Finest Hour No27 Squadron Pilot Roster

 

Here's the biographical background for the pilots of No27 Squadron, based on the stuff I've already rolled up and some lateral thinking. It's an interesting mix but I think not atypical of an RAF fighter squadron in July 1940. I will sort out the reserve pilots as and when I need them.

‘A’ Flight Red Section

Red Leader

Squadron Leader J.F. ‘Prof’ Thompson

Age 38. From Shaftesbury, Dorset. Modern History Don at Oxford University. Former Royal Auxiliary Air Force pilot. Studied in Berlin until 1938 where he witnessed the Nazi regime at first hand. Promoted to CO of 27 Squadron in May 1939. Claimed six E/A during Battle of France with 27 Squadron. Junior Ace

Red Two

Pilot Officer T.B. ‘Tubby’ Goodall

Age 22. From Preston, Lancashire. Postgraduate English student at Durham University. Enlisted in September 1939 when war declared. A competent pilot. Flew in Battle of France with 27 Squadron but spent most of the time in reserve. Regular.

Red Three

Sergeant Pilot P. ‘Micky’ Flynn.

Age 25. From Belfast, North Ireland. Former shipyard electrician. Forced out of his job at Harland and Wolff in 1938 and blames anti-Catholic prejudice for his situation. Enlisted in RAF in October 1939. Selected for pilot training due to his natural aptitude and attention to detail. 27 Squadron is his first posting. Sprog.

‘A’ Flight Yellow Section

Yellow Leader

Flight Lieutenant H.M Baker

Age 27. From Greater Manchester. Former bank clerk. Enlisted in RAF in May 1936 as bored with his job. Keeps himself to himself. Not popular in the mess due to his sullen attitude but an experienced and able pilot. Flew in Battle of France where he shot down one E/A. Veteran.

Yellow Two

Pilot Officer E.D. ‘Ginger’ Fox.

Age 21. From Alnwick, Northumberland. Undergraduate medical student at Edinburgh University. Very bright. Just finished pilot training. Sprog.

Yellow Three

Flight Sergeant H. ‘Spanner’ Higgins.

Age 24. From Coventry, West Midlands. Former mechanic. Just married. Enlisted in June 1938. A solid pilot. Enjoys spending time with the riggers and fitters. Assigned training duties during Battle of France. Regular.

‘B’ Flight Blue Section

Blue Leader

Flight Lieutenant R.H. ‘Taffy’ Stainton

Age 33. From Caernarvon, North Wales. Pre-war regular RAF pilot. Joined as ‘Trenchard Brat’ in January 1927. Commissioned in May 1933. An experienced, able pilot and flight leader. Flew in France with 27 Squadron and claimed two E/A destroyed, before being shot down himself. Veteran.

Blue Two

Flying Officer D.M. Hobbs

Age 34. From Dundee, Scotland. A pre-war regular RAF pilot. Enlisted in June 1925 after studying engineering at Glasgow University. An experienced pilot but not popular in the mess due to his habit of never repaying his debts. Passed over for promotion to flight leader. Did not take part in Battle of France due to hospital operation after flying accident. Veteran.

Blue Three

Pilot Officer J.F. ‘Johnny’ Parks

Age 21. From Norwich, Norfolk. An undergraduate modern art student at St Martin’s School of Art, London. A talented artist and popular in the mess but an average pilot, having scraped through training. Sprog.

‘B’ Flight Green Section

Green Leader

Pilot Officer J.M. Hart Wells Esq.

Age 26. From Kensington, London. An Old Etonian. Pre-war racing driver, playboy and private pilot. Commissioned in April 1938 in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. A recent transfer to 27 Squadron and promotion to flight leader over more qualified pilots, due to his extensive flying experience and ‘old school tie’ connections in the Air Ministry. Limited combat experience over Dunkirk with his former squadron. Regular.

Green Two

Flight Sergeant D. ‘Mutton’ Murray

Age 23. From Auckland, New Zealand. A former sheep farmer. Enlisted in November 1939 after his twin brother was killed when his merchant ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat. Hates the Nazis and not too keen on upper class 'poms' either. Flew in the Battle of France where he claimed three E/A destroyed, one by deliberate ramming after his ammunition feed jammed. Veteran.

Green Three

Sergeant Pilot R.T. ‘Dicky’ Saunders

Age 24. From Wimbledon, London. A former actor on the West End stage. Enlisted in October 1939 on the spur of the moment after a particularly bad review. 27 Squadron is his first posting after advanced training. A competent but anxious pilot. Sprog.