Alfred W. Wylde A.F.M 611, 66 and 263 Squadrons Sept 1940 to Dec 41 Fighter Command

[Kirmington]

Can anybody give me any more details about Alf Wylde's service with these Squadrons? According to the info I currently have he flew 'interception' flights with 611 Sqn (75 hours), convoy escort with 66 Sqn (112 hours) and offensive sweeps with 263 (43 hours). He was awarded the A.F.M, then went to Bomber Command and flew 36 operations and was awarded the DFC!
Any info gratefully received.

[Chris Goss]

No mention in Aldon Ferguson's history of 611 Sqn, Men of the Battle of Britain or Rob Bowater's history of 263 and 137 Sqns

[Frank Olynyk]

There is a FO Alfred Walter Wylde, AFM, 177939, RAFVR listed in the 2nd volume of the Carter's DFC book. Gazetted on September 25, 1945, page 4750. Noted as 166 Sqn.

You will have to search the online London Gazette for his AFM.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[gedburke3]

Gents,
Not a great deal to add but here goes....

WYLDE, Alfred Walter Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Pilot Sergeant
742217

? - 7 Operational Training Unit RAF 23. 9.40 - 7.10.40 under training
611 (F) Squadron AAF 7.10.40 - 26.11.40
66 (F) Squadron 30.11.40 - ?

British – Enlisted for five years in the Pilot Section of the RAFVR as 742217 Airman Pilot under training, October 1938; called up for permanent service, 1 September 1939


Whilst mentioned in the ORB's for 611 and 66 squadrons he does not appear to have flown operationally during the qualifying period for the Battle of Britain.

Regards
Gerry

[niallc]

Both the Filton and 263 Squadron ORBs report the arrival of Sgt Pilot Wylde from 66 Sqn on 26th May '41. The Sqn ORB reports his departure to 58 OTU just 3 days later (on the 29th). He does not appear to have flown operationally with 263 Sqn during this brief period.

Regards
Niall

[Kirmington]

Thank you Naill. It looks like I have come to the end of the road as far as finding out any details of the ops he flew. K

[Kirmington]

Thank you Chris, Frank and Gerry. I am very grateful for your input. The Squadron details and the hours flown come from Wylde's DFC recommendation. I would be interested to know if he was engaged in any combats.
166 squadron had 2 other pilots who definitely flew in the B of B, Arnfield and Sewell. I have some info on these two.
Thanks again. K

Originally Posted by Kirmington

Can anybody give me any more details about Alf Wylde's service with these Squadrons? According to the info I currently have he flew 'interception' flights with 611 Sqn (75 hours), convoy escort with 66 Sqn (112 hours) and offensive sweeps with 263 (43 hours). He was awarded the A.F.M, then went to Bomber Command and flew 36 operations and was awarded the DFC!
Any info gratefully received.

Fg Off Alf Wylde is/was my Dads Godfather. I am currently researching my Grandfathers activities with bomber command during the war in order to write a book specifically about his 166sqn crew.

My Grandfather was Alf Wyldes Navigator on 166sqn, Fg Off Fred Ricketts.

I understand they undertook their first sortie on 30 October 1944 (Cologne) and their final sortie on 24 March 1945 (Harpenerweg).

I have the 166 Sqn orders of battle from 1943-1945 and the squadron record book entries for October 1944 to March 1945.

My Dad has my grandfathers log book etc..... Although, understandably, he's very protective of it!

As part of my research I am also trying to find out about the other members of the crew and would love to get in touch with families.