Raymond Arthur Holmwood was the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer to assume command of an RAF squadron during World War II.
Thomas Glyn Finlayson Ritchie was born on 30th November, 1913, in Milngavie, Dunbartonshire. He was the son of Thomas McGown Ritchie and Jane Finlayson.
Leroy served with distinction during the Great War and was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1919. Air Chief Marshal Sir James Robb remembered Trapagna Leroy as a "remarkable character."
On 7th July, 1923, Tragedy struck No.24 Squadron, when two of their pilots were killed in an Airco DH.9a (H3431) shortly after take-off from Kenley.
Wilfred was born circa 1898. His parents were Robert and Jane Gibson, of Easington Lane, Hetton-Le-Hole and he had one sister, Margaret.
Husband of E. Hobson, of 101, Pitsmoor Rd., Pitsmoor, Sheffield.
In February, 1915, William enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, mustering as an Aero Rigger. Six months later, he married Ruth Margaret Rogers, in Gravesend - the couple had four children, two girls and two boys, between 1915 and 1921.
On 5th July 1942, No.611 squadron, stationed at Kenley, lost Sergeant Pilot Alexander James Proctor Walton and Warrant Officer Victor Cecil Mayo Wheeler, when Miles Magister Mk.I (L8130), stalled during low level aerobatics and crashed at Woldingham.
On 5th July 1942, No.611 squadron lost Warrant Officer Wheeler, who was flying as a passenger in a Miles Magister when it stalled during low level aerobatics and crashed at Woldingham.
On 1st July 1928, the R.A.F. lost one of it's finest aerobatic pilots in a freak accident when Avro 504N (H2534) of the RAF Practice Camp at Sutton Bridge, dived into the ground not far from RAF Henlow, killing Flight Lieutenant Harold Charles Calvey of No.23 Squadron, Kenley and Flight Sergeant William Charles Hollier, a carpenter/rigger.
From Invercargill, he learned to fly privately with Southland Aero Club pre-war, joining the RNZAF in 1939, arriving in Britain with 11 other Kiwis the following year - seven would killed in action, and two more captured.
On 21st June, 1919, two Canadian Flight Lieutenant's from No.1 (Communications) Squadron set off to deliver a diplomat to the Middle East, narrowly avoiding disaster along the way and gaining a charismatic passenger, Colonel T. E. Lawrence - later known as "Lawrence of Arabia."
