RAE test pilots 1940

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

For more on 26056 G/C John Wood Homer RAF, see here:

http://rafcommands.com/forum/showthr...8-7-1944/page2 (Post #3).

and ...

OBITUARY - Fallen Officers.

Group Captain John Wood Homer, whose death on active service is announced, was the last surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. G. J. W. Homer, of Walrond Road, Swanage, Dorset. He was born at Cardiff on July 16, 1907, and educated at Clifton. Entering Cranwell as a cadet in September, 1926, he first served with a bomber squadron, but in 1930 qualified as a flying instructor and in 1932 as an armament specialist. He became a flight lieutenant in 1934, squadron leader in 1938, wing commander in 1942. He had served as armament officer at the air armament school, flying training schools, and at group and command headquarters. From 1934 to 1938 he was armament officer at the R.A.F. Depot in the Middle East Command. Details of his service in the present war have not been revealed. He leaves a widow and one son.

See: The Times. Wednesday, August 2, 1944. p.7 (Issue 49924).

Col.

[RSwank]

I believe Flying Officer Marsh may be Henry 'Harry' Alan Marsh.

Story is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Marsh

or here: http://thetartanterror.blogspot.com/...1901-1950.html

Both mention him being with R.A.E. in 1940.

[RSwank]

Watt: Likely George Ernest Watt.

http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/George_Watt.html


"In 1938 George moved to the Imperial College and was promoted to Squadron Leader on the 1st of February 1939. He remained at the college till war broke out, and he was then posted to Farnborough to become an experimental test pilot."

Also mentioned several times in this for research on G forces on pilots:

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documen...n_Medicine.pdf

[BrianC]

Many thanks, guys

What an excellent response to my query. I'm ever amazed at the combined knowledge just waiting to be utilized! Special thanks to Col and Rolland.

My interest in these guys (plus well-documented Sqn Ldr Arthur Clouston) is that ALL flew at least one operational sortie during the Battle of Britain, flying Spitfires, Hurricanes and Gladiators of the RAE Defence Flight. Without appropriate recognition!

Amendment! Should be Sqn Ldr H.J. 'Willie' Wilson, not L.D. Wilson.

More to come, hopefully

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian

[RSwank]

Hugh Joseph "Willie" Wilson:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Wilson_(RAF_officer)


Too bad we can't find the correct "Sqn Ldr Hayter".

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

In all probability:

24025 W/C Herbert Cecil Douglas "Rex" HAYTER RAFO.

Squadron Leader H. C. D. "Rex" Hayter arrived from the RAE in February 1943 to take over B Per T, and was promoted to take over the newly created B Squadron in September 1944.

See:
The Secret Years Flight Testing at Boscombe Down 1939-1945.
Mason,Tim.
Manchester:Crecy Publishing,2010.
p.28.

https://www.gravestonephotos.com/pub...p?grave=210362

Col.

[BrianC]

Excellent, Col

Full house!

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian