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Air Commodore J L W Ellacombe (43031)


John Lawrence Wemyss        b: 28 Feb 1920                        r: 16 Apr 1973                d: 11 May 2014

CB – 13 Jun 1970, DFC – 7 Apr 1942, Bar – 29 Dec 1944, MBIM.

Act Plt Off (P): 23 Mar 1940, Plt Off (P): 13 Jul 1940, Plt Off: 20 Sep 1940, Fg Off (WS): 13 Jul 1941, Flt Lt (WS): 13 Jul 1942, (T) Sqn Ldr: 13 Jul 1942, Flt Lt: 12 Nov 1946 [1 Sep 1945], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1949, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1955, Act Gp Capt: 23 May 1960, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1961, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1968.

xx Sep 1939:          U/T pilot, No 2 FTS.

14 Jul 1940:            Pilot, No 151 Sqn.

15-xx Aug 1940:          Hospitalised

31 Aug - 24 Dec 1940:          Hospitalised and Recuperation

xx Feb 1942:          Flight Commander, No 253 Sqn.

20 Sep 1943:         Transferred to RAFO and called up for service

xx xxx xxxx:           Flight Commander, No 151 Sqn

xx xxx xxxx:           Attended No 1655 Mosquito Training Unit?

xx xxx 1944:          Officer Commanding, No 487 (RNZAF) Sqn.

 8 Sep 1944:          Officer Commanding, No 2 Sqn, No 60 OTU.

12 Nov 1946:        Appointed to a Permanent Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (wef 1 Sep 1945)

xx xxx 1946:          Staff Officer, Directorate of Accident Prevention

 1 Jun 1947:           Air Staff, HQ British Forces, Aden

28 Feb 1948:         Staff Officer, Directorate of Personal Services

xx Aug 1950:         Officer Commanding, No 1 Sqn. (Meteor F4/F8).

20 Nov 1952:        Air Staff, HQ, No 11 Group

xx xxx xxxx:           Officer Commanding, Fighter Development Unit, CFE

25 Mar 1957:        Staff Officer - Fighter and Training Operations, British Joint Staff  Mission, USA.

23 May 1960:        Officer Commanding, RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

 5 Nov 1962:         Group Captain – Operations, Central Fighter Establishment.

 xx xxx xxxx:          Senior Service Representative, Defence Operational Analysis Establishment

24 May 1968:        Commander, Air Forces Gulf.

9 Nov 1970:          Director of Operations - Air Defence and Overseas.

During the Battle of Britain, he shot down a He111 but a week later was himself shot down suffering burns.  Whilst taking part in air operations in support of the Dieppe landings, he was shot carrying out a low level strafing mission.  Fortunately he was able to ditch his aircraft next to the last ships leaving and was consequently rescued and returned to Britain.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“Acting Flight Lieutenant John Lawrence Wemyss ELLACOMBE (43031), No.151 Squadron.

This officer is a keen-and courageous fighter pilot.  Although he was severely wounded in the Battle of Britain, Flight Lieutenant Ellacombe immediately resumed operational flying upon recovery.  He has carried out numerous flights by night in all weather conditions and he has destroyed 2 and probably destroyed a further 2 enemy aircraft.”

(London Gazette – 7 April 1942)

This page was last updated on 21/03/24©

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