Date of death:

October 31st, 1949 (Yeovil/Somerset, United Kingdom)

Service number:

69475

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Born in 1921 or 1922. Promoted from the rank of L/Ac to the rank of P/O on probation for the duration of hostilities on 19 June 1941 and announced in the London Gazette 18 July 1941.
P/O rank confirmed and promoted to Flying Officer (temp) on 19 Jun 1942, announced in the London Gazette 31 July 1942.

Killed in a aeroplane crash while working as a test pilot for Westland Aircraft. The plane, a development version of the Westland Wyvern, crashed in Yeovil, Somerset on 31 October 1949 killing its pilot and others.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 126 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1942

Pilot Officer Graves is a skilful pilot and a fine leader. In May, 1942, he led the squadron in an attack on an enemy bombing force. Although the bombers were heavily escorted by fighters, Pilot Officer Graves' squadron destroyed 5 Italian bombers. This officer has personally destroyed at least 3 hostile aircraft.

• Photo 1: David Vincent Jones
• - The London Gazette, Publication date: 18 July 1941, Issue: 35222, Page: 4128
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35621/supplement/2980
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35650/supplement/
  - Yeovil's Virtual Museum, the A-to-Z of Yeovil's History - by Bob Osborn