Ernest Ralph Bitmead

Military

July 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

Places

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.