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Air Commodore R A Chisholm (90233)


Roderick Aeneas             b:23 Nov 1911                                                 d: 7 Dec 1994

CBE - 1 Jan 1946, DSO - 14 Jan 1944, DFC - 11 Apr 1941, Bar - 10 Feb 1942, MiD – 1 Jan 1945, MiD – 14 Jun 1945.

(Aux AF): Plt Off: 16 Mar 1931, Fg Off: 16 Sep 1932,

(AuxAF R O): Fg Off: 24 Jan 1935, Flt Lt (WS): 22 Jun 1941, Act Sqn Ldr: xx xxx 1941, Act Wg Cdr: xx Jun 1942, Sqn Ldr (WS): 20 Oct 1942, Act Gp Capt: 3 Dec 1943,  Wg Cdr (WS): 3 Jun 1944, Act A/Cdre: 14 Jun 1944, Gp Capt (WS): 14 Dec 1944.

 

16 Mar 1931:         Pilot, No 604 (County of Middlesex) Sqn Aux AF.  

24 Jan 1935:           Resigned his commission.

24 Jan 1935:           Granted a Commission in Class A of the Auxiliary Air Force Reserve of Officers

xx xxx xxxx :           Flight Commander, No 604 (County of Middlesex) Sqn.

xx Jan 1942:           Controller, RAF Middle Wallop.

30 Mar 1942:         Air Staff, HQ No 81 Group.

xx Aug 1942:          Officer Commanding, Fighter Interception Unit.

 3 Dec 1943:          SASO, HQ No 100 Group.

21 Jul 1945:           Deputy SASO (2), HQ Transport Command

Educated at Ampleforth College and Imperial College of Technology, he worked in the Oil Industry and joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1931.  Transferring to the AuxAF Reserve of Officers in 1935, is career took him to Persia (now Iran) the following year.  On the outbreak of war he reported to HQ British Forces Iraq, was passed fit for flying and returned to the UK in early 1940, where he re-joined No 604 Squadron, now equipped with Beaufighter night-fighters, and between 13 March and 9 July 1941 he gained seven confirmed victories, one probable and one damaged.  In early 1942, he was rested as a controller at Middle Wallop but in March he was posted to HQ No 81 Group.  Here he was responsible for the organisation of the training of night-fighter crews for Fighter Command.

In June he was appointed OC of the Fighter \Interception Unit at Ford and here gained his final two victories, one in Jul 1943 and the other in November.  Having developed bomber support operations with the FIU, he joined the staff of the newly formed No 100 Group as Senior Air Staff Officer.  At the end of the war he undertook the interrogation of Luftwaffe night fighter pilots and he returned to his peace-time employment in 1946.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

 "Flying Officer Roderick Aeneas CHISHOLM (90233), Auxiliary Air Force, No.604 Squadron.

This officer has completed many hours operational flying at night.  He has at all times shown the greatest keenness and determination to seek and destroy the enemy and, during one night in March, 1941, he succeeded in destroying two Heinkel 111's."

(London Gazette – 11 April 1941)

Citation for the award of the Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“Acting Squadron Leader Roderick Aeneas CHISHOLM, D.F.C. (90233) Auxiliary Air Force, No.604 Squadron.

Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March,1941,this officer has destroyed 5 enemy bombers at night, thus bringing his victories to 7 destroyed.  By his exceptional skill, Squadron Leader Chisholm has been largely responsible for the high standard of efficiency shown by his flight.”

 (London Gazette – 10  February 1942)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order

“Acting Group Captain Roderick Aeneus CHISHOLM, D.F.C. (90233), Auxiliary Air Force.

This officer has completed an extremely large number of sorties at night during which he has destroyed 9 enemy aircraft.  He has displayed exceptional skill and keenness and, both in the air and on the ground, his outstanding qualities and personal example have contributed materially to the efficiency of the unit he commands.”

(London Gazette – 14 January 1944)

Further reading: - 'Cover of Darkness', Chatto & Windus, 1953

This page was last updated on 21/12/22

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