H.M.S. Eagle Air Craft Carrier.

Capt Humphrey Mountagu Whittle (1898-1942) - Find...

 

I was assuming that it was one of the aircraft known to have been used by 151 Squadron. I do not yet know Whittle's full squadron history, or the significance of the photograph.

 

No. 151 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia

Seems they never had Fairey battles in this Squadron

World War II
On 4 August 1936 the squadron was reformed at RAF North Weald from 'B' Flight of 56 Squadron, as a fighter squadron, flying Gloster Gauntlets. In December 1938 these were exchanged for Hawker Hurricanes, when the squadron came under Squadron Leader Edward Mortlock Donaldson. It operated throughout the Second World War, flying with Hawker Hurricanes, Boulton Paul Defiants and later de Havilland Mosquitoes, disbanding on 10 October 1946 at RAF Weston Zoyland.

TD

 

Indeed, but I do not know the significance of the photograph as it is not annotated. Whittle may not have served with 151 Squadron at the time the photograph was taken.

 

Superb photographs, thank you for posting them.

 

From the Lancashire Evening Post 28th October 1942.

 

This fits with 151 Squadron as they were a night fighter squadron equipped with the Boulton and Paul Defiant between Dec 1940 and Jul 1942. No. 151 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War

Group Captains are not on the flying staff of Squadrons. So how did he fall due to enemy action?

 

Info here:

Group Captain H M WHITTLE (), Royal Air Force) [Royal Air Force WW2 Casualty ]

 

the casualties from the 25th October 1942 Torquay raid.

CLIFFORD PICKERING

Sergeant

Service Number: 1207343


P.T. Instructor, Torquay Hospital

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

29 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15186.

United Kingdom




ALFRED ROE

Private


10th Devon (Torbay) Bn.

Home Guard

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

20 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15179.

United Kingdom




MAURICE WILLIAM WEEKES

Private


10th Devon (Torbay) Bn.

Home Guard

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

18 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. G. 2. Grave 15178.

United Kingdom




ALLAN HENRY WOOD

Flying Officer

Service Number: 402145


Royal Australian Air Force

Australian


Died 25 October 1942

27 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15188.

United Kingdom




ROBERT HERBERT CHAPMAN

Pilot Officer

Service Number: 412481


460 Sqdn.

Royal Australian Air Force

Australian


Died 25 October 1942

20 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15184.

United Kingdom




HELEN CORDELL BELL

Nurse

Service Number: W/589200


Voluntary Aid Detachment

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

24 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15183.

United Kingdom




WALLIS St. JOHN LITTLEWOOD

Wing Commander

Service Number: 10116


151 Sqdn.

Royal Air Force

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

51 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15185.

United Kingdom




HUMPHREY MONTAGU WHITTLE

Group Captain


151 Sqdn.

Royal Air Force

United Kingdom


Died 25 October 1942

43 years old


TORQUAY CEMETERY AND EXTENSION

Sec. M.X. Grave 15187.

United Kingdom