 23.10.1939 first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 10.1939 - 05.1940 training 21.05.1940 - 08.1941 92 Squadron RAF (Northolt) 08.1941 - 03.1942 instructor, 52 Officer Training Unit (Aston Down) 03.1942 - Flight Commander, 65 Squadron RAF (Debden & Malta) test pilot on Typhoons at Gloster Aircraft gunnery instructor 01.07.1946 permanent commission staff officer in Germany Commodities broker, London. Published: First light (2002; memoir)
West, Hamish Son of David West (1868-1936), artist, and Jessie Garden Shiach Christie (1883-1974). Married Ann West (née ....); one daughter, one son.	15.02.1914 - 17.02.1993 Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire	(A) P/O (prob) 24.03.1933 [34058] P/O 24.03.1934 F/O 24.09.1935 F/Lt. 24.09.1937 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1940 Sq.Ldr. 09.08.1947, seniority 01.09.1945 (A) Wg.Cdr. ? (reld 01.07.1953, retaining the rank of Wg.Cdr.)	24.03.1933 first commission RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] (07.1940) - 08.09.1940 Commanding Officer, 41 Squadron RAF (Hornchurch, then Catterick) 08.09.1940 - ? Commanding Officer, 151 Squadron RAF 24.03.1944 - 01.07.1953 transferred to RAF Reserve of Officers (and called up for air force service) (extension of service for 5 years w.e.f. 30.06.1952)
Westaway, Leslie Gordon	22.09.1907 Portsmouth district, Hampshire - 03.1999 Bridlington district, Yorkshire	F/Sgt. ? [363761] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 28.10.1941 [47866]	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]
Wharfe, Thomas Charles Married ...; ... children (son Sgt. Arthur Thomas Wharfe, RAF, was killed during the air test of a Halifax on 21.07.1942 near Catterton, Tadcaster).	1889 Bermondsey, London -	Wt.Offr. ? F/O (prob) 04.09.1937 [31133] F/O 04.09.1938 F/Lt. 04.09.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1942-01.11.1947	04.09.1937     commissioned, RAF (Equipment Branch) ? - ? ? A relative writes: "He deserted a a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery in India in 1912 [declared deserter 31,03,1912]. He enlised in NZ RFA in 1914, and admitted to deserting just forfeiting pay during absence and deduction for missing kit!. Returned to UK and western front with NZ RFA. Moved to the RAF after WW1 or RFC during WW1."
Wheeler, Albert Edward Son of Augustus and Matilda Wheeler. Married ((09?).1931, Chester district, Cheshire) Doris Haddock Potts, of Chester.	1911 ? - 20.03.1943 [age 32] [Birkenhead (Landican) Crematorium, Cheshire]	Wt.Offr. ? [590017] P/O (prob) 15.10.1942 [50363] F/O ? DFC 25.07.1941 ?	(1941)     210 Squadron RAF (DFC) 01.01.1942     4 Operational Training Unit RAF 17.06.1942 - 14.10.1942 RAF College, Cranwell 15.10.1942     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] 20.03.1943     15:30 hrs approx. In the course of this afternoon, two aircraft, one a Wellington from Lichfield and one an Oxford from Cranwell, crashed after hitting balloon cables at Crewe. All the occupants 8 from the Wellington and 4 from the Oxford, were killed.
Wheeler, Allen Henry Son (with four sisters and three brothers) of James Volant Wheeler (1861-1939), and Sybil Grace Tyrwhitt (1866-1962), of Bitterley Court, Ludlow, Salop. Married 1st (06.1934, Tenbury district, Worcestershire; divorced 1948) Ruth Margaret Ballard (20.11.1909 - 11.2003), daughter of George Ballard, of The Lowe, Stockton, Worcestershire; two daughters. Married 2nd ((09?).1949, Westminster district, London) Barbara Agnes Slade (09.07.1916 - 20.04.2005), daughter of Basil Slade, of Whistley Bridge House, nr Twyford, Berkshire.	27.09.1903 Bitterley, Ludlow district, Shropshire - 01.01.1984 Reading district, Berkshire	P/O 17.01.1925, seniority 17.01.1924 [05109] F/O 17.07.1925 F/Lt. 14.05.1930 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940 (T) Gp.Capt. 01.03.1942 (A) A/Cdre. 24.10.1944? Gp.Capt. 01.10.1946 A/Cdre. 01.01.1951 (retd 05.05.1955) CBE 01.01.1955 New Year 1955 OBE 01.01.1945 New Year 1945 MID 01.01.1941 New Year 1941 MID 14.01.1944 ? VK 31.07.1945 ?	Education: Eton; Trinity College, Cambridge University (Ba 1924; MA 1928); psa.. FRAeS. ... - ... ...       qualified at specialist engineering course 31.12.1938     Air Staff, HQ No 6 (Auxiliary) Group RAF 01.03.1940     Officer Commanding, Performance Testing Squadron, Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A & A E E) RAF 01.03.1942     Officer Commanding, Experimental Flying Section, Royal Aircraft Establishement (RAE) Farnborough 23.02.1944     Officer Commanding, RAF Station Fairford 24.10.1944     Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO), HQ Base Air Forces, South East Asia ... - ... ... Published: That nothing failed them : testing aeroplanes in war (1963); Building aeroplanes for "Those magnificent men" (1965); Flying between the wars (1972).
Wheeler, Eric Donald Son (with two sisters and one brother) of Henry Gould Wheeler (1883-1944), and Lilian Millicent Walter (1886-1946). Married ((06?).1931, Bournemouth district, Dorset) Marjorie Gladys Joyce Revell (07.05.1910 - 01.2002), daughter (with one brother and three sisters) of Clifford John Revell (1885-1959), and Laura Kate Stone (1886-1977); one son. Last address: 47, Corhampton Road, Bournemouth, Hampshire	12.04.1911 Bournemouth, Christchurch district, Hampshire - 06.11.1949 Swindon district, Wiltshire (formerly of Bournemouth, Hampshire) (died of cancer in his late 30's)	Sgt. ? [977620] (A) P/O (prob)  31.08.1944 [182459] F/O 01.11.1947, seniority 26.10.1946 F/Lt. 01.01.1949	31.08.1944 commissioned, RAFVR - Administrative and Special Duties Branch [emergency commission] 18.01.1945 transferred to Provost Branch - RAF (as a Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal) 01.01.1948 short service commission ? - 06.11.1949 Assistant to the Provost Marshal (RAF Pershore)
Wheeler, Vashon James "Pop" Son of James Volant Wheeler, and of Sybil Grace Wheeler (née Tyrrwhit). Husband of Josephine Hermione Wheeler (née Spencer-Phillips), of Clee Stanton, Shropshire.	16.09.1898 Ludlow, Bridgnorth district, Shropshire - 23.03.1944 [Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany, 9.D.6]	P/O ? [76594] W/Cdr. ? MC and Bar, DFC and Bar. Order of St. Stanislaus (Russia).	29.12.1942 - 08.1943 Commanding Officer, 157 Squadron RAF 26.02.1944 - 23.03.1944 Commanding Officer, 207 Squadron RAF [killed in action during a raid on Hamburg]
Whitehead, Roy Valentine Son (with one borther and one sister) of Ambrose Smith Valentine Whitehead (1867-1937), and Elizabeth Williams (1886-1964). Married ((06?).1942, Oxford district, Oxfordshire) of Joan Mary Jones ((06?).1914 - (03?).1950), of Oxford; one son.	08.01.1913 Portsmouth district, Hampshire - 30.03.1943 Ploughley district, Oxfordshire [age 30] [Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, 23.B.13]	(A) P/O (prob) 20.08.1938 [41086] P/O (prob) 27.06.1939 (WS) F/O 03.09.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 03.09.1941 DFC 23.12.1941 ?	Education: Wesleyan School, Brightlingsea; Colchester Royal Grammar School (09.1924-06.1930). Worked for Stanford & Son, auctioneers and estate agents in Colchester. 20.08.1938     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 30.03.1943 RAE Farnborough [An accident involving three people and two aircraft occurred today. Sq.Ldr Whitehead (R.A.E. Farnborough) having taken off to return to his Station crashed on 542 Squadron dispersal, with the result that F/Lt B.J. McMaster DFC (Officer Commanding "B" Flight, 542 Squadron) and LAC Bedford together with Sq.Ldr. Whitehead, were all killed. The aircraft was burnt out. An aircraft of 542 Squadron standing at dispersal was slightly burnt.]
Whitehouse, Noel Vincent Blundell "Peter" Son (with one sister) of Henry William Arthur Smith Whitehouse (1872-1959), and Martha Florence Ethel Wells (1882-1962). Married ((12?).1942, Kettering, Northamptonshire) Grace Wallis Hall (19.02.1916 - 10.1989); one daughter.	(03?).1916 Leicester district, Leicestershire - 08.08.1944 [age 28] [Evington (St Denys) Churchyard, Leicestershire]	2nd Lt. 16.11.1938 [78615] P/O 19.04.1941 [45610] (WS) F/O 19.04.1942 (A?) Sq.Ldr. ?	16.11.1938     commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery - Supplementary Reserve of Officers 04.11.1939     transferred, Corps of Royal Engineers - Supplementary Reserve of Officers 19.04.1941     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [temporary commission] (06.1944)     personal pilot of General Officer Commanding, 1st Airborne Division ? - 08.08.1944 attached No. 17 Service Flying Training School RAF [Wireless operator in plane Oxford II R6389 which crashed near Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The aircraft lost engine nacelle fairing, dived in Pytchley Lodge.]
Whitle, Robert Cecil	28.07.1902 Darlington, Durham, Yorkshire - 19.06.1981 Rustington, Worthing district, West Sussex	Sq.Ldr. RAFO 06.09.1939
Whittle, Humphrey Montagu Married Margret Macfarlane.	18.08.1899 Chorley district, Lancashire - 25.10.1942 (KIA) [age 43] [Torquay Cemetery and Extension, sec. M.X, grave 15187]	Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 Gp.Capt. ?	151 Squadron RAF, transferred to No. 1 R.A.F. Depot, Uxbridge
Whittlesey, William Thomas "Bill" Married.	27.05.1917 March, Cambridgeshire - 07.11.2006 Chatteris, Cambridgeshire	AC 2nd cl. ? [590853] Cpl. ? F/Sgt. ? W/O ? P/O (prob) 02.12.1943 [53667] P/O 02.06.1944 (WS) F/O 02.06.1944 (reld 20.10.1945; on account of medical unfitness for Air Force service; retaining the rank of F/Lt.) (T) F/Lt. ?	25.04.1934 enlisted RAF (served in the ranks) 1940? - 1941 "B" Flight, 113 Squadron RAF (Heliopolis, Egypt) mid 1942 returned to the UK 1942 - 1945 driving instructor, RAF Blakehill Farm, Gloucestershire [very seriously injured on his motorcycle after being accidently run over by a tank transporter with tank on Birdlip Hill, Gloucs] 02.12.1943 first commission RAF (Administrative and Special Duties Branch) [emergency commission] Returned home to Cambridgeshire and retrained as a teacher. Retired 1977.
Wigglesworth, Cecil George Second son of late George Wigglesworth, BA, BSc. Married Margaret Cade, youngest daughter of late Cade Bemrose, Derby; one son, one daughter.	12.10.1893 - 08.08.1961	Gp.Capt. 01.12.1943 (A) A/Cdre. 1943?	Education: Chesterfield; London Served European War, 1914-1918, with RNAS and RAF Inter­Allied Aeronautical Commission of Control (Germany), 1919-1921; Army of Occupation, Constantinople, 1922-1923; RAF Far East Flight, 1927-1929, Coastal Command, HQ (Air Staff), 1931-1933; Commanding Officer, 201 Squadron RAF, 1933-1935; Air Ministry (Operational Requirements), 1935-1939 01.1939 - 1940 Commanding Officer, 209 Squadron RAF 06.1940 Commanding Officer, RAF Silloth 18.04.1941 Staff, Directorate of Operations (Naval Co-operation) 20.09.1943 - 1944 Air Officer Commanding, RAF Iceland 08.02.1945 - 1949 Air Attaché, Ankara (Turkey)
Wigglesworth, [Sir] Horace Ernest Philip	11.07.1896 - 31.05.1975	F/Lt. 01.08.1919, seniority 01.04.1918 ... ... (A) Air Marshal 15.10.1944 Air Marshal 06.05.1948 (retd 07.05.1948)	see biography at rafweb.org
Wigley, John Gilbert	10.04.1905 Walsall district, Staffordshire - 01.03.1978 Surrey Mid Eastern district, Surrey [Brookwood Cemetery]	P/O (prob) 02.06.1930 [21204] P/O 02.06.1931 F/O 02.06.1931 F/Lt. 02.06.1937 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1940 (WS Sq.Ldr. 23.08.1943 Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1946 25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1945 (T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1944 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1953 MID 01.01.1945 ?	02.06.1930 commissioned, RAF (Accountant Branch, later: Secretarial Branch) 11.08.1930 RAF MT Depot, Shrewsbury 06.10.1930 No. 2 Flying Training School, Digby 16.07.1936 HQ Bomber Command, Uxbridge 30.07.1936     RAF Station, Finningley served Fighter Command, D-Day landings, liberation of Belsen served Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) AACCA, ACCS
Wilcock, Clifford Arthur Bowman Son of Arthur and Alice Wilcock.	28.04.1896 Southwark, Luton district, Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire - 14.01.1962 Westminster district, London	Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1935 (retd 05.09.1938) (WS) W/Cdr. 21.02.1942 (A) Gp.Capt. ? OBE 1944 ? AFC 1940 ?	01.04.1918     commissioned, RAF 04.09.1939 - 26.01.1946 recalled
Wild, Alfred James	? -	Wt.Offr. (Signals) ? F/O (prob) 23.06.1939 [35294] F/O 23.06.1940 (A) F/Lt. (1940) (T) F/Lt. 16.04.1943, seniority 01.12.1941 (WS) F/Lt. 23.06.1942, seniority 12.06.1942 28.05.1943, seniority 14.12.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1943, seniority 01.12.1941 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 14.01.1944, seniority 17.12.1942 Sq.Ldr. 01.10.1946 25.02.1947, seniority 01.06.1945 (T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1944 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947 (retd 06.07.1957; own request) OBE 31.05.1956 HM's birthday 56 MID 01.01.1941 ?	23.06.1939     commissioned, RAF (Technical Duties Branch) ... - ... ... (1948)     RAF Hemswell 1956     RAF Honington (for technical duties)
Willetts, Alfred Henry Second son of Mr & Mrs A.J. Willetts. Married ((06?).1931, Havant district, Hampshire) Nancy Hughes Whatley, elder daughter of Mr & Mrs W. Hughes Whatley, of Emsworth, Hampshire.	08.05.1904 Southwark district, Greater London - 21.07.1971 Pollensa, Mallorca, Spain	F/Cadet ? P/O 16.05.1925 [16163] F/O 16.11.1926 F/Lt. 09.07.1930 Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937 W/Cdr. 01.03.1940 (retd 24.01.1946; retaining rank of Gp.Capt.) (A) Gp.Capt. 1941? (T) Gp.Capt. 01.03.1942 DSO 03.04.1942 Vaagso raid * GeoI 29.12.1942 ? BSM 24.01.1947 ? * This officer is air adviser to the Chief of Combined Operations. He took part in the successful raid on Vaagso carried out by the three Services on the 27th December, 1941, and was responsible for the organisation of the air plan adopted for this combined operation. Group Captain Willetts flew in the leading Hampden bomber and much of the success which attended the operation may be attributed to his skill and devotion to duty.	Education: RAF Cadet College, Cranwell; qualified at specialist engineering course (psa). 16.05.1925     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 05.11.1941 - (1942) Assistant Advisor on Combined Operations (Air) to Chief of Combined Operations 01.07.1943 - 24.08.1943 Station Commander, RAF Oakington (captured while going along on a Pathfinder mission of No. 7 Squadron RAF over Berlin) 24.08.1943 - 1945? POW in German captivity
Williams, Ernest Leslie	24.06.1910 Portsmouth district, Hampshire - 20.03.1979 Hamble, Southampton district, Hampshire	F/Sgt. ? [366233] P/O (prob) 10.06.1940, seniority 30.05.1940 [44375] P/O 10.06.1941, seniority 30.05.1940 (WS) F/O 10.06.1941, seniority 30.05.1941 (A) F/Lt. (1942) (WS) F/Lt. 06.06.1943 F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.03.1945 (retd 09.01.1948; own request; retaining rank of Sq.Ldr.) (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.01.1946 to 01.11.1947 GM 08.06.1942 rescue work aircraft accident Malta 03.42 * * One night in March, 1942, two aircraft, carrying bombs, collided on an aerodrome in Malta and burst into flames. [Acting] Squadron Leader [Robert] Hill [MB, ChB, RAFVR] (the station medical officer), Flight Lieutenant Williams and Leading Aircraftmen [Cyril John] Boarman and [Hyman] Sumray immediately proceeded to the scene. Shortly afterwards the bombs began to explode and enemy aircraft began to bomb the area. Despite the great danger, Squadron Leader Hill, assisted by Flight Lieutenant Williams and the two airmen, successfully extricated four members of the crews from the wreckage. The prompt and gallant action of these officers and airmen undoubtedly saved the four lives. Squadron Leader Hill has invariably performed exemplary work in dealing with casualties during heavy bombing raids and both he and Flight Lieutenant Williams have set a magnificent example which has done much to maintain a high standard of morale on the station. The bravery shown by Leading Aircraftmen Boarman and Sumray has been an inspiration to others.	10.06.1940     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission] (03.1942)     serving at Malta serving at some point with B Flight, 10 Squadron RAF 01.11.1947     permanent commission
Williams, Francis George Maxwell Married ... Wallace; ... children (one daughter, one son [F/O John Stewart Maxwell Williams, RAFVR] ?).	23.12.1887 Calcutta, India - 24.01.1961 Nairobi, Kenya	2nd Lt. (prob) 15.09.1915 2nd Lt. 10.11.1915 ... ... W/Cdr. 01.07.1931 Gp.Capt. 01.11.1938 (retd 16.08.1946)	Education: psa. 15.09.1915     commissioned, Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing) - Special Reserve of Officers 23.10.1915     Assistant Equipment Officer ?     Equipment Officer, 3rd Class 23.02.1917     Equipment Officer, 2nd Class 01.04.1918     commissioned, RAF (Stores Branch, later Equipment Branch) ? - 31.12.1921 British Naval Mission, Greece 31.12.1921 - 01.03.1922 RAF Depot (Inland Area) (supernumerary) 02.01.1922     permanent commission 01.03.1922     HQ 10 Group RAF (Coastal Area) 14.11.1928     HQ 21 Group RAF (West Drayton) 20.12.1931     HQ 23 Group RAF (Grantham) 27.10.1934     Aircraft Depot, India (Karachi) 01.05.1939 - (10.1940) Deputy Director, Deputy Directorate of Equipment (6) [= No. 3 Branch], Department of the Air Member for Supply and Organisation, Air Ministry
Williams, George Frederick	? -	Cpl. ? [526406] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 20.10.1941 [47633]	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]
Williams, George Gilbert Algernon His daughter Elizabeth Kathleen Williams married (1949) Capt. Sir Hugh Fitzgerald Arbuthnot, 7th Bt.	10.08.1888 Market Bosworth, Leicestershire - 13.11.1965 Long Sutton, Langport, Bridgwater district, Somerset	Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1918 (retd 10.08.1933)	01.04.1918     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch)       qualified at specialist engineering course 26.08.1939 - 31.10.1940 recalled to service
Williams, Herbert Edward	? -	Wt.Offr. ? [358182] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 17.10.1941 [47634] P/O (prob) 04.03.1942 F/O 04.03.1943? (T) F/Lt. 01.07.1943, seniority 01.01.1943 (retd 19.01.1946; retaining rank of F/Lt.)	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Accountant Branch) [emergency commission]
Williams, Mervyn Francis Douglas "Willy" / "Taffy" Son of Herbert Douglas Williams (1876-?), and Alice Elizabeth Piper (1873-?). Married (28.01.1972, Kensington district) Jane Hull.	24.03.1911 Steyning district, Sussex - 13.03.1987 St Albans district, Hertfordshire	F/Cadet ? P/O 19.12.1931 [26250] F/O 19.06.1933 F/Lt. 19.06.1936 Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1939 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1941 (WS) W/Cdr. 24.01.1946 W/Cdr. 01.10.1946 Gp.Capt. 01.01.1950 (retd 03.07.1958) CBE 07.06.1951 HM's birthday 51 DSO 04.08.1942 attack on Prinz Eugen * MID 11.07.1940 ? MID 01.01.1943 ? MID 31.01.1947 ? * During the time this officer commanded No. 42 Squadron he was responsible for raising it to a high standard of operational efficiency. On the night of May 17th, 1942, he led a force comprising Beauforts, Hudsons, Blenheims and Beaufighters in an attack on the Prinz Eugen. Despite intense defensive fire from the cruiser and four escorting destroyers, Wing Cdr. Williams led his force into the attack with great courage and determination. Unfortunately, he was shot down during the engagement and is a prisoner of war. He always displayed inspiring leadership.	Education: Hove; Brighton College; RAF College, Cranwell. 19.12.1931     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 12.09.1933 - 06.04.1934 811 (FTB) Squadron RAF 06.04.1934 - 05.03.1935 812 (FTB) Squadron RAF 05.03.1935 - 20.12.1935 successfully completed the specialist armament course ats the Air Armament School RAF (Eastchurch) 01.01.1936 - ? RAF Station Gosport (1942) - 17.05.1942 Commanding Officer, 42 Squadron RAF [attacked German battleship "Prinz Eugen"; shot down & captured] 05.1942 - (05?).1945 POW in German captivity (Oflag XXIB, then Stalag Luft III) 01.01.1949 - (04.1949) Operations Division, HQ Coastal Command (RAF Northwood, Middlesex)
Williams, William Ogwyn Son of Johnny and Sarah Williams. Husband of Elizabeth Williams, of Lower Cwmtwrch, Swansea.	1919 ? - 16.09.1942 (KIA) [age 23] [Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, 12.F.2]	Sgt. ? [655177] P/O 04.10.1941 [46839]	04.10.1941     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] ? - 16.09.1942 pilot, 106 Squadron RAF [was lost in operation against Essen in his Lancaster R5681 ZN-?, after having taken off from Coningsby at 20.30 hrs; the aircraft was shot down in the vicinity of Oererkenschwick and Datteln, some 30 km NE of Essen]
Willitts, Richard James Son of Albert Willitts (1885-1974), and Mabel Annie Gould (1877-1931). Married ((03?).1947, Paddington district, London) Julia M. Smith; one son.	10.11.1913 Ecclesall Bierlow district, West Riding of Yorkshire - 25.04.1991 Weston-super-Mare, Somerset	(A) P/O (prob) 13.10.1937 [40192] P/O 16.08.1938 F/O 16.04.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 16.04.1941 (Emgcy List) (reld 10.11.1958; retining rank of Sq.Ldr.) (A) Sq.Ldr. ? Leo II 27.06.1947 ? CdeG 27.06.1947 ?	13.10.1937     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 16.08.1941     transferred to reserve and called up for air force service A relative writes: "Probably 45 Squadron in Egypt at some point. Photo shows him in front of Lancaster bomber plane called "Madame X" with 60 bombs painted on it."
Willoughby de Broke, Lord; 20th Baron, cr. 1492, succ. 1923; Verney, John Henry Peyto Only child of 19th Baron (Richard Grenville Verney) and Marie Frances Lisette, OBE (died 1941), youngest daughter of C.A. Hanbury, Strathgarve, Ross­shire; married 04.10.1933, Rachel, daughter of Sir Bourchier Wrey, 11th Bt, and Mrs Godfrey Heseltine; one son one daughter.	21.05.1896 Chelsea, Greater London, Middlesex - 25.05.1986 Chelsea, Greater London, Middlesex	Army: Lt. ? (half-pay 25.10.1919) TARO: Capt. ? [3157] Hon. Col. 10.06.1942 (retd 26.09.1946; age limit) AAF: Sq.Ldr. 26.08.1939 [90238] (T) W/Cdr. 01.01.1940 (A) Gp.Capt. (T) Gp.Capt. 01.01.1943 (WS) Gp.Capt. 01.10.1945 A/Cdre. ? (retd) MC 22.06.1918 * AFC 11.07.1940 ? * For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Though heavily shelled and attacked from several directions and in imminent danger of being cut off he held a position against greatly superior numbers and covered the withdrawal, of other troops. He showed splendid coolness and determination. AE; KStJ (05.01.1948); JP	Education: Eton; Sandhurst 1914 - 1918 served European War: 17th/21st Lancers (MC) 1919 - 1922 ADC to Governor of Bombay 1925 - 1929 Adjutant, Warwickshire Yeomanry 1929 - 1935 Joint Master Warwickshire Hounds 1936 - 1939 Commanding Officer, 605 (County of Warwick) AAF Squadron (AFCAEA) 1940     Staff Officer 11 Fighter Group (despatches) 1941 - 1944 Deputy Director Public Relations, Air Ministry 1945 - 1946 Director Public Relations Member: National Hunt Cttee, 1940 (Steward, 1942-44, 1950-53, and 1964-67); Jockey Club, 1941 (Steward, 1944-47 and 1954-56). Chm., Tattersall's Cttee, 1948-53. Chairman: Birmingham Racecourse Co. Ltd, 1952-65 (Dir, 1932-65); The Steeplechase Co. (Cheltenham) Ltd, 1953-71 (Dir, 1944-71); Wolverhampton Racecourse Co. Ltd, 1947-71; Race­Finish Recording Co. Ltd, later Racecourse Technical Services Ltd, 1959-70 (Dir, 1947-70). Mem., Bloodstock Industry Cttee, Animal Health Trust, 1944- (Chm., 1964-77). President: Hunters' Improvement Society, 1957-58; Warwickshire Association of Boys' Clubs; Scouts Association; Council for Order of St John, 1946-68. Honorary Colonel, The Warwickshire Yeomanry, 10.06.1942-1963. Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, 28.08.1939-68.
Wilson, Alan Gatenby Son of ... Wilson, and ... Gatenby.	19.12.1916 Southgate, Edmonton district, Middlesex - 01.10.1989 Brixham, Torbay district, Devon	(A) P/O (prob) 24.11.1937 [70831] P/O (prob) 10.07.1938 P/O 10.07.1939 F/O 10.01.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 10.01.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.03.1942 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 17.08.1943 Sq.Ldr. 01.07.1946, seniority 01.09.1945 (A) W/Cdr. (1943) W/Cdr. 01.07.1951 Gp.Capt. 01.01.1958 (retd 19.12.1966) OBE 11.10.1955 Malaya DFC 03.12.1943 * MID 14.06.1945 ? * One day in October, 1943, this officer led a formation of bombers in an attack on a target in Northern France. When crossing the enemy coast, heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Wing Commander Wilson's aircraft was repeatedly hit and sustained much damage. The navigator was mortally wounded and his parachute and equipment were set on fire. Wing Commander Wilson, unable to obtain the fire extinguisher, promptly smothered the flames with his hands and threw the smouldering equipment overboard. He afterwards flew the damaged bomber home to an airfield where he effected a successful crash-landing. This officer displayed great courage, skill and determination in the face of very trying circumstances.	24.11.1937     commissioned, Reserve of Air Force Officers (General Duties Branch) 10.07.1938     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 10.07.1942     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) 05.1943 - 02.1944 Commanding Officer, 487 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF (DFC) 1945     Commanding Officer, 21 Squadron RAF 01.07.1946     permanent commision, RAF (General Duties Branch)
Wilson, Hugh Joseph "Willie" Only son of Alfred Wilson (1878-1952), and Jessie Wood Young (1882-1922). Married 1st (22.02.1947, Westminster district, London) Thom Isobel Moira Sergeant (06.03.1913 - 19.07.2003) (earlier married 1935 to Robert Garnham), of Stonehanger, Salcombe, South Devon, daughter of John Noel Sergeant, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP (1880-1966), and Isobel Thom Bennett Macfarlane (1885-1919); one son. Married 2nd (04.12.1959, Westminster district, London) Patricia Frances Shanley Warren ((25.06.1927 - ), only daughter of John Edgar Warren (1898-1978), and Mabel Frances Shanly (1894-1959); two sons.	28.05.1908 Islington district, London - 05.09.1990 Westminster district, London	P/O (prob) 13.09.1929 [28170] P/O 13.09.1930 F/O 13.03.1931 F/Lt. 01.04.1937, seniority 01.04.1936 (A) Sq.Ldr. (1940) (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1940 Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1945 25.02.1947, seniority 01.08.1940 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1942 (WS) W/Cdr. 20.08.1945 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947, seniority 01.10.1946 (retd 20.06.1948; own request; retaining rank of Gp.Capt.) CBE 13.06.1946 HM's birthday 46 AFC 01.01.1941 ? AFC 01.07.1941 ? AFC 08.06.1944 ?	Education: University School, Hastings; Merchant Taylors and City of London School (1922-1925). Apprenticeship in the cotton trade, 1925-1929. 13.09.1929     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission]       No 5 Flight Training School, Sealand, Flintshire 1930 - 1932 111 Squadron RAF (Hornchurch, Essex) 1932 - 1934 School of Naval Co-operation, Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire 13.09.1934     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class A) [took a conversion course on flying boats while on Reserve, and qualified as Flying Instructor in 1935; became Chief Instructor and Manager, York County Aviation Club and a Flying Instructor at the RAF Reserve School] 13.09.1938     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (Class C) In 1936 be became a Flying Instructor at Blackburns, Hanworth, Surrey, and Brough, Yorkshire. He was a test pilot for Blackburn Aircraft Ltd, and in that capacity performed the maiden flight of the Blackburn Roc in 1938. He became a Civil Test Pilot at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Hampshire. 1939     recalled to active service       He was the Commanding Officer, Aerodynamic Flight, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, Hampshire, and during this time he was temporarily attached to 74 Fighter Squadron RAF, Biggin Hill, Kent, to assess fighter requirements. Became Chief Test Pilot, Royal Aircraft Establishment, responsible for initial test flights on all captured enemy aircraft between 1941-1945 and was a Test Pilot at the British Air Commission in Washington DC, on loan to US Army Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Seconded to 616 Squadron RAF to train pilots on the Gloster Meteor jet fighter in 1944 and then went to the Empire Test Pilots' School, Cranfield, as Commandant. 07.11.1945 set the world speed record with Gloster Meteor "Britannia" at Herne Bay with average of 606 m.p.h. Managing Director and Chief Test Pilot for Planet Aircraft, followed by appointments as Sales Manager (Engines), Blackburn and General Aircraft Limited and Rolls Royce Limited, Small Engine Division.
Wilson, Louis Douglas Son of a station manager of Eastern Telegraph. Married 1st (1940, Middlesex; marriage dissolved 1953) Valerie Roche; twin daughters, one son. Married 2nd (1953) Eileen Farrell.	31.03.1917 Vigo, Spain - 06.06.2004 East Dorset district, Dorset	P/O 19.12.1936 [33295] F/O 19.06.1938 (A) F/Lt. 25.04.1939-20.04.1940 F/Lt. 19.06.1940 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.09.1941 Sq.Ldr. 20.11.1942, seniority 01.09.1941 (T) W/Cdr. 01.07.1943-01.11.1947 W/Cdr. 01.01.1951 (retd 30.09.1959) DSO 23.03.1945 bombardment sorties DFC 22.11.1940 photographic reconnaissance AFC 01.01.1943 test flying MID ? photographic reconnaissance	Educated in Lisbon and Alexandria; King's School, Bruton; RAF College, Cranwell (Groves Memorial Prize). 19.12.1936     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 19.12.1936 - 1939 40 (Bomber) Squadron RAF (Abingdon) (flying Hinds, Battles & Blenheims) 1939 - 1940 Photographic Development Unit 01.1941 - 1943 test pilot, Vickers Armstrong (Farnborough) 1943? - 1944? briefing pilots in the United States on RAF flight testing methods 1944? - 1945? Commanding Officer, 102 Squadron RAF (flying Halifaxes) post-war     appointments in Iraq and the Far East, commanded Nos 9 and 49 Squadrons, had a series of appointments at the Air Ministry, served in Germany before flying fighters as the chief instructor at the Central Gunnery School and taking a two-year appointment on the operations staff of the Second Allied Tactical Air Force in Germany Joined the export department of the aero-engine division of Rolls-Royce, retiring in 1973.
Wilson, Ronald Christopher Son of Capt. R.S. Wilson, Seaforth Highlanders.	15.05.1905 - 1956 St Andrew district, Edinburgh, Scotland	F/Cadet ? P/O 31.07.1925 [16185] F/O ? F/Lt. 05.11.1930 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1937 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1940 (T) Gp.Capt. 01.06.1942 Gp.Capt. 01.10.1946 (retd 15.05.1952)	Education: Trinity College, Glenalmond (1917-1918); RAF Cadet College, Cranwell. 31.07.1925     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) ... - ... ...
Winning, Deryck Selkirk Son (with three brothers and one sister) of Theodore Norman Winning, KC (1884-1946), barrister-at-law, and Florence Marshall Bonner (?-1955). Brother of F/Lt. Theodore Norman Gerald Winning, RAFVR. His brother Sgt. William Burton Cecil "Borton" Winning, RAFVR (born 04.11.19??) , was missing, presumed killed 06.01.1941. Married ((03?).1944, Derby district, Derbyshire) Jean E.M. Offiler.	(06?).1916 Derby district, Derbyshire - 04.11.1967 Derby district, Derbyshire	(A) P/O (prob) 01.07.1937 [39836] P/O 06.05.1938 F/O 06.12.1939 (WS) F/Lt. 06.03.1941 (T) Sq.Ldr. 01.06.1942-01.11.1947 F/Lt. 01.11.1947, seniority 01.12.1942	01.07.1937     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] 06.05.1941     transferred, Reserve of Air Force Officers (and called up for air force service) Solicitor, Derby, 1950-1967.
Woodhall, Alfred Basil "Woody" Son of Job Woodhall, a shrebroker, and Clara Richards. Married 1st ((12?).1921, Portsmouth district) Dorothy Seymour Wingfield (born (06?).1894, Portsea Island district) (marriage dissolved 04.03.1935). Married 2nd (16.09.1935, Adlerton Parish Church, Suffolk) Mrs Helen Holden (née Kayler), divorced wife of Harold E.B. Holden (marriage dissolved 13.11.1939). Married 3rd (09.01.1941, Cambridge Registry Office) Flight Officer Margot Isabel Mason Robinson, WAAF.	09.01.1897 Kirkby-in-Furness, Ulverston district, Cumbria, Lancashire - 11.06.1968 Dunedin, NZ	RM: T/Lt. 08.10.1916 Prob. 2nd Lt. 22.07.1918, seniority 08.10.1916 Lt. > 01.1919, seniority 08.10.1916 Capt. 20.10.1926 RAF: (T) F/O 12.01.1925 [05176] (T) F/Lt. 01.07.1929 F/Lt. 01.08.1930, seniority  01.07.1929 Sq.Ldr. 01.12.1936 W/Cdr. 01.01.1940 (retd 14.07.1945; own request; retaining the rank of Gp.Capt.) (T) Gp.Capt. 01.12.1941 RCAF: P/O 05.07.1950 [205038] OBE 17.03.1941 distinguished services rendered in operational commands of the RAF CzWC 10.01.1941 valuable services in connection with the war LM 06.05.1947 in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war [actually awarded 05.05.45] BWM 14|20 02.11.1924 - VM 02.11.1924 -	c. 1913     Corporal, South African Defence Force 08.1915     Manchester University Officer Training Unit 08.01.1916 - 06.1916 joined the Royal Marines (traning) 06.1916 - 06.12.1916 2nd RM Light Infantry Battalion (France; wounded 06.12.1916) 06.12.1916 - early 1917 hospital Vimereux (France) & Withington (UK) early 1917 - 08.1917 RM Training Battalion (Blandford) [made first flight at RFC School of Special Flying, Gosport] 08.1917 - 01.1918 Officer Commanding Hoy sound coastal battery 01.1918 - 05.1918 naval gunnery course, HMS Excellent & torpedo course, HMS Vernon 22.07.1918     permanent commission, Royal Marines 05.09.1918 - early 1919 RM gunnery officer, HMS Agincourt (battleship) early 1919 - 1919 assistant musketry instructor Browndown Camp 1919 - 1921 HMS Hawkins (light cruiser) (China Station) 1922 - 1923 8th RM Battalion (Ireland) 03.01.1923 - 1924 HMS Constance (light cruiser) (West Indies, Bermuda, Newfoundland, Canada) (01.1925) Plymouth Division, RM 12.01.1925 - 09.08.1925 flying training, RAF Netheravon [attached to RAF] [awarded wings 08.08.1925] 10.08.1925 - 12.1925 flying training, RAF Gosport [attached to RAF] 21.01.1926 attached, RAF Gosport [attached to RAF] (during Atlantic Fleet spring crise) 05.05.1926 - 08.1927 pilot, No. 461 Flight FAA [HMS Furious (aircraft carrier)] (Atlantic Fleet) [attached to RAF] 08.1927 - 06.1928 pilot, No. 460 Flight FAA [HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier)] (Mediterranean) [attached to RAF] 06.1928 - 07.1930 pilot, No. 464 Flight FAA [HMS Courageous (aircraft carrier), later HMS Furious] (Mediterranean, then Home Fleet) [attached to RAF] [(04.1930) indicated as Flight Commander] 01.08.1930 permanent commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) 01.09.1930 - 01.1933 111 Squadron RAF (Hornchurch) 01.1933 - 08.1935 test pilot, 22 Squadron RAF (Martlesham Heath) [Officer Commanding "C" Flight, from 12.1934 "A" Flight] 09.1935     posted as Adjutant General Baghdad but cancelled when Mussolini invaded Abyssinia 10.1935 - 12.1935 41 Squadron RAF (Khormaksar) (27.11.1935 cartilage injury; invalided home) 04.1936 - 01.1937 No. 1 Flight Training School (Leuchars) (instructing deck landing and catapult launching) 18.01.1937 - 27.04.1938 Commanding Officer, TSR Squadron 824 FAA [HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier)] (China) 1938 - 1939 Air Ministry, London 03.1939 - 01.1940 Squadron Leader Flying (Operations), RAF Duxford 01.1940 - 03.1940 Senior Personnel Staff Officer (SPSO), No. 20 Technical Training Group (Market Drayton) 03.1940 - 04.1941? Commanding Officer, RAF Duxford [08.1940 reported as radar controller, Duxford Sector (Kent), No. 12 Group, Fighter Command, RAF] 28.04.1941 - 01.1942 Commanding Officer, RAF Tangmere 02.1942 - 07.1942 Officer Commanding Fighters, Malta (1944) 334 Wing (Brindisi) Published: Soldier, sailor and airman too : the fighting life of Group Captain A.B. "Woody" Woodhall (2008; ed. by Martin Woodhall).
Woodin, John Horton	(06?).1902 Stockbridge district, Hampshire - (03?).1967 West Bromwich district, Staffordshire	Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937
Woodroffe, Gordon Cyril Butler "Woody" Son of the Rev. Cyril Atwell Woodroffe, and Edythe Maud Somes. Married (14.09.1940) Leila Sophia Henriette Anderson (08.06.1919 - 26.12.1999), of Bulkeley, Alexandria, Egypt, daughter of the Rev. James Fergusson Anderson, and Frances Muriel Victoria Swayne [and sister of Dorothy Elizabeth Anderson, who married Sq.Ldr. Patrick Philip Troughton-Smith, RAF]. Leila Woodroffe re-married (1947) Rev. George Edward Hope.	08.09.1915 Hastings district, Sussex - 13.10.1940 (KIA) [age 25] [Asmara War Cemetery, Eritrea, collective grave 3.A.1-3]	(A) P/O (prob) 01.07.1937 [39837] P/O 06.05.1938 F/O 06.01.1940	Education: St John's School, Leatherhead. 01.07.1937     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) [short service commission] ? - 13.10.1940 pilot, 45 Squadron RAF [killed whilst flying Blenheim I, L8464 of No 45 Sqn, which was shot down by fighters on a raid against a fuel dump at Gura]
Woods, William Daniel	29.09.1910 - 07.1997 Petersfield district, Hampshire	P/O 07.06.1934, seniority 07.06.1933 [36006] 21.07.1936, seniority 07.12.1932 F/O 07.12.1934 F/Lt. 01.10.1936 Sq.Ldr. 01.04.1939 (T) W/Cdr. 01.03.1941 W/Cdr. 01.07.1947 (retd 09.10.1962)	Education: Dalhousie University, Nova Scoatia (BEng, BSc 1931); MRAeS. 07.06.1934     commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 07.06.1934     No. 3 Flying Training School RAF (Grantham) 11.09.1936     504 (Co. Nottingham) (Bomber) Squadron RAF (Hucknall) 03.01.1938     Home Aircraft Depot RAF (Henlow) 24.04.1940     transferred, RAF (Technical Branch [later: Engineering Branch])       POW in Japanese captivity 12?.1957     HQ 18 Group RAF (for technical staff duties)
Worthington, Francis Richard	16.02.1907 Lowestoft, Mutford district, Suffolk - 05.09.1953 Wales (air accident) [age 46] (lately of Moulsford, Berkshire)	P/O 30.07.1927 [26022] F/O 30.01.1929 F/Lt. ? Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1937 (T) W/Cdr. 01.06.1940 W/Cdr. ? (T) Gp.Capt. 01.07.1943-01.11.1947 Gp.Capt. 01.07.1948	Education: RAF College, Cranwell (1927 Sword of Honour as best all-round Flight Cadet Under Officer in the Senior Term). 30.07.1927 commissioned, RAF (General Duties Branch) 30.07.1927     RAF Base, Calshot (1931)     204 (Flying Boat) Squadron RAF 05.01.1932     RAF Base, Calshot 12.10.1933     No. 4 Flying Training School (Abu Sueir) [passed preliminary examination in French 06.1934] ? - ? ? 01.07.1948 - (04.1949) Navigation Officer on air staff of HQ Air Command, Far East (Changi) (1951) - 05.09.1953 Commanding Officer, No. 1 Initial Training School RAF (Jurby) [flying an Avro Anson T. Mk.20 VM418 based at Jurby, which crashed on Clagh Ouyr near Ramsey]
Worthington, Godfrey David Puget "Dave" Son of Maj. Godfrey Francis Puget Worthington, MC, Green Howards, and Dorothy Isabel Worthington.	11.08.1920 Harrow, London - 30.05.2007 Cape Town, South Africa	Cpl. ? [571864] P/O (prob) 12.02.1944 [55516] (WS) F/O 12.02.1945? (WS) F/Lt. 12.02.1946 (reld 09.08.1947)	24.08.1937 started training at No. 1 Squadron RAF (Pembroke) as apprentice aircraft mechanic saw service in operational theatres such as the UK, Singapore, Java, India and Burma 1943 flying training as a pilot in Rhodesia ? - ? 111 Squadron RAF (Duxford) 12.02.1944 first commission, RAF (General Duties Branch) [emergency commission] His post-war flying career saw him fly a Miles Gemini to South Africa in 1947 and upon arrival, started instructing locally. In 1955 he moved to Youngsfield where he assisted the SAAF in its C.C.F. Pupil Pilot training scheme. During this phase he also flew charter flights which prepared him for his move to Afric Air at the end of the year. At Afric Air he flew DC-3’s operating primarily out of Blantyre and Francistown. A career move in 1956, led to his appointment at Anglo American as corporate pilot. He was promoted to chief pilot of Anglo in 1965 and retired 1976. Hereafter simulator instructor. Published: The private pilot's handbook (1955); Flight planning (1962); Airline instrument flying (1968); The private pilot's helicopter handbook (1960s?)
Worton, Alfred Married ...; two daughters.	04.07.1910 - 09.06.1994	Wt.Offr. ? [366470] F/O (prob) 03.02.1944 [54111] F/O 03.08.1944 F/O 21.04.1949, seniority 13.08.1947 F/Lt. 07.06.1951 (retd 21.04.1956)	03.02.1944     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission] 21.04.1949     short service commission His daughter writes: "I believe he did service in Iraq and what is now Pakistan before the the Second World War (roughly 1934-38). He joined the air force as a career at a young age. We moved all over Britain during those war years: Mablethorpe, Locking, Great Ashfield, Dundee, Bristol. After the war, he was stationed at RAF Cosford Staffordshire West Midlands for many years after the war training Boy Entrants there."
Wright, Allan Richard	? - [West Sussex]	P/O (prob) 23.10.1939 [33499] P/O 23.10.1940 (T?) F/O 23.10.1940 (A) F/Lt. 27.09.1940 (WS) F/Lt. 23.10.1941 F/Lt. 21.05.1946, seniority 23.04.1943 (WS) Sq.Ldr. 10.03.1944 Sq.Ldr. 01.08.1947 (A) W/Cdr. 1944? W/Cdr. 01.07.1952 (T) Gp.Capt. 03.12.1946, seniority 01.07.1945 DFC 22.10.1940 * DFC 15.07.1941 ** AFC 01.09.1944 ? Cmdn 02.06.1943 for brave conduct * One night in August, 1940, this officer displayed great determination and skill in destroying a Heinkel in, under difficult conditions. Pilot Officer Wright has consistently shown a keen desire to engage the enemy on all occasions. He has brought down a total of four enemy aircraft and has badly damaged four more. ** This officer has been continually engaged in operational flying since May, 1940. He has led his flight and sometimes his squadron with great skill and determination. Flight Lieutenant Wright has destroyed at least nine enemy aircraft. On one occasion he flew his damaged aircraft back from France making .a successful landing despite extreme difficulties. His keenness and devotion to duty have been outstanding.	Education: qs ?     80 Squadron (01.07.1940)     92 Squadron 30.09.1940     foce landed his Spitfire I X4069 near Shoreham after Bf 109 attack at 1700 hrs; wounded 29.08.1940 11.09.1940 26.09.1940 27.09.1940 27.09.1940     .. victories: 1 He 111 1 He 111 1 Ju 88 ½ He 111 1 Ju 88, etc. (1965)     still serving
Wright, Harold Marshall Stanley	08.08.1902 Fulham, Greater London, Middlesex - 16.02.1984 Crawley, West Sussex	Sq.Ldr. 01.02.1937	qualified at a specialist course in engineering; additionally qualified at university course in engineering
Wright, James Gregory	? -	Sgt. ? [560233] (A) P/O (prob) 31.12.1941, seniority 27.10.1941 [47868]	31.12.1941     commissioned, RAF (Technical Branch) [emergency commission]
Wright, the Rev. James Mitchell Eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Wright, of Newbliss, County Monaghan. Married (01.11.1939, Cranwell Parish Church, Sleaford district, Lincolnshire) Mary Grace Bryant; ... children (one daughter?).	12.03.1912 Clones district, Ireland -	Chapl. (with relative rank of Sq.Ldr.) 04.08.1939	Education: BA. 04.08.1939     commissioned, RAF (Chaplains Branch) (Church of England) [short service commission]
Wynne-Eyton, Charles Sandford	10.1888 Flintshire, Wales - 14.11.1944 [Choloy War Cemetery, France, 2A.A.9]	Sq.Ldr. (retd) 01.04.1918 [9186] W/Cdr. ? DSO ? ? AFC ? ?