Service No. 141805 (RAF)

Date of Birth: Unknown

Place of Birth: Unknown

Date of Enlistment: Unknown

Date of Discharge: Unknown

Rank: Flight Officer

Date of Death: 12 Oct 2000

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Crew 1:

• W/Cmdr. J.A.G. Coates DFC RAF - Pilot, Squadron C.O. - Nov 43 - Apr 44.

• FO  D.M Surtees - RAFVR - Nav B

• WO J. Howard - Wireless Op/Air Gunner

• WO G. Hissey - Wireless Op/Air Gunner 

 

Crew 2:

• W/Cmdr, M. Moore RAAF Squadron C.O Apr 44 - Nov 45.

• FO  D.M Surtees - RAFVR - Nav B

• WO J. Howard - Wireless Op/Air Gunner

• WO G. Hissey - Wireless Op/Air Gunner

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Don had completed his first Operational Tour with 244 RAF Coastal Command Squadron, Persian Gulf.  His second tour was with 454 RAAF.

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Type of Operations:

1. Day general maritime, low level reconnaissance - search and strike in Aegean and Mediterranean seas - RAF 201 Naval Co-Op Group to July 1944.

2. Close support formation bombing with Desert Air Force in Italy - from July 1944 to Nov.1944.

 

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RAF Service Summary

• 1940 (May)  RAF V.R. Observer trainee.

• 1940-41       Aircrew training - Sth.Africa 1941.

• 1941-42       Sergeant 70 O.T.U. RAF Nakura, Kenya (Blenheims).

• 1942-43       Sergeant'244 RAF Squadron - general maritime reconnaissance Persian Gulf - (Vickers, Valencias, Vincents, Blenheims and Bisleys).

• 1943 (Sept) Flying Officer 75 O.T.U. - Gianclis, Egypt - instructor.

• 1943-44       Flying Officer 454 RAAF Squadron operations - Nth. Africa and Italy for day maritime general reconnaissance & Day 8th Army close support.

• (Sep-Nov)   (Baltimores) bombing in boxes.  Crewed with W/Cmdr. J.Coates, RAF DFC, then W/Cmdr. M. J. Moore RAAF - Both Commanding Officers.

• 1945-48       F/Lt. - Administrative courses and posts in the UK.

• 1948-51       Empire Air Armament School and RAF Flying College - Instructor.  Permanent Commission in RAF as Nav.B.  Passed Promotion and Staff College Qualifying Exam.

• 1952           109 RAF Squadron Bomber Command - low level target marking (Mosquitos).

• 1952-56       S. Lr Command of Non Flying Station Air Ministry (Officers, Selection Board).

• 1956            Resigned from RAF.  Joined embyro Civil Aviation Authority.

• 1956-80        Tower Approach and Area Control Duties - awarded ratings in all aspects of Control, both procedural and radar.  London Air Traffic Control Centre, then Civil Liaison Officer, Military Air Traffic Control Radar School for seven years, then two years in the Directorate of Planning at the National Air Traffic Services H.Q.  Finally Airport Manager in the Shetland Islands.

• 1981              Retired to Spain.