65 Squadron - OCs

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good morning to all!

I am looking to fill the gaps of the 65 Squadron Commanding Officers, during WW2. This is what I do have up to now...if someone could help me fill the DATES and NAMES it would be great:

1- S/L Desmond Cooke (RAFO 26009) from October 1937 to 08th July 1940
KIA flying Spitfire K9907 (codes ?). He got two Bf 110 probables + 2 Do 17Z + 0,5 shared Do 17Z before getting shot down by a Bf 109 E.

2- S/L Henri Cecil "Sam" Sawyer (RAFO 33144) from 08th July 1940 to 02 August 1940.
KIA taking off for a night patrol aboard Spitfire R6799 (probably lost spacial orientation, etc..)
Had 2 victories (1 Bf 109 on the 8th July + 1 Bf 109 on the 24th July 1940)

3- F/L Gerald Alfred Wellesley Saunders (RAFO 37482) - assumed temporarily as (OC) from ?? to ??

4- S/L A L (Laurie) Holland (RAF number ?? )
Is his RAF number 65204 or 5204? Any information about his full name or RAF service number is most welcomed
FROM ???? to 02nd October 1940
I found an Arthur Leslie Holland (RAFO 42951) who got a MBE and AFM...but it seems to be NOT the same man....

5- S/L Gerald Alfred Wellesley Saunders (RAFO 37482)
Awarded the DFC on the 4/4/1941
Assumed command on the 02nd October 1940 up to ?????

6- S/L John Wolfestran "Pancho" Villa, DFC* (RAFO 39768)
Assumed on ?? August 1941 up to December 1941.
Former 72 and 92 Squadron "ace"...

7- WHO assumed later on ????
8 - ??
9- ??
10 - ??

DOES someone manage to IDENTIFY the 65 Squadron pilots on the enclosed picture? The pilot on the cockpit seems to be the OC 65 Squadron (most probably S/L Saunders, DFC). The officer on the left side seems familiar to me....

Any information is welcomed.

[Brian]

Hi Adriano

65 Squadron COs post S/L Villa:

S/L M. Czernin December 1941-December 1941
S/L H.T. Gilbert December 1941-May 1942
S/L A.C. Bartley DFC May 1942-July 1942
S/L D.A.P. McMullen DFC July1942-September 1942
Cmdt R.G.O.J. Mouchotte September 1942-January 1943
S/L J.E. Storrar DFC January 1943-November 1943
S/L J.C. Grant DFC DFM November 1943-January 1944
S/L G.R.A. Johnston January 1944-March 1944
S/L D.F. Westenra DFC March 1944-July 1944
S/L D.P. Lamb July 1944-September 1944
S/L L.A. Burra-Robinson September 1944-January 1945
S/L I.D.S. Strachan January 1945-January 1945
S/L I.G. Stewart February 1945-March 1945
S/L J.W. Foster March 1945

That's a start!
Cheers
Brian

[niallc]

Adriano

Your AL Holland is Arthur Lawrence HOLLAND (05204). Oddly the London Gazette of 28/02/41 records his transfer to the Technical Branch effective 24/04/40.

HTH
Niall

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Brian
THANK YOU so much for the other names that fill the gap and list of 65 Squadron Commanding Officers, during WW2 period. Thank you very much indeed!

NIALL = the full name of S/L Holland was another PLUS from you! Thank you also!

I now do guess, from the FULL list of Commanding Officers, who may be the Squadron Leader on the cockpit...Thank you!

Adriano

[Chris Goss]

Many years ago I met Holland as he lived just down the road from me. His time with 65 was brief during which time he force-landed and yes, he was much more of an engineer than fighter pilot after 1940

[BruceMk11]

It would appear that F/L DM Davidson (A402321), as 'A' Flight cdr, also briefly led the unit, between the death of S/L Strachan and arrival of S/L Stewart.

Bruce