Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945 - The Men

List of all Fleet Air Arm
Commanding Officers 1939-1945

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L -
M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W

- X - Y - Z

JRC Callandar RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information:
- CO of 838 sqdn when first formed in Dartmouth, Canada.
- took part in air cover for convoy from Curacao, HMS Attacker, 2.1943
- embarked on mission to Gibraltar in HMS Stalker, 7.1943
- operated from MAC ships
- Seniority 8.1948 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

838	May 1942	June 1943
833	May 1943	Jan 1944	Sqdn disbanded
836	June 1944	March 1945

GR Callingham RN
Born
Rank: Lt, Lt Cdr 1945
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- temporary comanding officer of the newly formed 887 sqdn.
- Air Group Commander for 13th and 14th CAGs post-war
- Seniority 12.1951 (Cdr)

Commands:

887	May 1942	Aug 1942

DRF Cambell RN
Born 1907 British
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards CB (1960), DSC (1940)
Died
Other information
- joined RN 1925
- trained as FAA pilot in 1931
- at the outbreak of war served on HMS Ark Royal as CO of 803 sqdn.
- involved in patrols of Norway and operations in the North West Approaches, during which time the squadron attacked U-30, 14.9.1939 and destroyed a Do 18.
South , the first German aircraft to be shot down bt any British aircraft in the war, 26.9.1939
- first captain of HMS Ark Royal IV, 1955-1956
- Seniority 1.1958 (Rear Admiral)

Commands:

803	March 1939	Feb 1940

JP Camp RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards DSC & bar (pre 1945)
Died
Other information
- became CO of 820 sqdn which joined the 7th Carrier Air Group
- shortly before VJ-Day struck at targets in the Tokyo area on the mainland of Japan.
Seniority 9.1949 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

820	June 1945	End of WW2

CP Campbell-Horsfall RN
Born
Rank: Lt
Honours and Awards DSC
Died
Other information
- took part in Norwegian Operations, 4.1940
- in command the re-formed Fulmar IIs sqdn, 1.1942
- led sqdn when it embarked briefly on HMS Biter, 1942
- first Wing Leader of 30th Naval Fighter Wing at Machrihanish, 10.1944
- sailed with HMS Implacable for British Pacific Fleet, 3.1945.
- Seniority 9.1945 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

801	April 1940	June 1940
808	Jan 1942	March 1943
30th Naval Fighter Wing (801, 880 sqdns)	Oct 1944	June 1945	disbanded into 8th CAG

ES Carver RN
Born
Rank: Lt (1940), Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards DSC (1941)
Died
Other information
- involved in first minelaying operation in the English Channel attached to RAF Coastal Command, 25.4.1940 (815 sqdn)
- in leading swordfish with CO, in attack on German Battleship Bismarck, 26.5.1941 (HMS Ark Royal, 818 sqdn)
- reformed 826 sqdn at East Haven as a Canadian manned TBR Barracuda sqdn on VJ-Day.
- Seniority 6.1957 (C)

Commands:

826	Aug 1945	End of WW2

RHP Carver RN
Born 1916
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards DSC (11.1942)
Died
Other information
- saw action over Scapa Flow and in Norway
- involved in Battle of Britain flying in the defence of Hatston, July 1940 (804 sqdn).
- shot down 2 Ju88s in defence of Malta convoys, HMS Victorious (885 sqdn)
- Wing Leader of 3rd Naval Fighter Wing twice, from April to VJ-Day the Wing saw active service with the East Indies Fleet.
- Air Group Commander in 21st Carrier Air Group in the Indian Ocean.
- involved in air strike on Sumatra from HMS Khedive, 30.6.1945
- loaned to Government of India, 1959
- CBE (6.1959)
- ADC to the Queen, 1950s
- Seniority 6.1956 (C)

Commands:

885	Feb 1942	Nov 1943
3rd Naval Fighter Wing (808, 885 sqdns, also 800 + 1840 sqdn and temp. 881 + 882 sqdn)	Sept 1944	Nov 1944
3rd Naval Fighter Wing (808, 885 sqdns, also 800 + 1840 sqdn)	April 1945	Dec 1945

J Casson RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (1940)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- taken POW when shot down during attack on German battleship Scharnhorst in Norway, 13.6.1940
- seniority 1.4.1940 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

803	May 1940	June 1940	POW 1940

KA Chare RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- took command of the first 1703 sea otter sqdn.

Commands:

1703	Aug 1945	End of WW2

PN Charlton RN
Born 1917 England
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards: DSC (1944)(Tirpitz), DFC (11.1941), King's Commendation (1943)
Died
Other information
- Air Ace with 3 destroyed enemy aircraft, 3 shared destroyed, 2 probables, 1 damaged.
- shared shooting down of He111while escorting HMS Suffolk from shelling Norway, 17.4.1940 (803 sqdn)
- shared shooting down of Do26 flying boat, ditched Narvik, boarded Polish transport Chobri, which was sunk enroute to UK and rescued by destroyer HMS Stork.
-involved in attack on French Fleet at Dakar, June 1940.
-based in the Middle East, engaged 4 Ju87, claiming three shot down, and himself shot down by a 'friendly' tomahawk, later awarded DFC by RAF, 20.11.1941
- rescued crew of swordfish on fire, and received King's Commendation (11.1943)
- led sqdn in attack on German battleship Tirpitz in Operation Tungsten, 3.4.1944 (1834 sqdn, awarded DSC)
involved in attack on Sumatra from HMS Victorious, 24.8.1944 (1834 sqdn)
- Seniority 6.1950 (Lt Cdr)

See biography in "Aces High"

Commands:

1834	Dec 1943	Oct 1944

VBG Cheesman RM
Born
Rank: Major (Capt 1944) Royal Marines
Honours and Awards DSO, MBE, DSC
Died
Other information
- led first firefly operation, Operation Mascot against German battleship Tirpitz 17.7.1944 (1770 sdqn).
- took part in the various Operation Goodwood strikes against the Tirpitz, 8.1944
- led firefly sqdn in Operation Meridian, Palembang, 29.1.1945 (1770 sqdn)
- led strikes between March and May on the Sakishima Gunto islands in the East China Seas, and later against Formosa, HMS Indefatigable
- Seniority 6.1944 (Capt)

Commands:

1770	Feb 1944	June 1945

ED Child RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- led night patrols and shipping strikes in the English Channel under RAF coastal command
- supported Salerno landings, 4.1943
- involved in convoys to the Indian Ocean, 9.1943
- assisted in locating the german tanker Brake near Mauritius, and then sunk by HMS Roebuck, 12.3.1944
- 2 U-Boats attacked, one being probable damaged, 1944
- Seniority 11.1949 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

834	Jan 1943	Aug 1944

PCS Chilton RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- embarked HMS Arbiter in Feb 1945 for Australia

Commands:

1849	Aug 1944	Dec 1944
1843	Feb 1945	End of WW2

DT Chute RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- joined 1836 sqdn after VJ-Day

Commands:

1836	Aug 1945	End of WW2

EJ Clark RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- joined HMS Hunter for the Eastern Fleet, providing fighter support during re-occupation of Rangoon, 4-5.1945 (807 sqdn)
- took part in anti-shipping strikes Andaman Sea.

Commands:

1848	July 1944	Nov 1944	Sqdn disbanded Nov 1944
807	Nov 1944	End of WW2

GR Clarke RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- CO of 824 Barracuda sqdn for a week at Katukurunda, Ceylon, and immediately went on to command 827 sqdn immediately boarding HMS Colossus for Jervis Bay, 7.1945

Commands:

824	July 1945	July 1945
827	July 1945	End of WW2+

JC Cockburn RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards: DSC (post 1943)
Died
Other information
- provided fighter patrols from HMS Glorious to Norway whilst ferrying gladiators of 269 RAF sqdn, 1940
- took part in the Madagascar landings, when the sqdn jointly shot down 7 enemy aircraft 5.1942
- Seniority 12.1950 (C)

Commands:

804	Dec 1939	Nov 1940
881	June 1941	March 1943

JW Collett RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- took part in Arctic convoy duties from HMS Furious, 1943 (822 sqdn).
- involved in anti-submarine patrols in the English Channel under RAF Coastal Command, 9.1942
- Seniority 6.1957 (C)

Commands:

823	Aug 1942	Nov 1942
822	Feb 1943	March 1943

SWD Colls RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr, Cdr (1941)
Honours and Awards AFC
Died
Other information
- sqdn went on to attack Petsamo immediately after CO left the sqdn
- Seniority 6.1941 (Cdr)

Commands:

809	Jan 1941	July 1941

H Colville-Stewart RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- commanded this hellcat sqdn with mixed Dutch and British aircrew.

Commands:

1847	Feb 1944	May 1944

PW Compton RN
Born
Rank: Lt (1942), Lt Cdr (1943)
Honours and Awards DSC (post Aug 1942)
Died
Other information
- took part in Western Desert operations, 1942.
- Seniority 12.1943 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

826	March 1942	Aug 1942

TP Coode RN
Born 1908
Rank: Lt Cdr (1940), Cdr (1943)
Honours and Awards: DSC (Bismarck)
Died 25.1.1943
Other information
- son of Rear Admiral CP Coode CB DSO
- involved in unsuccessful attack on Italian battleship Littorio, 27.1.1940 (818 sqdn)
- involved in Malta convoys
- involved in bombing attacks of Leghorn, Genoa and Pisa
-led attack with 2 torpedo hirts on German battleship Bismarck, 26.5.1941 (HMS Ark Royal, 818 sdqn)
- led 815 sqdn in Western Desert operations against German forces in 1941, and continued in the Western Desert with 805 sqn in 1942.
- died 25.1.1943 HMS Kipanga, Mombasa

Commands:

818	Oct 1940	July 1941
815	Oct 1941	Dec 1941
805	May 1942	Aug 1942

SG Cooke RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- involved in Russian convoy duties with HMS Vindex, 1945.

Commands:

813	Oct 1944	May 1945

NR Corbet-Milward RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- took up command of 817 sqdn on HMS Indomitable, and 2 weeks later on 16.7.1942 the ship was badly damaged in a torpedo attack.
- first Wing Leader of 21st Wing with HMS Illustrious for operations with the Eastern Fleet
- Seniority 6.1949 (Cdr)

Commands:

817	July 1942	Aug 1943	disbanded
21st Naval TBR Wing (810,847 sqdns)	Oct 1943	Nov 1943

RJ Cork RN
Born London 1917
Rank: Sub LT (1940), Lt Cdr (A) (1942)
Honours and Awards DSO (1942), DFC (1940), DSC (to replace withdrawn DFC), Battle of Britain clasp.
Died: 14.4.1944
Other information
- air ace with 9 confirmed destroyed enemy aircraft, 2 shared destroyed, 1 probable, 4 damaged, 7 destroyed on the ground.
- seconded to 242 sqdn RAF on 6-12.1940, where he cliamed 5 victories in Battle of Britain (awarded DFC).
- took part in the FAA atacks on Petsamo and Kirkenes (7.1941)
- involved in Operation Pedestal convoy to Malta, where he confirmed 1 destroyed Ju88, 1 Bf110, 2 S-79s, 1 shared JU88, and 1 damaged R2001 all shot down on one day, 12.8.1942 (received DSO).
- Madagascar landings from HMS Indomitable, where he he confirmed 3 MS406s and 4 Potez 63s all destroyed on the ground 5.1942
- second Wing Leader 15th Naval Wing, 12.1943
- sailing in January 1944 to Ceylon for the Eastern Fleet, HMS Illustrious.
- in March 1944 sweeps were made over the Bay of Bengal
- in April 1944 enemy shore installations were attacked at Sabang.
- killed in air accident China Bay, Ceylon 14.4.1944 (HMS Illustrious)

See biography in "Aces High" or in "Men of the Battle of Britain".

Commands:

880	Aug 1942	Sept 1942
15th Naval Fighter Wing (1830,1831, 1833 sqdns)	Dec 1943	April 1944	Killed 14.4.1944

DRB Cosh RCNVR
Born 1919
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died 24.6.1944
Other information
- formally CO of 893 sqdn for 5 days, then immediately embarked on HMS Pursuer as part of the 7th Naval Fighter Wing.
- took part in Gibraltar convoys, the sqdn shooting down 2 enemy aircraft and damaged 1 aircraft, 2.1944.
- led sqdn providing cover in Operation Tungsten, attack on German battleship Tirpitz, 3.4.1944
- Died 24.6.1944 HMCS Niobe, Northumberland

Commands:

893	Nov 1943	Nov 1943	Disbanded Nov 1943
881	Nov 1943	June 1944	Died 24.6.1944

BF Cox RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- commanded squadron in East Africa, at Tanga and Port Reitz, being involved in army co-operation excercises.

Commands:

803	Oct 1942	Aug 1943	Disbanded

DPZ Cox RN
Born 1916
Rank: Lt
Honours and Awards
Died 15.11.1942
Other information
- involved in providing cover on HMS Avenger for convoy destined to take part in North African invasion, 9.1942.
- provided cover on invasion beaches, Algeria, 1942.
- with sqdn when HMS Avenger torpedoed and sunk 15.11.1942 by U-155.

Commands:

802	Sept 1942	Nov 1942	Killed when HMS Avenger sunk 15.11.1942

CRJ Coxon RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- took command when the sqdn reformed with barrracuda.
- sailed with HMS Vengeance to join the British Pacific Fleet but saw no action before VJ-Day.

Commands:

812	June 1944	End of WW2

GR Coy RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards DSC (pre 1944)
Died
Other information
- joined HMS Venerable for the British Pacific Fleet, saw no action before VJ-Day.
- Seniority 5.1950 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

814	Nov 1944	End of WW2

JSL Crabbe RN
Born
Rank: Lt (1940), Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- taken POW whilst bombing warships Dakar Harbour, 24.9.1940
- Seniority 6.1951 (Cdr)

Commands:

814	July 1944	Nov 1944
846	May 1945	June 1945
816	June 1945	End of WW2

JA Crawford RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (1941)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- Seniority 10.1941 (Lt Cdr)
- WSR Cdr

Commands:

836	March 1942	July 1942

NGR Crawford RN
Born 1907
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died 17.1.1941
Other information
- took part in Dunkirk evacuations, 5.1940
- led sqdn when attached to RAF Coastal Command, and for minelaying and bombing in coastal areas of Belgium, Holland and France.
- took part in Dunkirk evaciuations, 5.1940
- died 17.1.1941 HMS Goshawk

Commands:

812	April 1940	Sept 1940

WH Crawford RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- Seniority 6.1946 (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

845	Feb 1943	Oct 1943

RM Crosley RNVR
Born 1920 Liverpool
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards: DSC & Bar (pre 1944)
Died
Other information
- Ace with 4 destroyed enemy aircraft, and 1 shared destroyd, 1 probable, and 1 "posible"
- took command of the sqdn in the final stages of the attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz at Kaa fjord, Operation Goodwood, 8.1944
- involved in anti-shipping strike off Norway, HMS Implacable, 11.1944

Ref: Autobiography: They gave me a Seafire
Aces High volume 2 by Christopher Shores, 1999 Grub Street

Commands:

880	Aug 1944	Aug 1945
801	Sept 1945	End of WW2+

J Crossman RNVR
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards: DSO
Died
Other information
-led squadron in attack on Sumatran oil Refineries, Palembang, 1.1945
- involved in attacks on Sakishima Gunto, 3-4.1945, and before VJ-Day, attacks on the Japanese mainland.

Commands:

894	Nov 1944	End of WW2

LA Cubitt RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (1938)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- became the first CO of 828 sqdn, and involved in anti-submarine patrols from Scotland.
- Seniority 8.1938 (Lt Cdr)
- WSR Cdr

Commands:

828	Sept 1940	May 1941

JL Cullen RN
Born
Rank: Lt Cdr (A)
Honours and Awards
Died
Other information
- led abortive sweep for 3 Japanese cruisers sighted off the Cocos islands, 3.1944
- led sqdn in attack on oil storage tanks, Sabang, Sumatra, 4.1945
- involved in attack on Port Blair, Andamans, 6.1945
- Seniority 9.1942 (Lt)
- WSR (Lt Cdr)

Commands:

847	July 1943	June 1944	disbanded

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