Ernest Ralph Bitmead
MilitaryJuly 1940 - Oct 40 266 Squadron, 310 Squadron, 253 Squadron, 229 Squadron RAF.
Oct 40 - May 41 C/O, 611 Squadron RAF:
Jan 41 destroyed a Bf 109 and a Do 215
May 41, after an engagement over the Channel, his aircraft was damaged and he made a forced landing in a field near East Grinstead. An insecure hood fractured the base of his skull.
Squadron Leader, C/O 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF (North Weald) 14-8-41 [After a week, he felt that he was not fit enough and relinquished his command].
Transferred to RAF Reserve 16th Mar 1945.
Died of natural causes on 17th December 1955 whilst on active service. He was cremated at Headington Crematorium.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Commanded 71 Sqn RAF |
North Weald Bassett, Epping, Essex CM16, UK | 13 August 1941 - 20 August 1941 | Squadron Leader, C/O 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF (North Weald) 13-8-41 [After a week, he felt that he was not fit enough and relinquished his command]. |
|
Died |
England, UK | 17 December 1955 | Died 17th December 1955. |
|
Born |
Cholsey, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10, UK | Born in 1913 in Cholsey, Wallingford, Berkshire | |
|
Buried |
Headington Cemetery, Oxford, Oxford OX3, UK | Cremated at Headington Crematorium. |
Revisions
http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RAF_officers_B01.html
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=202&MemI…
http://www.bbm.org.uk/Bitmead.htm
EAGLES of the RAF - The World War II Eagle Squadrons by Phillip D Caine.