Cranwell Graduations 1934

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1934

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 27 July 1934. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding GCVO, KCB, CMG

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Norman Dorrington ASHTON (33104)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Boxing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in a flying accident on 27 Jun 1935 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hawker Fury I, K3742 of No 43 Sqn when he dived into the sea whilst carrying out aerobatics near Selsey Bill. He is buried in Tangmere (St Andrew) Churchyard.
Paul Wingrave ASHTON (33105)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Rugby, Boxing, Athletics and Cricket.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in a flying accident on 23 May 1936 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying Audax, K3090 of No 2 Sqn when it collided with power cables during a practice attack at Hawkinge's Empire Air Day display and crashed near Holywell, Kent.
Hugh Denis BECK (33106)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed on active service on 7 Dec 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed flying in Hampden I, P4292 of No 16 OTU, which dived into the ground from 300 ft near Bicester following an engine failure. He is buried in Ringwood Cemetery.
Richard James BURROUGH (33107) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 12 Jan 1958 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Cecil CHARLTON-JONES (33108)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Soccer and Boxing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in action on 29 Aug 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Stirling I, N6081 OJ-H of No 149 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter during a raid to Nuremberg. He is buried in Durnbach War Cemetery.
George Arthur Vere CLAYTON (33109) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cross-Country.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 19 Dec 1957 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Kenneth Ernest CORNABE (33110)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Tennis, Swimming and Hockey.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was dismissed from the service by sentence of a General Court Marshal on 16 Jun 1945 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Ronald Ernest CURRY (33111)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn. He also represented the college in Boxing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 27 Feb 1945 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Peter Dudley Walter HACKFORTH (33112)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 1 Dec 1954 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Alan Frederick HARDS (33113) DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Hockey and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed on active service on 18 Jan 1946 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was the son of AVM F G D Hards CBE, DSO, DFC, and was killed whilst flying in Dornier 335, AM223 of RAF Farnborough, which crashed into a school near the airfield whilst in the circuit to land at Farnborough during a test flight following a fire and explosion in the rear engine. He was cremated at Woking (St John's) Crematorium.
Harold John HOBBS (33114) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Cricket.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 8 Feb 1964 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
William Arthur HUGHES (33115)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed on active service on 27 Nov 1943 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Hudson VI, FK642 of No 22 Ferry Control, which crashed near Gurgaon during a ferry flight. He is buried in Delhi War Cemetery.
John Raymond JEUDWINE (33116) DSO, OBE, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics, Cross Country and Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed on active service on 19 Oct 1945 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was killed whilst flying in Typhoon IB, JR390 of Little Staughton Stn Flt, which spun into the ground from a slow roll at Little Staughton. He is buried in Cambridge City Cemetery.
John Enfield KIRK (33117) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 18 Sep 1958 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Robert Charles Franklin LISTER (33118) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Boxing. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 31 Oct 1954 in the rank of Gp Capt.
James Henry LOWE (33119)	He entered the RAF College in 1932 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in action on 13 Aug 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He probably died in from injuries sustained in the Luftwaffe air raid on Detling. He is buried in Maidstone Cemetery, Kent.
Aeneas Ranald Donald MACDONELL (33120) CB, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Squash.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 15 Nov 1964 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Timothy Roderick MANSON (33121)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn. He also represented the college in Boxing.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed on active service on 25 Feb 1941 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying in Magister I, L5951 of No 17 OTU, which flew into power cables and crashed near Sawtry. He is buried in Groton (St Bartholomew) Churchyard.
Henry MOLYNEUX (33122)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in a flying accident on 11 Aug 1936 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was flying in Hawker Osprey, K3626 of No 801 Sqn with Sqn Ldr B V Reynolds on a flight from Eastleigh to Catterick. Having developed compass trouble, they turned back and made a forced landing at Wickham, Hants, but Molyneux was thrown from the aircraft having possibly unfastened his harness and was killed.
Peter John Archibald RIDDELL (33123) CBE	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Soccer, Squash and Cross Country.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 1 Mar 1947 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Dudley SAWARD (33124) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Athletics and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 8 Aug 1945 in the rank of Gp Capt.
Arthur Frederick SPURRIER (33125)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn. He also represented the college in Cross Country.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was killed in a flying accident on 1 Feb 1936 in the rank of Plt Off.	A member of No 209 Squadron he was a passenger in Avro Avian (G-ABSS) which crashed into the River Mersey, the pilot Hubert Mason was also killed
Donald George STOKES (33126)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby, Fencing and Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize and the John Anthony Chance Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 12 Jun 1959 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Eugene Emile VIELLE (33127) OBE, AFRAeS	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Cricket, Squash and Shooting.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 14 Nov 1957 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Douglas Warner WILLIAMS (33128) CBE, AFRAeS	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn. He also represented the college in Shooting.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He retired on 11 Feb 1961 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Christopher Louis Yser WRIGHT (33129)	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Cricket and Hockey.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was reported missing in action on 23 Nov 1943 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Halifax II, HR726 MH-B of No 51 Sqn, which came down Grunewald during a raid to Berlin. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Robert Gordon YAXLEY (33130) DSO, MC, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby and Atkletics.	He was commissioned on 28 Jul 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 4 Sep 1934. He was reported missing in action on 3 Jun 1943 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was killed whilst flying in Hudson VI, FK386 of No 1 OADU, which was shot down by a fighter over the Bay of Biscay on a transit flight from Portreath to Gibraltar. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 14 December 1934. The reviewing officer at the graduation parade was Air Chief Marshal Sir Edward Ellington KCB, CMG, CBE.

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Basil Alexander Charles WOOD (33151) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1932, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Fencing.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 29 Apr 1961 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Leslie Charles BICKNELL (33131)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 20 Jun 1949 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
James Kininmonth Leslie CARSTAIRS (33132)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Boxing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in a flying accident on 15 Jul 1936 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Avro Tutor, K3402 of the Station flight, RAF Hal Far, flown by Flt Lt George Douglas Green, when the wing hit the sea during a turn and crashed Flt Lt Green was severely injured in the accident. He is buried in Imtarfa Military Cemetery.
Henry Reginald COVENTRY (33133) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn. He also represented the college in Cross-Country.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in action on 14 Jul 1943 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Halifax II, JD297 DY-Q of No 102 Sqn, which crashed near Mauberge in France during a raid to Aachen. He is buried in Maubeuge-Centre Cemetery
John Leslie CROSBIE (33134) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Tennis and Hockey.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 31 Jul 1964 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of NATO Defence College and the RAF Staff College.
David Falkland DIXON (33135)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby and Rowing.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 3 Mar 1958 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Howard Duncan FRASER (33136) OBE	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Hockey. On graduating he was awarded the R M Groves Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in action on 20 Nov 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was probably killed whilst flying in either Beaufighter VI, EL454 or ? of No 236 Sqn, which was shot down by flak from a ship it was attacking off the Dutch coast. He is buried in Bergen General Cemetery.
Donald Bryan HATFIELD (33137) CBE, ADC, AFRAeS,	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Rugby and Swimming.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He died in service on 8 Aug 1965 in the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Evelyn Michael Thomas HOWELL (33138) CBE CEng, FRAeS,	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Swimming. On graduating he was awarded the Humanistics Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 17 Mar 1967 in the rank of AVM.	He transferred to the Technical Branch. He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Ian Cameron JACKSON (33139) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of A Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 29 Sep 1957 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Donald Henry LEE (33140) CBE, DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rugby, Cricket and Squash.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 17 Dec 1960 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Edmond Langley Fawcett MEYNELL (33141) MBE	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt. He also represented the college in Rowing. On graduating he was awarded the Abdy Gerrard Fellows Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in a flying accident on 19 Sep 1946 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	A member of No 87 Sqn, he was killed whilst flying in Lancaster VII, NX690 of No 87 Sqn, which dived into the ground near Homs in Libya, possibly after being struck by lightning. He is buried in Tripoli War Cemetery.
Leonard ROSE (33142) CEng, FRAeS, MBIM	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton. He also represented the college in Soccer.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 15 Sep 1969 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Douglas Henry Sherwood RUSHER (33143) DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Soccer and Swimming.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 1 Jan 1948 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Henry Cecil SAWYER (33144)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Athletics, Hockey and Tennis.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in action on 2 Aug 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed whilst flying in Spitfire I, R6799 of No 65 Sqn, which crashed as it took off from Rochford. He is buried or was cremated at City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Manor Park.
Frederick Mark SMITH (33147)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn. He also represented the college in Athletics and Cross-Country.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He died in service on 1 Jun 1940 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was serving as an Armament Officer on the staff of Command HQ and died from injuries sustained, possibly whilst flying Gladiator II, N2291 of No 94 Sqn, which crashed at Khormaksar during low level aerobatics. He died of his injuries and is buried in Maala Cemetery.
John Rupert STEPHENSON (33145)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn. He also represented the college in Boxing and Rugby.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in a flying accident on 1 Oct 1935 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed in a flying accident at Stokes Bay whilst flying an aircraft from RAF Gosport, when he collided with another aircraft of the same unit whilst flying in formation.
Hubert Mortimer STYLES (33146) DSO	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Under Officer. He also represented the college in Rugby and Swimming. On graduating he was awarded the Sword of Honour.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was reported missing in action on 1 Nov 1942 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was killed whilst flying in Hudson, ? of No 233 Sqn, which disappeared on a transit flight from Gibraltar to Bathurst. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Herbert Charles VICKERY (33148)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl. He also represented the college in Fencing and Soccer. On graduating he was awarded the John Anthony Chance Memorial Prize.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in a flying accident on 28 May 1937 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hawker Demon, K4512 of No 64 Sqn, when he failed to recover from a deliberate spin at Martlesham Heath. His gunner, AC1 J Hutchinson wsa also killed.
Alfred John WHILLIER (33149)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of B Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Sgt.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He was killed in a flying accident on 25 Aug 1937 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was ferrying Swordfish, L2740 with AC1 W A Murray when he collided with Hart Trainer, K6532 of No 3 Elementary and Reserve FTS. Both machines broke up in the air and fell near Botley, Hampshire.
Richard Dawson Azerley WILLS (33150)	He entered the RAF College in 1933, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He resigned his permanent commission on 8 Apr 1938 in the rank of Fg Off.
Geoffrey Joseph WRIGHT (33152)	He entered the RAF College in 1933 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 15 Dec 1934 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 22 Jan 1935. He retired on 1 Nov 1949 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.

1933 1935

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