616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron RAF - Group photograph of Pilots - 7th October 1942

Above: Group of Pilots at RAF Tangmere dated 7th October 1942

Above: Names on reverse of above photograph - 7th October 1942

Back Row: Left to Right: Fg Off. House (Doc), Sgt. Fowler S.J., Sgt., Sgt., Flt Sgt. Miller P.C., Sgt. McKenzie M., Sgt Roger J., Sgt., Sgt. Welch, Sgt. Cooper M., Sgt. Pierce, Sgt. Smith, Sgt. McKellar, Sgt. King P., Plt Off. Jobert.

Front Row: Left to Right: Plt Off. Tateson (Adj), Fg Off., Plt Off. Blanchard R., Flt Lt. McLauchlin, Air Cdr. Lord Trenchard, Sqn Ldr. Brown DFC, Plt Off. Smithson, Plt Off Large DFC, Fg Off. Cleland, Fg Off. Orton (Int Off).

Back Row Left to Right:

Name: Roger Allan House

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 126752

Air Force: RAF

Role: Medical Officer, MRCS, LRCP

Awards:

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn during October 1942.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 13th August 1943.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

MRCS = Member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
LRCP = Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.

Name: S.J. Fowler

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number:

Air Force: RCAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn from 61 Operational Training unit (OTU) at RAF Rednal in Shropshire on the 25th August 1942.

13th March 1943. Flying in Spitfire VI BR302 YQ:? was attacked by Typhoons during Exercise Spartan and collided with Spitfire VI BS448 flown by Fg Off. J.K. Rodgers which was abandoned and crashed at High Waterton in Devon. Sgt Fowler landed at RAF Ibsley with 3ft of wingtip bent up. Fg Off. J.K. Rodgers safe.

18th April 1943. Spitfire VI BR590 YQ:F. ASR sortie off Swanage, engine failed and ditched into the sea. Rescued by Walrus.

No further information found

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Possibly Fg Off. S.J. Fowler J17976

Unknown Sergeant (Sgt)

Unknown Sergeant (Sgt)

Above Philip Charles Miller as a aircrew trainee from his service record

Name: Philip Charles Miller

Rank: Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt)

Number: 404939

Air Force: RAAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

1939-45 Star
Pacific Star
Aircrew Europe Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Australia Service Medal 1939-45
Return from Active Service Badge

Service History:

After completing his training in Canada he was posted to 56 Operational Training unit (OTU) at RAF Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire on the 18th November 1941.

Posted to 616 Sqn on the 22nd February 1942.

Promoted to Flt Sgt. on the 25th March 1942.

15th April 1942.Spitfire VI BL754 YQ:?. Developed engine trouble and ditched in the English Channel. Rescued and admitted to hospital for his injuries at Dover and RAF Halton. Discharged on the 13th June 1942.

Returned to the Sqn on the 2nd July 1942 after a period of sick leave following his ditching in April.

On the 5th February 1943 flying Spitfire VI BR247 YQ:? belly landed at Stoney Cross because of engine failure. Safe.

Granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 13th March 1943.

Repatriated to Australia. Disembarked on the 4th July 1943.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 13th September 1943.

Posted to No. 15 Aircraft Repair Deport (ARD) Port Moresby as a test pilot on the 15th March 1944.

Posted to No. 13 ARD at Breddan as a test pilot on the 27th November 1944.

Discharged from the RAAF on the 3rd October 1945 as a Fg Off.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 3rd August 1917 in Launceston, Tasmania

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: William ’Hugh’ McKenzie

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: J16763 on commissioning

Air Force: RCAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

William ’Hugh’ McKenzie enlisted in the RCAF during March 1941 in Winnipeg.

On the 25th August 1942. He was posted from 52 Operational Training Unit (OTU), RAF Aston Down to 616 Sqn.

Promoted to J16763 Plt Off. and then to Fg Off. after November 1942 and before July 1944 whilst with 616 Sqn.

On the 16th August 1944 Fg Off. McKenzie flying a Meteor F.I was about to land at RAF Manston when his control informed him that Divers (V1s) were inbound. He was sent on an orbit approximately 5 miles SE of Ashford in Kent at 3000 ft. He spotted one Diver flying on a course of 320 degrees at 1000 ft and at a speed of approximately 360 mph. He positioned his aircraft 700 yards behind and 500 ft below at around 09:38 hrs. A Mustang was seen to attack from line astern and fire from 250 yards. No strikes were observed and the Diver continued on a straight and level course, the Mustang then pulled upwards and broke away. Fg Off. McKenzie immediately attacked from astern at a range of 400 yards and fired a 4 second burst of cannon. Strikes were seen all over the Diver and the starboard wing fell off. The Diver then rolled over on its back and dived into the ground approximately 8 miles SE of Maidstone in Kent at approximately 09:40 hrs.

He was promoted to Flt Lt. on an unknown date.

After the war, on the 28th September 1945, Flt Lt. McKenzie was one of two pilots that accompanied two two Gloster Meteor F.III which were assigned by the British Air Ministry for cold-weather tests at the RCAF Test and Development Establishment. In January of 1946 they aircraft were assigned to the Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE) at RCAF Station Namao, Alberta.

Above Pilots, including William H. McKenzie and Everett L. Baudoux, pose with a Gloster Meteor at Ottawa, October 1945. (Courtesy of the Library and Archives Canada – PA065617)

Note: Sqn Ldr. Everett L. Baudoux DSO, DFC was the Chief Test Pilot

On the 29th June 1946 Flt Lt. McKenzie was flying Meteor F.III E311 from Namao to RCAF Station Hamilton, Ontario when he encountered poor weather and a fuel transfer problem from an external belly tank. Having run out of fuel, he was forced to ditch the aircraft in Helenbar Lake, approximately 14 miles north of the community of Ellitot Lake in Northern Ontario.

Helenbar Lake is quite shallow and the Meteor was recovered some six weeks later in remarkably good condition, however the aircraft was later written off.

Courtesy of The Edmonton Bulletin, dated Thursday October 31st 1946

Flt Lt. McKenzie survived the ditching, but stayed near the aircraft for 26 days awaiting rescue. The first 23 days he survived on water alone but later found some edible berries. On the 25th July 1946, he heard an outboard motor boat and hiked a quarter mile over to the nearby Semiwite Lake where he came across a fisherman and safety.

Above Flt Lt. McKenzie after rescue (Courtesy of The Albertan, dated Tuesday July 30th 1946)

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: John Kirkpatrick Rodger

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 1365682

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: MiD

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn on the 30th June 1942 from 57 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Hawarden in Flintshire.

On the 1st November 1942 at 14:15 hrs Sgt. Rodger and Sgt. Philip Shaw Smith 413900 RNZAF took off on the third convoy patrol of the day. They were recalled because of deteriorating weather. In near zero visibility both aircraft crashed into a hillside north of Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Sgt. Smith was killed and Sgt. Rodger owed his life to the fact that his Spitfire VI BR174 YQ:A went clean through a brick wall, enabling him to make a forced landing. He escaped with concussion and slight head injuries.

Whilst recovering he was posted from the Sqn to RAF Tangmere as a supernumerary.

1365682 Sgt. John Kirkpatrick Rodger was granted a commission and promoted to 139638 Plt Off. with effect 17th December 1942. London Gazette 23rd March 1943.

4th March 1943. Flying in Spitfire VI BS448 YQ:? was attacked by Typhoons during Exercise Spartan and collided with Spitfire VI BR302 YQ:? flown by Sgt Fowler, who landed at RAF Ibsley with 3ft of wingtip bent up. Sgt. Rodgers safely bailed out of his Spitfire which crashed at High Waterton in Devon.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 17th June 1943. London Gazette 30th July 1943.

In July and August 1944 the Sqn exchanged its Spitfires VIIs for the Gloster Meteor F.I, the first RAF jet fighter.

On the 4th August 1944 he was scrambled in a Meteor F.I. At 16:40hrs a Diver (V1) was sighted flying at 3000 ft at about 340 mph near Tenderton. From dead astern he fired a 2 second burst of his four cannons at a range of 300 yards followed by another 2 second burst. The Diver tipped over, dived into the ground and exploded about 5 miles NW of Tenderton.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 17th December 1944. London Gazette 5th January 1945.

On the 4th February 1945 four Meteors F.IIIs, painted complete white, flew from RAF Colerne via RAF Manston to B.58 Moelsbrock near Brussels:

EE225 YQ:P - Wg Cdr. A. McDowall DFM
EE239 YQ:Q - Sqn Ldr. D.A. Barry
EE240 YQ:R - Flt Lt. M.M. Mullenders
EE241 YQ:S - Fg Off. J.K. Rodger

On the 18th April 1945 Fg Off. Rodger claimed a German staff car destroyed near Utrecht, Holland.

He was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) promulgated in the London Gazette 14th June 1945.

No further information found.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Unknown Sergeant (Sgt)

Name: Norman George Welch

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 1268964

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

On the 15th March 1942. Crashed his Spitfire Vb, BL345 YQ:? when landing in the morning by hitting a tree on the outskirt of the airfield at RAF Wittering. He sustained cuts and bruises on face but was otherwise uninjured. Accident due to lack of experience and judgement.

26th May 1942. Perfect forced landing near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire due to engine failure.

19th August 1942. Spitfire VI BR255 YQ:U Damaged after combat with Fw190. Belly landed causing Cat B damage. Uninjured and safe.

Note: The Spitfire was repaired and was SOC on the 9th February 1945.

Promoted to Warrant Officer (WO).

Posted to RAF Station Fayid (Air Firing Squadron) on the 30th June 1944.

Transferred from 683 Sqn to Aircrew Reinforcement Pool (Primary Unit 56 PTC) on 22nd January 1945.

No further information found

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: Michael Hadley Frederick ‘Mike’ Cooper

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 791150

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: MiD

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn from 266 Sqn on the 25 April 1942.

On the 30th July 1942 flying Spitfire VI BR167 YQ:? Ramrod to St. Omer, shot down by Bf109Fs near Boulogne and abandoned. He was rescued.

On the 2nd October 1942 flying Spitfire VI BR159 YQ:B. Circus 221 was damaged by a Fw190 and abandoned. He was rescued by ASR Walrus. (See the DFC citation for Plt Off. R.G. Large above).

791150 Flt Sgt. Cooper was granted a commission and promoted to 133025, Plt Off. with effect the 3rd October 1942. London Gazette 1st December 1942.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 3rd April 1943. London Gazette 2nd July 1943.

On the 16th August 1943 flying Spitfire Vc BR987 YQ:? Ramrod. Abandoned because of engine failure. Evaded capture and escaped via Spain and Gibraltar. Helped by the Marie-Claire line. Returned to England on the 21st December 1943.

On the 11th July 1944 flying Spitfire VII MD178 YQ:W on a Rhubarb to Le Mans. Hit by flak over Angers and was wounded. Aircraft suffered Cat B damage.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 3rd October 1944. London Gazette 10th November 1944.

Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) on the 1st January 1945.

Resigned his commission retaining the rank of Flt Lt. with effect 24th November 1946.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 7th March 1922 in Kenya

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Above; Ian Redcliff Pearce from his service record

Name: Ian Redcliff Pearce

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 401147

Air Force: RAAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

1939-45 Star
Africa Star and Clasp
Italy Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45
Australia Service Medal 1939-45
Return from Active Service Badge

Service History:

He enlisted in the RAAF in Melbourne on the 3rd January 1941.

After undertaking his flying training in Rhodesia he was posted to the UK on the 25th April 1941.

After a period of conversion training at 53 Operational Training unit (OTU) at RAF Heston, West London he was posted to 616 Sqn on the 22nd September 1942.

Granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off on the 15th August 1943 and then reassigned to the Middle East and posted to 1435 Sqn based at RAF Luqa, Malta on with the same effective date.

On the 17th January 1944 he was wounded during during air operations out of Brindisi Airport, Italy.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 15th February 1945.

On the 15th March 1944 he was slightly wounded flying Hurricane IIb AM315 out of Brindisi Airport Italy.

On the 1st August 1944 flying Spitfire IX MA469 V:H suffered an engine failure 60 miles north of Brindisi. Fg Off. Pearce bailed out and was rescued by MTB. Admitted to No. 1 General Hospital and discharged on the 4th August 1944.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 15th August 1945.

Repatriated to Australia arriving on the 5th October 1945.

Discharged from the RAAF on the 16th November 1945 as a Flt Lt.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 7th May 1922 in Malvern, Victoria

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: Philip Shaw Smith

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 413900

Air Force: RNZAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

Spitfire VI BR186 YQ:C Crashed into hillside at Nettlecombe, 3 mls west of Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight. KiA

Biographical Information:

DoB: 9th September 1920 in Grantham, Lincolnshire

DoD: 1st November 1942

Burial: Tangmere Churchyard (St Andrew) Plot E. Row 3 Grave 500

Notes: This was only his 3rd sortie.

Above Leslie Ean Benson McKellar as a aircrew trainee (from his service record)

Name: Leslie Ean Benson McKellar

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number: 403681

Air Force: RAAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

1939-45 Star
Return from Active Service Badge

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn from 52 Operational Training unit (OTU) at RAF Aston Down, Gloucestershire on the 13th September 1942

First sortie with 616 Sqn was on the 26th September 1942 and his last sortie on the 24th November 1942.

8th October 1942. Taxying in Spitfire VI BR197 YQ:? ran into Spitfire VI BS111 YQ:P (Sgt. G.L. Robinson) at Tangmere. Both pilots safe.

Returned to Australia for active service on the 22nd February 1943 via the USA.

Posted to 79 Sqn (RAAF) flying Spitfires on the 12th May 1943.

Granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 1st August 1943.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 1st February 1944.

Discharged from the RAAF on the 19th June 1945 as a Fg Off. at own request.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 3rd July 1918 in Sydney, New South Wales

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: P.E. King

Rank: Sergeant (Sgt)

Number:

Air Force:

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

Sgt. P.E. King was posted to the Sqn on the 14th July 1942 from 52 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Aston Down, Gloucestershire.

Posted overseas after the 17th November 1942.

May be 1331660 Flt Sgt. Peter Edward King who was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 2nd August 1943. London Gazette 24th March 1944.

Plt Off. Peter Edgar King 172123. Was serving with 252 Sqn, died on the 11th August 1943 cause of death unknown but is remembered on the Malta Memorial.

Note: 252 Sqn were flying Beaufighters out of Berkla III, Libya.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 1923

DoD: 11th August 1943

Burial: Remembered on the Malta Memorial Panel 7, Column 1.

Notes:

Name: Jacques Joubert-des-Ouches

Rank: Sous Lieutenant (Slt) =Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number:

Air Force: Free French

Role: Pilot

Awards: Croix de Guerre (France) 5 Palmes

Service History:

Posted to 616 Sqn during September 1942 from 232 Sqn.

On the 29th May 1943 during a High Flying Patrol between Portland Bill and the Needles he and his #2 were vectored toward enemy aircraft. About 15 miles from Poole two Fw190s were spotted flying south and below. Both he and his #2 dived to attack the enemy aircraft with Slt. Joubert-des-Ouches scoring hits on the Fw190 he engaged. He followed the now smoking aircraft down in a near vertical dive and fired on him again. The Fw190 managed to detach from the engagement close to the sea and he was lost from sight in the mist. The Fw190 was claimed as damaged.

Posted from 616 Sqn on the 18th November 1943.

After a period of training he joined 345 Sqn (Free French) on the 28th March 1944.

At around 11:00 hrs the 6th June 1944 (D-Day) Lt. Joubert-des-Ouches was reported MiA flying Spitfire V W3843 from 345 Sqn during a Low Cover patrol over Utah beach. During a second attack, a few km from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, he reported engine problems by radio and bailed out at low altitude. His body was never found.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 2nd May 1920 in Meudon, France

DoD: 6th June 1944 over the D-Day beaches

Burial: No known Grave

Notes: Full service history for Lt. Jacques Joubert-des-Ouches

Front Row Left to Right:

Name: John Henry Tateson

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 105977

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: 616 Sqn Adjutant

Awards:

Service History:

John Henry Tateson was granted a commission and promoted to acting Plt Off on probation with effect 5th September 1941. London Gazette 7th October 1941.

Confirmed as a Plt Off. with effect 5th November 1941. London Gazette 11th November 1941.

Whilst with 616 Sqn on the 10th May 1942 he was detached for a 3 week Administration Course.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 1st October 1942. London Gazette 27th November 1942.

Relinquished his commission retaining his rank as stated with effect 10th February 1954. London gazette 7th September 1954.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Unknown Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Name: Ralph Blanchard

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 151865

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

Sgt. Blanchard was posted to 616 Sqn on the 26th March 1942.

1397911 Sgt. Ralph Blanchard was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 16 April 1943. London Gazette 25th June 1943.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 16th October 1943. London Gazette 22 October 1943.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 16th April 1945. London Gazette 8th May 1945.

Awarded the DFC as a Ft Lt. with 906 Wing HQ. London Gazette 29th January 1946.

Relinquished his commission on transfer to RAF Reserve of Officers, retaining his rank of Flt Lt. with effect 23rd February 1955. London Gazette 2nd May 1955

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: Gordon Baird MacLachlan

Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

Number: 101490

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

1190120 Sgt. Gordon Baird MacLachlan was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 11th April 1941. London Gazette 15th August 1941.

Returned to RAF Wittering and recovering from his injuries in a Magister accident on the 15th November 1941.

Promoted to Fg Off. with effect 11th April 1942. London Gazette 14th August 1942.

On the 18th April 1943 whilst taxying Spitfire VI BR318 YQ:? at RAF Ibsley ran into a pile of tar and tipped the aircraft on its nose.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 11th April 1943. London Gazette 25th June 1943.

Flt Lt. MacLachlan was shot down and KiA by Fw190s on the 16th April 1943 flying Spitfire VI BS245 YQ:C on a Ramrod to Brest.

Believed to have been claimed by Uffz. Ernst Henning from 1./JG 2, his 1st Abschuss, 25km north of Brest at 6.500m at 13:45.

Biographical Information:

DoB: 2nd Quarter of 1922 in Bucklow, Cheshire

DoD: 16th April 1943 in France

Burial: Plouguerneau Communal Cemetery Plot 2, Row 13, Grave 10

Notes: Son of Hugh Findlay MacLachlan and of Amy Helen MacLachlan (nee Orr- Ewing), of East Grinstead, Sussex.

His brother Sqn Ldr. James Archibald Findlay MacLachlan 39639 DSO, DFC, and 2 bars, also fell on the 31st July 1943 whilst flying with the Air Fighting Development Unit (AFDU).

Air Commodore Lord Trenchard

Name: Harry Lennox Inns Brown

Rank: Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr)

Number: 37060

Air Force: RAF

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC, MiD

Service History:

Promoted to acting Flt Lt. with effect 16th August 1939. London Gazette 31st October 1939.

Promoted to Sqn Ldr with effect 1st July 1940. London Gazette 20th September 1940.

DFC awarded whilst with 616 Sqn. London Gazette 15th December 1942.

Citation: Squadron Leader Harry Lennox Innes BROWN (37060), No. 616 Squadron. Since the war began Squadron Leader Brown has taken part in a large number of operational sorties both in this country and in the Middle East. During the campaigns in Greece and Crete he performed excellent work and destroyed 4 enemy aircraft. Throughout his operational career he has displayed exceptional keenness and leadership.

Transferred to the Reserve of Air Force Officers (RAFO) as a Sqn Ldr. on the 4th April 1944.

Promoted to Wg Cdr with effect 1st January 1944. London Gazette 12th May 1944.

Wg Cdr. Harry Lennox Inns Brown DFC was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD) London Gazette 1st January 1945.

Commission resigned with effect 15th January 1946, retaining the rank of Sqn Ldr. London Gazette 5th February 1946.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: John Harold ‘Jack’ Smithson

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 401252

Air Force: RAAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

DFC
1939-45 Star
Africa Star

Service History:

John Harold Smithson enlisted in the RAAF on the 7th January 1941.

After completing his flying training in Canada he was posted as a Sgt. to 616 Sqn from 58 Operational Training unit (OTU) on the 6th October 1941.

On promotion to Flt Sgt. Smithson he was re-posted to 616 Sqn on the 1st March 1942.

On the 15th May 1942 he was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off.

He was repatriated to Australia, after his one year service in the UK, on the 5th November 1942 for active duty in the Pacific area.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 15th November 1942.

After training courses he was posted to 457 Sqn, RAAF on the 9th March 1943. He was flying the Spitfire Vc out of Livingston Airfield, Northern Territory.

Awarded the DFC on the 11th December 1943.

Citation: Flying Officer Smithson served with No. 616 Squadron in the United Kingdom in active operations against the enemy for twelve months and participated in many offensive seeps over France. After his return to Australia he was posted to No. 457 Squadron on the 5th March 1943. He has completed 120 hours of operational flying comprising 100 sorties, and has destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged four. He has shown outstanding aggressiveness and determination in all his combats with the enemy.

On the night of the 11th November, 1943 while on patrol in the Darwin area, he observed a formation of Japanese bombers. He immediately gave chase and was successful in shooting down two of them.

Flying Officer Smithson’s courage, determination and skill are worthy of the highest praise.

Australian War Memorial image 016411. Flying Officer John Smithson demonstrates to other RAAF pilots how he engaged a formation of three Japanese bombers over Darwin Harbour on the morning of 12 November and shot down two. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this action.

Complete his tour with 457 Sqn on the 30th January 1944.

Promoted to Flt Lt. in the 15th May 1944 whilst at 2 OTU on Flying Instructor duties.

Transferred to the Reserve with effect 10th October 1944 at own request to join Australia National Airways Ltd; later Qantas Empire Airways.

Formally transferred to the RAAF Reserve on the 25th June 1952 as a Flt Lt. General Duties (Pilot).

Biographical Information:

DoB: 22nd October 1918 in Melbourne, Australia.

DoD: 11th July 1966 at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, aged 46.

Burial: C.H. Historic Cemetery, Row V, Plot 24, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

Notes: In his initial flying training assessment’s he was recommended to be employed on Bombers. However, his progress though training revised this assessment to being recommended for Fighters.

Name: Ronald Geoffrey Large

Rank: Pilot Officer (Plt Off)

Number: 113371

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Pilot

Awards: DFC

Service History:

1151080 Sgt. Ronald Geoffrey Large was granted a commission and promoted to 113371 Plt Off. London Gazette 13th January 1942.

On the 13th March 1942 flying the Sqn Magister made a successful forced landing near RAF Wittering (Base) as he ran out of petrol. Took off with refuelled Magister in the process hit a bullock, seriously injuring the animal and writing-off the aircraft. He was uninjured.

On the 30th July 1942 flying Spitfire VI BS108 YQ:? on a Ramrod to St Omer he was forced to bail out after combat with by Bf109Fs of JG26. This was after he had claimed an Fw190, probably destroyed. He was rescued and returned to base.

Awarded the DFC awarded whilst with 616 Sqn. London Gazette 3rd November 1942.

Citation: Pilot Officer Ronald Geoffrey LARGE (113371), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 616 Squadron. In October, 1942, Pilot Officer Large was one of 2 pilots whose aircraft were intercepted near the coast in Northern France by enemy fighters. In the ensuing engagement, Pilot Officer Large destroyed a Focke Wulf 190. His fellow pilot, however, was forced to leave his aircraft by parachute but he descended safely on to the sea a few miles from the enemy's coast. Pilot Officer Large, having expended all his ammunition and running short of petrol, flew on to an aerodrome in this country where he landed and re-fuelled. Without waiting for his aircraft to be re-armed, he took off determined to locate his comrade. In this, he was successful and he continued to fly over the spot until his colleague was picked up by a rescue launch. On the return flight, Pilot Officer Large skilfully eluded enemy fighters which attempted to attack him. This officer's gallantry and forethought set a praiseworthy example.

Promoted to Fg Off with effect 1st October 1943. London Gazette 12th March 1943.

Promoted to Flt Lt with effect 1st December 1943. London Gazette 28th January 1944.

Appointed to the re-constituted RAuxAF retaining the rank of Flt Lt. London Gazette 7th November 1950.

Transferred to the Reserve on the 28th February 1952 as a Flt Lt. London Gazette 26th May 1953.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes:

Name: Jack McGifford Cleland

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 411371

Air Force: RNZAF

Role: Pilot

Awards:

Service History:

Sgt. Jack McGifford Cleland was granted a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect 20th March 1942.

Posted to 616 Sqn on the 9th June 1942 from 55 Operational Training Unit (OTU).

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 1st October 1942.

Flying Spitfire VI BS453 YQ:? on the 4th March 1943 during a Spartan Exercise collided with Spitfire VI BR585 YQ:G (Sgt S.J. Fowler - Successful forced landing) and crashed 10 miles NE of Oxford. Believed to have abandoned successfully.

Promoted to Flt Lt. on the 20th March 1944.

Claimed two Fw190s destroyed on the 12th June 1944 whilst with 616 Sqn. The first at Laval airfield whilst it was taking off, confirmed by Wg Cdr. Brothers, DFC & Bar. The second Fw190 was shot down whilst it was chasing two other Spitfires. The enemy aircraft was seen to spiral into the ground.

Pulling up from this attack his Spitfire VII, MB768 YQ:X was hit by light flak which tore holes in the wing leading edge, cockpit and hood but did not injure him. Despite a damaged engine he managed to make the French Coast at 8000 ft. His engine cut out some 12 miles SW of Portland Bill. He advised his control of a “Mayday” and bailed out at 5000 ft. He was picked up by an ASR launch within 15 mins. He returned to the Sqn soon afterwards.

Flt Lt. Cleland was posted to 53 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 6th October 1944.

Flt Lt. Jack McGifford Cleland was believed to be the only RNZAF pilot to also fly with the US Army Air Force (AAF). He served with the 357th Fighter Group, 363th Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force.

P-51D 44-13573 'Isabel III' assigned to Flt Lt. Cleland with the 357th Fighter Group, 363th Fighter Squadron (Courtesy of the American Air Museum (Roger Freeman Collection))

Ground personnel inspect the crashed P-51D 44-13573 'Isabel III' of the 357th Fighter Group, 363 Fighter Squadron (Courtesy of the American Air Museum (Roger Freeman Collection))

Biographical Information:

DoB: 1st Qtr 1914 in Foxton, Wellington, New Zealand

DoD: 1st February 1970, aged 56

Burial: Taita Lawn Cemetery, Block 11, Row N, Plot 12. Naenae, Lower Hutt City, Wellington.

Notes:

Name: Henry George Schlusser Orton

Rank: Flying Officer (Fg Off)

Number: 124897

Air Force: RAFVR

Role: Intelligence Officer

Awards:

Service History:

To be Fg Off. on probation with effect 22nd July 1942. London Gazette 25th August 1942.

Posted to 616 Sqn from 72 Sqn at Ayr on the 15th September 1942.

Promoted to Flt Lt. with effect 22nd September 1942. London Gazette 25th September 1942.

Biographical Information:

DoB:

DoD:

Burial:

Notes: Administrative and Special Duties Branch

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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