Pilot Officer Photo Identification - Battle of France

[Andy Saunders]

He might not have been wearing boots in the incident when he injured his eye (if it was a flying/combat injury?) and may have lost his shoes in that episode...whatever it was! As a result, perhaps boots were all he had left?

Just a thought! Perhaps not that silly a one?

[Iain Torrance]

Andy - What you suggest is clearly a possibility. Another observation is that with the photo 'under glass' it looks like there is a bundle of flying gear behind him.

[Andy Saunders]

Yes, I agree.

So possibly a pilot who has been injured and has just returned to the squadron, perhaps via a dressing station or hospital, and has just arrived back and still in his boots and carrying his kit.

[Iain Torrance]

Andy - possibly, but no record of such an injury in Squadron records (not that saying that means much for the Battle of France and with the ORB written in the UK) and certainly not a known 'face' from the other 103 Sqn pilot photos. Also I think all pilots known to have been at Squadron on that date are accounted for in the photo. That said nothing obvious that fits in fighter records, nor for other Battle Sqns.Hence just a bit of a puzzle !