Cranwell Graduations 1940

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Cranwell Graduations 1940

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell in March April and May 1940. These cadets undertook a very condensed course, mainly concentrating on flying training.

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
Charles Edward BELOE (33533)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 2 Dec 1941 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Wellington IC, X9799 of No 15 OTU, which collided with Tiger Moth II, N6968 of No 6 EFTS near Piddington Northamptonshire. He is buried in Kempston Cemetery.
Brian Richardson CHAMPION (33558) CEng, AFRAeS, FIMucE	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 25 Aug 1970 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Gordon Emery CHANDLER (33559)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 13 May 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Defiant I, L6960 of No 264 Sqn, which was shot down near Rotterdam. He is buried in Made-en-Drimmelen Protestant Churchyard.
Michael Wilsher COOMBES (33561)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He died in service on 5 Jun 1958 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He died at RAF Chivernor.
Michael Hugh DALZELL-MCKEAN (33538)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 2 Sep 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Sunderland I, T9043 of No 210 Sqn, which failed to return from a convoy patrol. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John Mathias Oxenham DYER (33564) DFC, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 9 May 1953 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Anthony Fogarty FEGEN (33565)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 1 Oct 1961 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Michael James HERRICK (33566) DFC and Bar	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was reported missing in action on 16 Jun 1944 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed whilst flying in Mosquito VI, NS913 of No 305 Sqn, which he abandoned after being damaged by fire from a Fw 190 during a Ranger to Denmark but he did not survive. He is buried in Frederikshavn Cemetery,
Ian Milne HOSSACK (33568)	He entered the RAF College in 1939, was a member of C Sqn and attained the rank of Flt Cdt Cpl.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 11 Jul 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Hampden I, P4366 of No 144 Sqn, which was shot down by flak near Kessel raid to Wanne-Eickel. He is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery.
Peter Ian HOWARD-WILLIAMS (33569) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 11 Jun 1958 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
John Gage LECKY (33570)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 11 Oct 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Spitfire I, P9447 of No 41 Sqn, which was shot down over Maidstone by a Bf 109. He is buried in Tilford (All Saints) Churchyard.
Trevor de Trafford MACDONALD (33571)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 3 Dec 1965 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He transferred to the Technical Branch.
Eric Simcox MARRS (33572)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 24 Jul 1941 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Spitfire IIA, P7881 of No 152 Sqn, which was shot down by flak whilst escorting a raid on Brest. He is buried in Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery.
Herbert MUNDY (33573)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed on active service on 24 Feb 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Beaufort I, L9858 of No 3 (C) OTU, which crashed on taking off from Chivenor. He is buried in Heanton Punchardon (St Augustine) Churchyard.
Michael NEGUS (33574)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was reported missing in action on 7 Apr 1944 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was killed whilst flying in Mosquito VI, NS875 'R' of No 605 Sqn, which came down near Lake Constance during an intruder sortie to Baltringen. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John Alfred PLUMB (33547)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 19 May 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was serving with No 4 Sqn, at the time of his death. He is buried in St Andre Communal Cemetery.
Rupert Charles Langridge PARKHOUSE (33575)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940.	He retired on 31 Aug 1973 in the rank of Sqn Ldr
John Hedley ROTHWELL (33576)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 22 Feb 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Hurricane II Z2347 of No 605 Sqn, which crashed near Littlehampton possibly as the result of an oxygen failure. He is buried in Poynings Cemetery.
John Naunton ROWLAND (33577) DSO, DFC and Bar	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 2 Jan 1947 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Arthur Avarne James SANDERS (33578) DFC, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 30 Sep 1967 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College.
Richard Ashton SHUTTLEWORTH (33548)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He was killed in action on 28 Aug 1941 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was mortally wounded whilst flying Blenheim IV, Z7447 YH-A of No 21 Sqn, which came down in the sea off the Dutch coast during a raid to Rotterdam. He died from his injuries and is buried in Amsterdam New Eastern Cemetery.
John Adam SOWREY (33551) DFC, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of C Sqn.	He was commissioned on 7 Mar 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 19 Mar 1940. He retired on 18 Jun 1968 retaining the rank of A/Cdre.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College, the RAF Flying College and the Empire Test Pilots School.
Anthony BILDERBECK (33535)	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of Sqn.	He was commissioned on 11 Apr 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 30 Apr 1940. He was killed in action on 9 Dec 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hudson I, N7265 of No 224 Sqn, which failed to return from a patrol. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Geoffrey Edgar CRUWYS (43427)	He entered the RAF College in 1938 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 12 May 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 25 Jun 1940. He retired on 27 Feb 1963 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
Ian Robert CAMPBELL (43426) CB, CBE, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of A Sqn.	He was commissioned on 12 May 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 25 Jun 1940. He retired on 5 Oct 1975 in the rank of AVM.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the RAF Flying College.
Charles Trevor DAVIS (33563) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 12 May 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 11 Jun 1940. He was killed in action on 26 Mar 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was probably killed whilst flying Hurricane IIA, Z2458 of No 238 Sqn, which dived into the ground near Winchester in Hampshire He was cremated at Woking (St John's) Crematorium.
Sir Andrew Henry HUMPHREY (43352) GCB, OBE, DFC, AFC and 2 Bars, ADC	He entered the RAF College in 1939 and was a member of B Sqn.	He was commissioned on 30 May 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 21 May 1940. He died in service on 24 Jan 1977 in the rank of MRAF.	He died in the RAF Hospital at Halton from pneumonia three months after taking up the post of Chief of the Defence Staff

The following cadets graduated from the RAF College at Cranwell on 14 July 1940. These cadets undertook a very condensed course, mainly concentrating on flying training.

Personal details	College details	RAF Details	Comments
James Gordon BROWN (44181)	He entered the RAF College in 1939.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 16 Jul 1942 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying in Wellington IC, HX400 of No 148 Sqn, which failed top return from a raid on Tobruk. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.
John Arthur Joseph DAVEY (44182)	He entered the RAF College in 1940, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 11 Aug 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hurricane I, P3172 of No 1 Sqn ande is buried in Sandown-Shanklin (Sandown) Cemetery.
Graham Newstead DAWSON (44183) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 19 Aug 1942 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying in Mustang IA, AG418 of No 26 Sqn, which was lost on a recce sortie in support of the landings at Dieppe. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John Francis Durham ELKINGTON (44184)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 23 Dec 1975 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
Algernon Michael PHILLIPS (44185)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 7 Jun 1942 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was probably killed whilst flying in Halifax II, V9977 of the TFU, which dived into the ground at Welsh Bicknor in Herefordshire. He is buried in Hereford Cemetery.
William Charles WATLING (44186)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 7 Feb 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Spitfire, R6924 of No 92 Sqn, which crashed into high ground near Deal, whilst carrying a weather flight in poor visibility. He is buried in Orpington (St Mary Cray) Cemetery.
Arthur Roy WATSON (44187)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 14 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 28 Nov 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was baled out of Spitfire I, R6597 of No 152 Sqn, when he was shot down by a Bf 109 but his parachute caught on the aircraft. He is buried in Nottingham Southern Cemetery.
Peter Reginald CASEMENT (44188) DSO, DFC, and Bar, AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 29 Jun 1968 in the rank of Gp Capt.	He was a graduate of the Joint Services Staff College, the RAF Staff College and the RAF Flying College.
Maurice Ivan COX (44189) AFC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 28 Apr 1944 in the rank of Flt Lt.	He was killed whilst flying in Lancaster I, ME738 PM-S of No 103 Sqn, which was shot down by a night fighter near Langenschiltach-Schwarzwaldt during a raid to Friedrichshafen. He is buried in Durnbach War Cemetery.
Basil Pollock ERSKINE (44190)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 31 Oct 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hudson II, T9377 of No 233 Sqn, which was shot down by a flak ship during an attack on enemy shipping off the Norwegian coast. He is buried in Sola Churchyard.
Paul GARRARD (44191)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was reported missing in action on 25 Mar 1942 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was serving with No 59 Sqn at the time of his death, the circumstances of which have yet to be ascertained. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
Henry Gordon GILBERT (44192)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed in action on 3 Nov 1940 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying Hudson I, N7374 of No 233 Sqn, which was shot down by Bf 110s during an attack on Lister airfield in Norway. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
James Greatel HAIGH (44193)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 15 Oct 1963 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.	He was a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School.
Henry Archibald JENKINS (44195) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 1 Jan 1968 in the rank of Wg Cdr.	He was a graduate of the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Eric JACKSON (44194)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed on active service on 21 May 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Tiger Moth, AX786 (ex G-AEXG) of No 3 PRU, which spun into the ground near Girton, Cambridgeshire. He is buried in Widnes Cemetery.
Nigel Martin MAYNARD (44196) DFC, AFC, ADC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 21 May 1977 in the rank of ACM.	He was a graduate of the Imperial Defence College, the Joint Services Staff College, the RAF Staff College and the Central Flying School.
Peter Harold Howard PRITCHARD (44197)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was reported missing in action on 11 Jun 1941 in the rank of Plt Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Hampden I, AD727 of No 61 Sqn, which was shot down by flak during a Gardening sortie to the Kiel area. He is buried in Kappel Churchyard.
Paul Anthony TOMLINSON (44198)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 31 Mar 1945 in the rank of Sqn Ldr.
William Denman WHATLEY (44199)	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He was killed on active service on 26 Apr 1942 in the rank of Fg Off.	He was killed whilst flying in Hudson I, P5147 of No 1 (C) OTU, which was lost during a low flying dual instruction, his body being found at Almorness on 31 May 1942. He is buried in Silloth (Causewayhead) Cemetery, Holme Low.
Thomas Reginald Nelson WHEATLEY-SMITH (44200)	He entered the RAF College in 1940, after being awarded a scholarship as an apprentice at Halton.	He was commissioned on 21 Jul 1940 in the rank of Pilot Officer on probation which was gazetted on 6 Aug 1940. He retired on 21 Sep 1965 in the rank of Wg Cdr.
David FULFORD (5905533/63787) DFC	He entered the RAF College in 1940.	He was commissioned on 10 Apr 1941 in the rank of Pilot Officer which was gazetted on 9 May 1941. He was killed in action on 2 Nov 1942 in the rank of Fg Off.	Although having attended Cranwell he appears to have been commissioned from a Sergeant pilot in the RAFVR. He was killed whilst flying in Spitfire IX, BR622 of No 611 Sqn, which was shot down by a Fw 190 on a Rodeo to Le Touquet. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

The photograph below shows the last 'pre-war' course of Flight Cadets to graduate from Cranwell:-

Click to enlarge

P Garrard | PA Tomlinson | N M Maynard | J G Brown | H A Jenkins

Photo courtesy - RAF College Cranwell

1939 1948

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