Date of birth:

March 23rd, 1917 (Cardiff/Wales, Great Britain)

Date of death:

September 18th, 2004 (Australia)

Service number:

37415

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Tom Dalton-Morgan joined the RAF in 1935; following his training he was posted to 22 Squadron, flying the Vickers Wildebeest, a biplane torpedobomber.
At the outbreak of World War Two he conducted training at the Air Ministry but he desired a more active role in the war. June 1940 he was posted to 43 Squadron flying Hurricanes from Tangmere.
Early June, Dalton-Morgan got his first taste of action. August 13th, he was caught in a crossfire and had to bail out, wounded slightly. September 1940, he was appointed commander of the squadron following the demise of Squadron Leader Ceasar Hull.
After having suffered heavy casualties, the squadron retired to the North where Dalton-Morgan turned out to be an excellent instructor for student pilots. He had pilots from 15 different countries under his care.
May 1941 43 Squadron saw action again from Tangmere. After having shared in the destruction of a German aircraft on July 24th, his own aircraft developed a technical defect and he was forced to ditch in the sea, losing two front teeth having been slammed against his gunsight. He was rescued by HMS Ludlow.
In Janaury he left the squadron and became Fighter Controller at Turnhouse before becoming commander of the Middle Wallop Wing in 1942 which was later extended to the Ibsley Wing. In this capacity he commanded four Spitfire squadrons, four Westland Whirlwind squadrons and two Canadian Mustang reconnaissance squadrons.
Early 1944 he was promoted and appointed Operations Officer with 10 Group Fighter Command which was preparing offensive operations over France prior to D-Day. In spite of his position, he continued flying covert operational missions.
At war’s end his tally stood at 14 confirmed victories and three shared. After the war he held several positions within the RAF until he left the service in 1952. He started working at the Weapons Research Establishment in Australia. He continued living in Australia but repeatedly returned to England to attend reunions and the Commemoration of the Battle of Britain.

Promotions:
October 21st, 1935: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
August 26th, 1936: Pilot Officer
April 26th, 1938: Flying Officer
April 26th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
June 1st, 1941: Squadron Leader (temporary)
Juni 1st, 1942: Wing Commander (temporary)
August 12th, 1942: Squadron Leader (war sub)
December 12th, 1943: Wing Commander (war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Citation:
"This officer has shown great resolution as a fighter pilot and has led his flight, and at times his squadron, with conspicuous success. He has displayed great courage and determination in the face of heavy enemy odds, and has destroyed seven enemy aircraft. His behaviour in action has been an inspiration to the pilots in his flight."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 43 (The Fighting Cocks) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 30th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

Unit:

Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 25th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group Captain

Unit:

Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Group-Captain

Awarded on:

May 3rd, 1946

• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - The London Gazette Issue 34940 published on the 6 September 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35176 published on the 30 May 1941
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36027 published on the 21 May 1943
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37119 published on the 8 June 1945
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37553 published on the 30 April 1946
  - Flight Global - Archive
  - The Times Online - Obituaries