List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (V–Z)

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The following is a list of pilots and other aircrew who flew during the Battle of Britain, and were awarded the Battle of Britain Clasp[1] to the 1939–45 Star by flying at least one authorised operational sortie with an eligible unit of the Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm during the period from 0001 hours on 10 July to 2359 hours 31 October 1940.[2][3]

History[edit]

In 1942, the Air Ministry made the decision to compile a list from records of the names of pilots who had lost their lives as a result of the fighting during the Battle of Britain[notes 1] for the purpose of building a national memorial. This became the Battle of Britain Chapel at Westminster Abbey, which was unveiled by King George VI on 10 July 1947.[4] The Roll of Honour within the Chapel contains the names of 1,497 pilots and aircrew killed or mortally wounded during the Battle.[5]

Nothing was done officially, however, to define the qualifications for the classification of a Battle of Britain airman until 9 November 1960. AMO N850, published by the Air Ministry, stated for the first time the requirements for the awarding of the Battle of Britain Star, and listed the 71 units which were deemed to have been under the control of RAF Fighter Command.[6]

In 1955 Flt Lt John Holloway, a serving RAF officer, began a personal challenge to compile a complete list of "The Few". After fourteen years of research Flt Lt Holloway had 2,946 names on the list. Of these airmen, 537 were killed during the Battle or later died of wounds received.

Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, founded by Geoffrey Page, raised funds for the construction of the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone in Kent. The Memorial, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother on 9 July 1993, shares the site with the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall on which a complete list of "The Few" is engraved.[7]

More recently, the Battle of Britain Monument on the Victoria Embankment in London was unveiled on 18 September 2005 by Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The idea for the monument was conceived by the Battle of Britain Historical Society which then set about raising funds for its construction. The outside of the monument is lined with bronze plaques listing all the Allied airmen who took part in the Battle.[8]

V[edit]

Name Rank Nationality Sqn during Battle Awards Notes
Van-Den Hove d'Ertsenrijck, Albert Emmanuel Alix Dieudonne Jean Ghislain Plt Off BEL 501 & 43 Sqns KIA 11 September 1940
Van-Lierde, Willi E Plt Off BEL 87 Sqn
Van Mentz, Brian Fg Off SA 222 Sqn DFC KIA 26 April 1941 [9][10]
Van-Wayen Berghe, Arthur Albert Leopold Plt Off BEL 236 Sqn KIA 10 March 1941
Varley, George Wallace Plt Off BR 247 & 79 Sqns 1921-1982 Died 11 February 1982
Vašátko, Alois Plt Off CZ 312 Sqn DFC KIA 23 June 1942
Velebrnovski, Antonin Plt Off CZ 1 Sqn KIA 16 July 1941
Venesoen, François Auguste "Sus" Sgt BEL 235 Sqn DFC KIA 6 June 1944 [11]
Verity, Victor Bosanquet Strachan Plt Off NZ 229 Sqn DFC 5 November 1919-2 February 1979
Vesely, Vlastimil Plt Off CZ 312 Sqn
Vick, James Anderson Sqn Ldr BR 607 Sqn (CO) 1908-2000
Vigors, Timothy Ashmead Plt Off BR 222 Sqn DFC 1921-2003 Died 14 November 2003 [12][13]
Viles, Leslie William Sgt BR 236 Sqn 1913-1958
Villa, John Wolferstan "Pancho" Flt Lt BR 72 & 92 Sqns DFC Died 1983
Vincent, Stanley Flamank Gp Capt BR 257 & 229 Sqns CB, DFC, AFC, DL Retired as AVM in 1950; died 13 March 1976.
Vindis, Frantisek Sgt CZ 310 Sqn
Vinyard, Frederick Fenton Sgt BR 64 Sqn MIA 6 October 1940
Voase-Jeff, Robert Flt Lt BR 87 Sqn DFC*, CdeG KIA 11 August 1940
Vokes, Arthur Frank Plt Off BR 19 Sqn KIA 5 September 1941 (Pilot)
Vopalecky, Josef Warrant Officer CZ 310 Sqn
Vrana, Adolf Fg Off CZ 312 Sqn
Vybiral, Tomas Plt Off CZ 312 Sqn DFC, DSO Died 21 February 1981 [14]
Vykoukal, Karel Jan Plt Off CZ 111 & 73 Sqns Born Chotebor, Czechoslovakia 20 December 1916; KIA 21 May 1942 [15]

W[edit]

Name Rank Nationality Sqn during Battle Awards Notes
Waddingham, John Plt Off BR 141 Sqn DFC KIA 27 September 1942 (Malta)
Wade, Trevor Sidney "Wimpy" Plt Off BR 92 Sqn DFC, AFC Later a test pilot for Hawker. KIFA 1951 when the Hawker P.1081 prototype crashed.
Wadham, John Victor Sgt BR 145 Sqn KIA 12 October 1940 aged 21 as a Pilot of Hurricane V7426 which was shot down by Bf 109s over Hastings and crashed near Cranbrook.[16]
Waghorn, Peter Harry Sgt BR 249 & 111 Sqns KIA 11 April 1941 (Malta)
Wagner, Alan Derek Sgt BR 151 Sqn KIA 17 July 1944 (Pilot)
Wainwright, Alec George Plt Off BR 151 Sqn KIA 21 January 1941
Wainwright, Michael Terry Plt Off BR 64 Sqn AFC Surviving aircrew [citation needed] (born 1919)
Waite, Edward Sgt BR 29 Sqn MIA 31 July 1940 aged 24 following a collision between Blenheims L6722 and L1408 over the Bristol Channel.[16]
Wake, Frederick William Sgt BR 264 Sqn
Wakefield, Herbert Kenneth Plt Off BR 235 Sqn DFC
Wakeham, Ernest Cecil John Plt Off BR 145 Sqn DFC MIA 8 August 1940
Wakeling, Sidney Richard Ernest Sgt BR 87 Sqn KIA 25 August 1940 when his Hurricane V7250 was shot down inflames over Portland.[16]
Walch, Stuart Crosby Flt Lt AUS 238 Sqn KIA 11 August 1940
Walker, George Arthur Sgt BR 232 Sqn
Walker, James Arthur "Johnnie" Fg Off CAN 111 Sqn DFC KIA 8 February 1944, Singapore
Walker, John Harold Gilbert Fg Off BR 25 Sqn KIA 9 May 1942 (Pilot)
Walker, James Ian Bradley Sgt NZ 600 Sqn Died 2009.
Walker, James Richard Fg Off CAN 611 & 41 Sqns KIFA when aircraft ran out of fuel at sea between HMS Argus and Malta (transfer to 261 Sqn), 16 November 1940, aged 20. Robert J. Boret died in the same incident.
Walker, Norman MacDonald Sgt BR 615 Sqn MIA 2 June 1941 (Malta)
Walker, Robert James Plt Off BR 72 Sqn DSO
Walker, Stanley Sgt BR 236 Sqn KIA 12 February 1942
Walker, William Louis Buchanan Plt Off BR 616 Sqn AE Surviving aircrew[17]
Walker-Smith, Francis Richard Sgt BR 85 Sqn KIA 13 March 1941 (Pilot)
Wallace, Clarence Alfred Blake Plt Off CAN 3 Sqn KIA 27 October 1941
Wallace, Thomas Young Sgt SA[18] 610 & 111 Sqns DFM KIA 11 November 1944[19] (Pilot)
Wallen, Dennis Stanley Flt Lt BR 604 Sqn
Wallens, Ronald Walter "Wally" Plt Off BR 41 Sqn DFC WIA 5 September 1940. Died 13 November 1995.[20][21]
Waller, George Alfred Sgt BR 29 Sqn DFC Died 1983
Walley, Peter Kenneth Sgt BR 615 Sqn KIA 18 August 1940 (Pilot)
Wallis, Donald Sylvester Sgt BR 235 Sqn KIA 22 February 1941
Walmsley, Harold William Sgt BR 248 Sqn MIA 13 December 1940
Walsh, Edmund Sgt BR 141 Sqn
Walsh, John Joseph Plt Off CAN 615 Sqn WIA 2 March 1941 (Malta)
Walsh, John Patrick Sgt BR 616 Sqn KIFA 4 August 1940 when his Spitfire N3271 spun into the ground during dog fight training.[16]
Walsh, Robert William Meade Sub Lt (FAA) BR 111 Sqn
Walton, Herbert Sgt BR 87 Sqn
Want, William Hudson Sgt BR 248 Sqn MIA 19 August 1940 when his Bristol Blenheim went missing of south Norwegian coast during a reconnaissance flight.[16]
Wapniarek, Stefan Plt Off POL 302 Sqn VM, KW KIA 18 October 1940 when his Hurricane P3872 crashed during an attempted forced landing on return from a patrol in bad weather.[16]
Ward, Derek Harland Fg Off NZ 87 Sqn DFC* KIA 17 June 1942 (North Africa)[22]
Ward, The Hon Edward Frederick Sqn Ldr BR 601 Sqn Died April 1987
Ward, John Lewis Plt Off BR 32 Sqn KIA 20 March 1942
Ward, Rufus Arthur Sgt BR 66 Sqn KIA 8 October 1940 when he was killed following a bale out from his Spitfire N3043 which was shot down in combat with Bf 109s over Kent.[16]
Ward, William Bruce Sgt BR[notes 2] 604 Sqn KIA 6 April 1943
Ward-Smith, Peter Sgt BR 610 Sqn
Warden, Noel Proctor Sgt BR 610 Sqn KIA 1 October 1941
Ware, Ralph Taverham Sgt BR 3 Sqn KIA 21 January 1945
Wareham, Michael Percy Plt Off BR 1 Sqn DFC KIA 21 January 1945 (?)
Wareing, Philip Thomas Sgt BR 616 Sqn DCM Taken POW 26 August 1940 but escaped. Died May 1987[23]
Waring, William Sgt BR 23 Sqn
Warner, William Henry Cromwell Flt Lt BR 610 Sqn MIA 16 August 1940 when he failed to return in his Spitfire R6802 after combat with Bf 109s.[16]
Warren, Charles Plt Off BR 152 Sqn DFC Died 19 October 2005
Warren, Douglas Albert Palmer Plt Off BR 248 Sqn KIA 9 February 1941
Warren, John Benjamin William AC1 BR 600 Sqn KIA 8 August 1940 when Blenheim L8665 was shot down in flames into the sea near Ramsgate, Kent.[16]
Warren, Stanley Sgt BR 1 Sqn MIA 9 October 1940 when his Hurricane V7376 failed to return during a formation flight in cloud over the Wash.[16]
Warren, Thornton Arrowsmith Sgt BR 236 Sqn
Waterston, Robin McGregor Fg Off BR 603 Sqn KIA 31 August 1940 when his Spitfire X4273 was shot down by Bf 109s over London.[16]
Watkins, Douglas Herbert Fg Off BR 611 Sqn DFC Died 1969
Watkinson, Arthur Basil Plt Off SA 66 Sqn Died 18 October 1985
Watling, William Charles Plt Off BR 92 Sqn KIA 7 February 1941
Watson, Arthur Roy Plt Off BR 152 Sqn KIA 28 November 1940
Watson, Edward James Plt Off BR 605 Sqn KIA 26 February 1942
Watson, Evan Owens Plt Off BR 64 Sqn
Watson, Fredrick Stanley Plt Off CAN 3 Sqn KIA 11 October 1941
Watson, John Gordon AC2 BR 604 Sqn
Watson, Lionel George Plt Off BR 29 Sqn
Watson, Rafael F Fg Off BR 87 Sqn
Watson-Parker, Patrick Ian Sgt BR 610 Sqn KIA 13 July 1940 when his Spitfire R6807 crashed during a routine patrol, cause not known.[16]
Watters, Joseph Plt Off NZ 236 Sqn Died 18 April 1981
Watts, Edwin Leslie Sgt BR 248 Sqn KIA 13 April 1943
Watts, Roy Fredrick Flt Lt BR 253 Sqn
Watts, Reginald Douglas Haig Sgt BR 235 Sqn MIA 11 September 1940 when his Blenheim was shot down by Bf 109s and crashed into the sea.[16]
Way, Basil Hugh "Wonky" Flt Lt BR 54 Sqn KIA 25 July 1940 when his Spitfire R6707 crashed into the sea following combat with a Bf 109.[16][24]
Way, Lewis Benjamin Roger Plt Off BR 229 Sqn
Wczelik, Antoni Fg Off POL 302 Sqn KW** KIA 14 April 1942[25]
Weaver, Percy Stevenson Fg Off BR 56 Sqn MIA 31 August 1940 when his Hurricane V7378 was shot down by fighters and crashed into the River Blackwater.[16]
Webb, Paul Clifford Fg Off BR 602 Sqn DFC, CBE 10 March 1918-10 July 2007
Webber, Wyndham Frederick Peirson Plt Off BR 141 Sqn
Weber, Frantisek Plt Off CZ 145 Sqn
Weber, Jack Sgt BR 1 Sqn Died 1988
Webster, Ernest Reginald Sgt BR 73 Sqn
Webster, Frederick Kinnersley Plt Off BR 610 Sqn KIA 26 August 1940 (Pilot)
Webster, Herbert Garth Sgt BR 73 Sqn KIA 14 April 1941
Webster, John Terence "Terry" Fg Off BR 41 Sqn DFC KIA 5 September 1940[26]
Wedgwood, Jefferson Heywood Flt Lt BR 253 Sqn DFC KIA 17 December 1942
Wedlock, Gordon Victor Sgt BR 235 Sqn DFM
Wedzik, Marian Sgt POL 302 Sqn VM, KW***, DFC Died 10 October 1977
Weir, Archibald Nigel Charles Plt Off BR 45 Sqn DFC MIA 7 November 1940 (his brother Maj. Adrian John Anthony Weir MC was also KIA)
Welch, Eric Sgt BR 604 Sqn KIA 17 December 1941
Welford, George Henry Ettrick Plt Off BR 607 Sqn
Wells, Edward Preston "Hawkeye" Plt Off NZ 266 & 41 Sqns DSO, DFC* Died 2005[27]
Wells, Patrick Hardy Vesey "Pat" Fg Off BR 249 Sqn DSO Died 2002
Wellum, Geoffrey Harris Augustus "Boy" Plt Off BR 92 Sqn DFC Died 18 July 2018 (born 1921)
Wendel, Kenneth Victor Fg Off NZ 504 Sqn KIA 7 September 1940[28]
Westlake, George Herbert Plt Off BR 43 & 616 Sqns DFC Died 18 January 2006.
Westmoreland, Thomas Emyrs Sgt BR 616 Sqn MIA 25 August 1940 when he failed to return in Spitfire R6966 after combat with Bf 109s over Canterbury.[16]
Whall, Basil Ewart Patrick Sgt BR 602 Sqn DFM KIA 7 October 1940
Wheeler, Norman John Flt Lt BR 610 Sqn & 615 Sqn AFC

<www.bbm.org.uk/Wendel.htm|title=Battle of Britain London Monument >

Whipps, George Albert Sgt BR 602 Sqn KIA 26 August 1941
Whitbread, Herbert Laurance Plt Off BR 222 Sqn KIA 20 September 1940
White, Blair Eustace Galloway Flt Lt BR 504 Sqn MIA 5 July 1943 (Malta)
White, John Sgt BR 72 Sqn KIA 14 June 1941 (Egypt)
White, John William Plt Off BR 3 Sqn & FIU Surviving aircrew[citation needed]
White, Robert Sgt BR 235 Sqn Surviving aircrew[citation needed]
Whitehead, Clifford Sgt BR 56 Sqn KIA 4 July 1942
Whitfield, Joseph James Sgt BR 56 Sqn MIA 13 July 1940
Whitley, David "Bull" Plt Off BR 264 Sqn KIA 28 August 1940
Whitley, Eric William Sqn Ldr NZ 245 Sqn (CO) DSO, DFC Died 25 October 1973
Whitney, Douglas Mitchell Plt Off NZ 245 Sqn Died 1981
Whitsun, Alfred Daniel Sgt BR 236 Sqn MIA 6 May 1941
Whittick, Harry George Sgt BR 604 Sqn
Whittingham, Charles Derek Fg Off BR 151 Sqn Died 8 April 1958
Whitty, William Hubert Rigby Flt Lt BR 607 Sqn DFC Died 2003 Canada
Whitwell, Peter Coulson Sgt BR 600 Sqn MIA 6/7 November 1942
Wickings-Smith, Peter Claude Plt Off BR 235 Sqn MIA 11 September 1940
Wickins, Arthur Stanley Sgt BR 141 Sqn DFC
Wicks, Bryan John Fg Off BR 56 Sqn KIA 12 October 1942
Widdows, Stanley Charles Sqn Ldr BR 29 Sqn (CO) CB, DFC Died 10 January 2010
Wigg, Ronald George Fg Off NZ 65 Sqn Died 4 August 1976
Wigglesworth, John Spencer Plt Off BR 238 Sqn KIA 6 February 1942
Wight, Ronald Derek Gordon Flt Lt BR 213 Sqn KIA 11 August 1940
Wightman, Owen Maurice Mid (FAA) BR 151 Sqn KIA 30 June 1941
Wilcox, Charles Sgt BR 248 Sqn KIA 21 May 1942
Wilcox, Edgar John Fg Off BR 72 Sqn KIA 31 August 1940
Wildblood, Timothy Seddon Plt Off BR 152 Sqn MIA 25 August 1940 when he failed to return in Spitfire R6994 from combat over the channel.;[16]
Wilde, Denis Clifton Plt Off BR 236 Sqn Died 1989
Wilkes, Geoffrey Norman Sgt BR 213 Sqn MIA 12 August 1940
Wilkinson, Kenneth Astill Sgt BR 616 Sqn Died 2017[29][30][31]
Wilkinson, Royce Clifford Fg Off BR 3 Sqn OBE, DFM* [32]
Wilkinson, Rodney Levett Sqn Ldr BR 266 Sqn KIA 16 August 1940
Wilkinson, Wilfred Arthur Sgt BR 501 Sqn
Willans, Derek Alan Plt Off BR 23 Sqn DFC KIA 28 May 1941[33]
Willcocks, Peter Hamilton Sgt BR 610 & 66 Sqn KIA 28 November 1940
Williams, Cedric Watcyn Sqn Ldr BR 17 Sqn MIA 25 August 1940 after Hurricane R4199 crashed near Portland after being badly damaged in a head-on attack with a Bf 110.[16]
Williams, Dennis Conon Fg Off BR 141 Sqn KIA 4 April 1941
Williams, Desmond Gordon Plt Off BR 92 Sqn DFC KIA 10 October 1940
Williams, Eric Edward Flt Sgt BR 46 Sqn MIA 15 October 1940
Williams, Gwilym Trevor Sgt BR 219 Sqn OBE, DFM
Williams, Mark Alan Plt Off BR 604 Sqn
Williams, Thomas Draper Plt Off BR 611 Sqn DFC
Williams, William Dudley Plt Off BR 152 Sqn DFC Died April 1976.[34]
Williams, Wycliff Stuart Plt Off NZ Sqn KIA 21 October 1940[35]
Willis, Ronald Frank AC BR 219 Sqn KIA 8 February 1941
Willis, William Owen Sgt NZ 600 Sqn Died 23 April 1969
Wills, William Claude Sgt BR 3 & 73 Sqn KIA 12 April 1941 (Libya)
Wilsdon, Albert Alfred Sgt BR 29 Sqn KIA 19 December 1940
Wilson, Donald Fraser Fg Off NZ 141 Sqn
Wilson, Douglas Strachan Flt Lt BR 610 Sqn Died 1985
Wilson, Leonard Donald Plt Off BR 29 Sqn Died 1987
Wilson, Robert Roy Plt Off CAN 111 Sqn MIA 11 August 1940
Wilson, William Sgt BR 235 Sqn DFM
Wilson, William Charles AC2 BR 29 Sqn KIA 12 April 1941
Wilson-Macdonald, D S Sqn Ldr BR 213 Sqn (CO)
Wingfield, Victor John Sgt BR 29 Sqn KIA 11 May 1941
Winn, Charles Vivian Fg Off BR 29 Sqn DSO, DFC
Winskill, Archibald Little "Archie" Plt Off BR 72 & 603 Sqns DFC Died 9 August 2005[36]
Winstanley, John Sgt BR 151 Sqn
Winter, Douglas Cyril Plt Off BR 72 Sqn KIA 5 September 1940[37]
Winter, Richard Arthur Fg Off BR 247 Sqn Died 1970
Wise, John Francis Sgt BR 141 Sqn MIA 19 July 1940
Wiseman, William Douglas Plt Off BR 600 Sqn
Wissler, Denis Heathcote Plt Off BR 17 Sqn MIA 11 November 1940
Withall, Latham Carr Flt Lt AUS 152 Sqn MIA 12 August 1940
Witorzenc, Stefan Fg Off POL 501 Sqn VM, KW**, DFC Died 30 December 1994 in Poland
Własnowolski, Bolesław Andrzej Plt Off POL 32, 607 & 213 Sqns VM, KW KIA 1 November 1940[38]
Wojcicki, Antoni Sgt POL 213 Sqn MIA 11 September 1940
Wojciechowski, Miroslaw I Sgt POL 303 Sqn VM, KW**
Wojtowicz, Stefan Sgt POL 303 Sqn VM KIA 11 September 1940
Wolfe, Edward Chatham Flt Lt BR 219 & 141 Sqns DFC [39]
Wolton, Ralph Sgt BR 152 Sqn
Wood, Kenneth Russell Sgt BR S23 qn KIA 10 July 1941
Wood, Stanley Victor Sgt BR 248 Sqn POW 20 October 1940
Woodgate, Joseph Eric Sgt BR 141 Sqn MIA 24 August 1943
Woodger, David Noel Plt Off BR 235 Sqn MIA 24 August 1940
Woodhall, Alfred Basil Wg Cdr BR 310 Sqn Czechoslovak Military Cross
Woodland, Norman Naylor Sgt BR 236 Sqn
Woods-Scawen, Charles Anthony "Tony" Plt Off BR 43 Sqn DFC KIA 2 September 1940
Woods-Scawen, Patrick Philip "Woody" Fg Off BR 85 Sqn DFC KIA 1 September 1940
Woodward, Herbert John Fg Off BR 64 & 23 Sqns DFC KIA 30 October 1940[40]
Woodward, Robert Sinckler Fg Off BR 600 Sqn DFC MIA 7 December 1942[41]
Woolley, Arthur William Sgt BR 601 Sqn
Wootten, Ernest Wait "Bertie" BR 234 Sqn CBE, DFC*, AFC Died 1999
Wordsworth, Douglas Kenneth Alfred Fg Off BR 235 Sqn DFC KIA 30 October 1941 (El Alamein)[42]
Worrall, John "Barron" Sqn Ldr BR 32 Sqn DFC Retired as AVM in 1963. Died 14 January 1988
Worrall, Pyers Arthur Plt Off BR 85 & 249 Sqns KIA 8 June 1942 (India) (Pilot)
Worrall, Thomas Victor Sub Lt (FAA) BR 111 Sqn KIA 20 February 1941
Worsdell, Kenneth Wilson Fg Off BR 219 Sqn KIA 30 October 1940 (Pilot)[43]
Worthington, Alec Sillavan Fg Off BR 219 Sqn
Wotton, Harold John Sgt BR 234 Sqn KIA 25 January 1941
Wright, Alexander James Lt (FAA) BR 804 NAS
Wright, Allan Richard Fg Off BR 92 Sqn DFC*, AFC Surviving aircrew (born 1920)
Wright, Daniel Leslie Sgt BR 235 Sqn KIA 24 August 1940 (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Wright, Eric William "Ricky" Sgt BR 605 Sqn CBE DFC DFM AE Retired as Air Cdre in 1973; died 5 November 2007
Wright, John Sgt BR 79 Sqn KIA 5 September 1940 (Pilot)
Wright, William Plt Off BR 604 Sqn KIA 26 August 1941
Wroblewski, Zbigniew T A Plt Off POL 302 Sqn VM, KW**
Wunsche, Kazimierz Roman Sgt POL 303 Sqn VM, KW***, DFM WIA 9 September 1940, died 1980
Wyatt, John Pile LAC BR 25 Sqn KIA 15 September 1940[44]
Wyatt-Smith, Peter Plt Off BR 263 Sqn KIA 5 January 1945 (Pilot)
Wydrowski, Bronislaw Plt Off POL 607 Sqn
Wynn, Richard Edward Ney Elias Plt Off BR 249 Sqn KIA 7 April 1941 (Pilot)

Y[edit]

Name Rank Nationality Sqn during Battle Awards Notes
Yapp, Derek Sydney Sqn Ldr BR 245 & 253 Sqns DFC* Survived War, Captain for British Airways. Died 14 June 2012 in Devon at age 93.
Yates, Gordon Sgt BR 248 Sqn 4 Jun 1921-1993 Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (Blenheim)[45]
Yates, T M Sgt BR 64 Sqn
Yates, William AC2 BR 604 Sqn Radar Operator
York, Ronald Lewis Sgt BR 610 Sqn 1920-1942 KIFA 28 March 1942[45] (Miles Master W8640)
Young, Cecil Reginald "Charlie" Plt Off BR 615, 607 & 46 Sqns KIA 5 December 1940 when Hurricane V7617 crahed near Wrotham, Kent[46][47][48]
Young, James Harold Plt Off BR 234 Sqn
Young, James Hugh Roumieu Plt Off BR 74 Sqn KIA 28 July 1940 aged 22. Shot down by a Bf 109 while flying Spitfire P9547 which crashed in the Channel near Goodwin Sands.[16][49]
Young, John Reginald Cass Fg Off BR 249 Sqn AFC, MiD, MiD 19 Jul 1915-20 Feb 2007 Joined BOAC in 1945[48]
Young, James Stewart Plt Off BR 234 Sqn Born 1915, Canada[45]
Young, Michael Hugh Plt Off BR 264 Sqn DFC died 1998
Young, Robert Bett Mirk Sgt NZ 264 Sqn 1 August 1918-8 October 1940 Air Gunner KIA while flying as an Observer in Defiant N1627 which crashed at Marlow, possibly due to enemy action.[16] aged 22[50][51][52]
Young, Randolph Charles Sgt BR 23 Sqn Born 14 Sep 1911[53]
Yuile, Arthur McLeod Fg Off CAN 1 Sqn RCAF Born 6 June 1917 Bailed Out of Hurricane R4171 after an engagement with Dornier 17s near West Malling, Kent.[52] Wounded in the shoulder after combat with Bf 109 and He 111 south of London on 15 September 1940, landed his damaged Hurricane L1793 at RAF Northolt.[52]
Yule, Robert Duncan Plt Off NZ 145 Sqn DSO, DFC* 2 January 1920-11 September 1953 KIFA when his Meteor F8 WF695 collided with another Meteor while avoiding a Hurricane during a Battle of Britain flypast rehearsal, crashed near Woolwich Arsenal and later died in Hospital.[54][55][56]

Z[edit]

Name Rank Nationality Sqn during Battle Awards Notes
Zak, Walerian Plt Off POL 303 Sqn VM, KW***, DFC 14 April 1911-13 March 1969 For two weeks Squadron Leader of 303 Squadron, later 308 Squadron Leader and 3rd Polish Fighter Wing Commander.[3][54]
Zaluski, Jerzy Sgt POL 302 Sqn 16 August 1916-17 October 1940[3] KIA when Hurricane V7417 overturned when attempting a forced landing at Colliers End.[16][54]
Zaoral, Vladimir Plt Off CZ 310 & 501 Sqns 5 November 1915-19 November 1941 KIA failed to recover from a spin in low cloud [53][3]
Zatonski, Alexander Roman Plt Off AME 79 Sqn 1 November 1915 - 6 December 1941 (aged 26) MIA[57]
Zavoral, Antonin Sgt CZ 1 Sqn 14 January 1917-31 May 1941 MIA Failed to return from a sortie over France[53][3]
Zenker, Pawel Plt Off POL 501 Sqn KW** 25 December 1914-24 August 1940 MIA in Hurricane P3141 following combat with Do 17s and Bf 109s off Dover.[16][3] [53]
Zima, Rudolph Sgt CZ 310 Sqn [3] Died 1970s
Zimprich, Stanislav Plt Off CZ 310 Sqn 3 March 1916-12 April 1942 KIA Collision with another Spitfire[3][53]
Zukowski, Aleksiej Plt Off POL 302 Sqn KW 28 March 1911-18 October 1940 KIA in Hurricane V7651 when it ran out of fuel during bad weather near Detling[53][3][16]
Zumbach, Jan Eugeniusz Ludwig Plt Off POL 303 Sqn VM, KW***, DFC* 14 Apr 1915-3 January 1986[3][58]
Zurakowski, Janusz "Jan" Plt Off POL 234 & 609 Sqns VM, KW** 12 September 1914-9 February 2004 Canada Post war test pilot for Gloster and Avro Canada.[59][60]

Notes on table[edit]

  • Ranks given are those held during the Battle of Britain, although a higher rank may have been achieved after the Battle.
  • All individuals listed in bold and highlighted in silver are believed to be still alive.
  • Aircrew listed as KIA, MIA, WIA or KIFA during the Battle of Britain are highlighted in blue.
  • The awards listed include those made during the Battle of Britain and during the remainder of World War II, as well as any made post-war.
  • In order to limit the numbers of footnotes which would otherwise be required, the symbol ‡ under "Notes" indicates several entries in the text of Ramsay 1989, while the symbol † indicates that information on the circumstances under which an airman became a casualty during the Battle is included in the text of the book. Where more than one crew member of a multi place aircraft was involved this is included as a cross-reference under "Notes"
  • In addition to 2,353 British aircrew, the RAF Roll of Honour recognises 574 personnel from other countries;[3] namely:
Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Ireland, Jamaica, Newfoundland, New Zealand, Poland, Rhodesia, South Africa and the United States.[61]

Abbreviations[edit]

Nationalities[edit]

AME American
AUS Australian
BEL Belgian
BR British
CAN Canadian
CZ Czechoslovakian
FR French
IRE Irish
NZ New Zealander
POL Poland
RHO Rhodesian
SA South African

Awards[edit]

Award Title Notes
AE Air Efficiency Award Awarded for ten years' efficient service in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
AFC Air Force Cross Awarded for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy".
CB Companion of The Order of the Bath Awarded at the monarch's pleasure
CDeG Croix de Guerre A military decoration of both France and Belgium, also commonly bestowed to foreign military forces allied to France and Belgium.
CdeL Croix de la Libération A decoration of France awarded for very meritorious conduct with the Free French Forces during World War II.
CdeLd'H Croix de Légion d'honneur A decoration of France awarded for excellent civil or military conduct delivered, upon official investigation.
CdeLL Croix de L'Ordre de Leopold Awarded to Belgian nationals or some distinguished foreign persons who made very important contributions to the Belgian state or society.
DFC Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded to Royal Air Force commissioned officers and Warrant Officers for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".[citation needed]
DFC* Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC who received a second award.
DFC** Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar A second bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC and Bar who received a third award.
DFM Distinguished Flying Medal Awarded to military below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".[citation needed]
DSO Distinguished Service Order Awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.
DSO* Distinguished Service Order and Bar A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DSO who received a second award.
DSO** Distinguished Service Order and Two Bars A second bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DSO and Bar who received a third award.
GCB Knight Grand Cross of The Order of the Bath Awarded at the monarch's pleasure
KCVO Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Awarded for personal service to the sovereign
KStJ Knight of the Order of Saint John
KW Krzyz Walecznych, Polish "Cross of Valour" Awarded to an individual who "has demonstrated deeds of valour and courage on the field of battle."
KZ Krzyz Zaslugi, Polish "Cross of Merit" Awarded for exemplary public service or humanitarian work that goes above and beyond the call of duty.
MBE Member of the Order of the British Empire Awarded at the monarch's pleasure
MC Military Cross Awarded for "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank".[citation needed]
MM Military Medal Awarded for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire
OBE Officer of the Order of the British Empire Awarded at the monarch's pleasure
OStJ Officer of the Order of Saint John
VC Victoria Cross Highest British military decoration, awarded for valour in the face of the enemy.
VM Virtuti Militari Highest Polish military award for courage in the face of the enemy.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ This was initially regarded as being from 8 August to 31 October 1940; however, the dates were later amended to also include those who lost their lives between 10 July and 7 August.
  2. ^ Listed on CWGC website as Australian
Citations
  1. ^ The MOD
  2. ^ "The Battle of Britain Historical Society". Battleofbritain1940.net. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/roll.html Archived 12 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Roll of Honour
  4. ^ Ramsay 1989, p. 253.
  5. ^ The Royal Air Force Chapel, Westminster Abbey Archived 5 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine RAF media files. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  6. ^ Ramsay 1989, p.254.
  7. ^ Home page Archived 23 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  8. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument – project history Archived 2 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  9. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site re Brian Van Mantz Archived 9 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Brian Van Mentz profile Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ François Venesoen's Battle of Britain London Monument profile Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site Archived 9 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Timothy Vigors' profile Archived 4 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Tomas Vybiral profile Archived 16 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Karel Vykoukal profile Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Ramsey 1996, pp. 314-533
  17. ^ William Louis Buchanan Walker profile Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Listed as British
  19. ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - Sgt. T Y Wallace". Bbm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  20. ^ "The Pilots of 41 Squadron RAF, 1939-1945". Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  21. ^ "The Crash of Pilot Officer R. W. "Wally" Wallens, 1940". Brew.clients.ch. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  22. ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - F/Lt. D H WARD". Bbm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  23. ^ "Sergeant Wareing 616 Squadron". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  24. ^ "Flight Lieutenant Basil Way". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  25. ^ "Pilot Officer Wczelik 317 Squadron". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  26. ^ "The Loss of Flight Lieutenant John T. Webster, 1940". Brew.clients.ch. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  27. ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - P/O E P WELLS". Bbm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  28. ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - F/O K V Wendel". Bbm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  29. ^ "Battle of Britain pilot Kenneth Wilkinson dies aged 99". BBC News. August 2017.
  30. ^ MOD-Battle of Britain website re Kenneth Wilkinson
  31. ^ Kenneth Wilkinson profile Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  32. ^ "Flying Officer Wilkinson 121 Squadron". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  33. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. 28 May 1941. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  34. ^ "Pilot Officer Williams 121 Squadron". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  35. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. 21 October 1940. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  36. ^ "Air Commodore Winskill". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  37. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  38. ^ "Battle of Britain London Monument - P/O B A WLASNOWOLSKI". Bbm.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  39. ^ "Wing Commander Wolfe 64 Squadron". Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  40. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. 30 October 1940. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  41. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  42. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. 30 October 1941. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  43. ^ Beaufighter R2065 crashed into trees near Balcombe Place, Balcombe. Worsdell and Sgt E C Gardiner were killed
  44. ^ "Casualty Details". CWGC. 15 September 1940. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  45. ^ a b c Wynn 1992, p.207
  46. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  47. ^ Cecil Reginald Young profile Archived 26 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  48. ^ a b Wynn 1989, P. 448
  49. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  50. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site Archived 11 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  51. ^ CWGC entry
  52. ^ a b c Wynne 1989, P.449
  53. ^ a b c d e f Wynn 1992, p.208
  54. ^ a b c Wynn 1989, P. 450
  55. ^ New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum site Archived 25 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  56. ^ "Battle of Britain pilot gave his life to save Arsenal". Daily Herald. 12 September 1953. p. 2.
  57. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument site Archived 13 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ Wynn 1989, P. 451
  59. ^ "Battle of Britain". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  60. ^ Biography Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  61. ^ Battle of Britain London Monument – participants Archived 22 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 15 April 2009

Bibliography[edit]

  • Ramsay, Winston, ed. The Battle of Britain Then and Now Mk V. London: Battle of Britain Prints International Ltd, 1989. ISBN 0-900913-46-0.
  • Ringlstetter, Herbert (2005). Helmut Wick, An Illustrated Biography of the Luftwaffe Ace And Commander of Jagdgeschwader 2 During The Battle of Britain. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-2217-6.
  • Wynn, Kenneth G, 'Men of the Battle of Britain'. Gliddon Books 1989. ISBN 0-947-893-15-6
  • Wynn, Kenneth G, 'Men of the Battle of Britain (Supplementary Volume)', Gliddon Books 1992. ISBN 0-947-893-25-3
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