Flt/Lt Raleigh Willoughby Hilken

Im looking for information on his postings from 1940 to 1942. He was a VR pilot commissioned on Oct 27, 1940 and on 4/7/42 was posted to 600 squadron. He came from 54 O.T.U.. Also does anyone have a photo of him?

 

Flt/Lt Raleigh Willoughby Hilken DFC 1914-1996
DFC award, no citation, London Gazette Supplement 23 May 1944 to
Flight Lieutenant Raleigh Willoughby HILKEN (87028), Royal Air Force. Volunteer Reserve, No. 600 Squadron.
Page 2349 | Supplement 36525, 19 May 1944 | London ...

And London Gazette Supplement 19 Nov 1940
Page 6636 | Supplement 34996, 19 November 1940 | Lo...

"Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities: —
[...]
As Pilot Officers on Probation.
[...]
27th Oct. 1940.
(Seniority 26th Aug. 1940.)
740957 Raleigh Willoughby HILKEN (87028)."​

Someone else can explain the advance in seniority - credit to do with occ/qual prior to enlistment as an airman.

His Airman service no 740957 indicates RAFVR Pilot entry (Sgt pilot) at a date perhaps late in 1937 (but see below)
RAF Cmds Service nos listing :RAF OR Service Numbers

While someone with access to relevant SD lists may be able to advise limited info of postings from 1940,
his Flying Log Books from 1935 to 1953 are all held by the RAF Museum London,
which will certainly record his postings for the period, including:
Pilot's flying log book of Flt Lt R.W. Hilken, 1935-1939 Archives, MF10117/12 Microfilm.
Pilot's flying log book of Flt Lt R.W. Hilken, 1939-1942 Archives, MF10117/13 Microfilm
Found by Search at Collections – RAF Museum Collections on
Hilken

Enquiry to DoRIS for copies (charges apply) or personal visit to view, see Home I Research I Research Enquiries I How to Make a Research Enquiry

 

I wish I could see the log books but I live in the US. Thanks for the information, I have some of that . It seems his postings are hard to find in his early years . I dont know when he started with the 54 OTU, I wander if he was a instructor pilot at this time. He is not listed in any of the Battle of Britain period as a pilot. His service with 600 squadron is easy to find. Hopefully we can find more. Thanks

 

1. Ask DoRIS.
They may be able to answer re postings from the Log Books.
2. Deceased Jul 1996 according to Ancestry.com.au
Request his RAF record for free
(may be partly redacted in absence of death cert)
Get a copy of military records of service.


Country not stated in profile.
Brief look at no of RAF posts suggested UK access.
Would have been helpful to know country of residence at least.

 

I did that once with another research. and by the time I received the death cert. and then getting the records ,it took forever. Im still hoping someone may have the info. Thank you for checking.

 

1. UK MoD limitation of 25 yrs since death for RAF Personnel records ceased around Jun 2024, see RAF Commands forum
MoD limitation of 25years since death removed - RAFCommands Forums

2.Timescale for service record requests: see this local thread, last page, post #412 of 5 Jul
Service Records application - MOD response timescale
Response times may differ as requests have increased since Jun

3. From about 2026 RAF personnel records transfer to UK National Archives now in hand will be complete, see RAF Commands thread and esp post #6 of
RAF Disclosures - No fees now - RAFCommands Forums

4. Consider joining the Forum at RAF Commands and asking your questions there
There's a fee of $US 2.00 (TWO dollars) to sign up, see Register - RAFCommands Forums
Use the General Category: see Forums - RAFCommands Forums

 

Payton
Appreciate some time has passed since you posted this, but Raleigh Willoughby Hilken is my wife's late Grandfather. I have shared this page with my Father-in-law, Peter Hilken, son of Raleigh, whom may be able to answer questions you may have if you still wish to know.

 

Welcome aboard Wayne.

Although Payton’s post was over a year ago, they were last here in May this year, so a good chance I reckon that your reply will be picked up. Fingers crossed.