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Wicks, Bryan John

Date of birth:
1920 (Felixstow/Suffolk, Great Britain)
Date of death:
October 12th, 1942
Mentioned on:
Malta War Memorial
Plot: 2-1. 
Service number:
40774
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Bryan John Wicks was shot down in his Spitfire Mk V, BR377, when engaiging Junkers Ju 88's who were attacking Hal Far. Although he was seen hanging on his parachute, he was not found and reported missing in action.

Promotions:
May 7th, 1938: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
?: Flying Officer;
September 3rd, 1940: Temporary Squadron Leader;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.).

Career:
?: Seaford College, Sussex;
March 1938: Royal Air Force;
May 21st, 1938: No. 6 Flying Training School, Netheravon;
December 17th, 1938: No. 56 Squadron, North Weald;
November 1941: Commanding Officer No. 610 Squadron, Leconfield;
December 1941 - March 1942: Commanding Officer No. 64 Squadron, Hornchurch;
August 1942: Commanding Officer No. 126 Squadron, Luqa, Malta.

Victories:
August 16th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (claim);
August 24th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
August 30th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1941

LG 35029/36.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
June 6th, 1941
Citation:
"This officer has served with the squadron since the war began. In May, 1940, during the intensive air operations in France, he was forced to land behind the German lines after he had destroyed one of their aircraft.
Nevertheless, he succeeded in reaching this country in safety. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of others. Flight Lieutenant Wicks, who recently assumed command of his flight, has shown excellent qualities of leadership and determination."

LG 35183/3228.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
  • - The London Gazette of 24th May 1938, Issue 34513
    - The London Gazette of 20th September 1940, Issue 34949
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st December 1940, Issue 35029, dated 1st January 1941
    - The London Gazette of 6th June 1941, Issue 35183
    - The London Gazette of 25th November 1941, Issue 35358
    - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission

Photo

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