Confusion re: Herbert Inglesby of 33 Sqn.

[Tom Semenza]

In A History of the Mediterranean Air War, Vols. 1 & 2, H. Inglesby of 33 Sqn. is listed as a Sgt. in November 1941 and as a P/O after late May 1942. Indeed there is a commisioning notice in the London Gazette for 711001 Herbert Inglesby (120027) as of 19 March 1942. So far so good. However the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website shows Inglesby to be a Lieutenant in the SAAF (serv.no. 102235) at the time of his death on 24 June 42!

Help!

Tom

[Alex Smart]

Hello Tom,
Looks like this South African may have transferred from the RAF to the SAAF perhaps sometime after May '42 and before 24 June '42 ?

BUT

See this thread in RAF Commands forum

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...-25-March-1944

re 33 Sqdn list of pilots Sept. 1941 to Jan. 1942:
* indicates photo

Sgt GEORGE ‘Bubbles’ INGLESBY *
So maybe you have the wrong initial not "H" but "G" ?
Alex

[Tom Semenza]

Hi Alex,

The possiblity of the first name being 'George' is interesting but also problematic. The pilot who was MIA/KIA on 24 June 42 is listed as P/O H. Inglesby in Med. Air War, V.2 and as Lt. Herbert Inglesby in CWGC. Both sources show him in 33 Sqn.

Like you, I concidered the possiblity of Inglesby having transferred to the SAAF sometime before his death but still being on the squadron books as RAF at the time of his death. Another possiblilty, now, is two different pilots with the 1941 Inglesby being 'George.'

Perhaps Frank Olynyk can shed further light. Frank?

Cheers,
Tom

[Martin Gleeson]

Tom,

Same man, definitely Herbert and not George.
He appears in an Appendix (page 222) in Volume 2 of Michael Schoeman's 'SPRINGBOK FIGHTER VICTORY: SAAF Fighter Operations 1939-1945'. This appendix lists only three fighter pilots from South Africa and one from Southern Rhodesia and is titled 'Former SAAF members who were killed or died as fighter pilots following transfer to the RAF'.
If I understand it correctly these four were among a number of SAAF recruits who volunteered for transfer to the RAF before the system of attachment and secondment of SAAF personnel was introduced. The four who died, including P/O Herbert Inglesby, were later carried on the SAAF Roll of Honour as commissioned officers in the SAAF even though they did not hold those commissions while alive.
I hope that makes sense !

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Tom Semenza]

Many thanks, Martin. I'd love to get hold of the Springbok Fighter Victories series, but they are now as rare, and more expensive, than dragon's teeth! Here's hoping for a reprinting.

Cheers,
Tom

[paulmcmillan]

Air 78 has a Herbert Inglesby 711001 so be became #120027

I can find a H Inglesby travelling from the UK to South Africa in 1935 but his date of birth 1926 does not match a date of death in 1942 of age 24

I cannot find a H Inglesby on RAF Overseas War Deaths but is listed as Missing and Presumed Dead in Flight

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Just a little taken from the 33 Sqdn ORB.
A/c flown by Herbert in the last few days
Date - a/c serial
20-6-42 - (?)785
22-6-42 - (?)131
23-6-42 - (?)751
23-6-42 - (BP?)224
24-6-42 - (BP?)224
24-6-42 - (Z?)5547-(SOC 28.6.42)

note: Bracketed is mine.

Alex