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Fenton, Harold Arthur

Date of birth:
February 9th, 1909 (Gallegos, Argentina)
Date of death:
1995
Service number:
27127
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
September 14th, 1929: Pilot Officer;
March 14th, 1930: Flying Officer;
April 1st, 1937: Flight Lieutenant (seniority April 1st, 1936);
June 1st, 1940: temporary Squadron Leader;
December 1st, 1941: teporary Wing Commander;
March 29th, 1943: Wing Commander (war subs.);
October 26th, 1945: Group Captain (war subs.);
?: Acting Air Commodore;

Career:
?: Sandford Park School;
?: Trinity College, Dublin;
1928: Royal Air Force;
1929: No. 4 Squadron, Farnborough;
1930: No. 5 Squadron, India;
?: Tochi Scouts, Miranshah;
September 14th, 1933: Reserves;
1933: Civil Flying Instructor;
?: Chief Flying Instructor Air Service Training, Hamble, Hampshire;
February 1940: Flight Commander Advanced Training Squadron, No. 8 Flying Training School, Motrose;
June 1940: Commanding Officer No. 238 Squadron;
September 1941: Commanding Officer No. 243 Wing;
July 1942: Commanding Officer No. 212 Group;
1943: Commanding Officer Kenley Fighter Sector;
1943: Group Captain Operations, 2nd Tactical Air Force, Bracknell;
?: Commanding Officer No. 84 Group Control Centre;
?: Commanding Officer No. 83 Group Control Centre;
1944: Senior Staff Officer No. 83 Group;
March 18th, 1946: Released of Service;
1946: Managing Director Deccan Airways;
1949 - 1952: General Manager of Airways Training and Operations Manager of BOAC;
1952: Managing Director Peter Jones;
1958: Retirement;

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Wing Commander
Awarded on:
June 11th, 1942

LG 35586/2517.
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Wing Commander
Awarded on:
July 28th, 1942
Citation:
"This officer has led his wing successfully on many sorties. One day in May, 1942, he encountered 15 enemy bombers escorted by an equal number of fighters. Wing Commander Fenton, with two other pilots, immediately attacked the bombers and delivered four attacks, before his own aircraft was hit by fire from an enemy fighter.
Wing Commander Fenton's windscreen became covered in oil but he was able to return to base where he made'a safe landing. This officer is a fine leader who inspires much confidence in others."

LG 35646/3302.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Group Captain
Awarded on:
February 16th, 1943
Citation:
"Since being awarded the D.F.C., this officer has successfully led his wing in operation on a number of occasions. During the anxious period of withdrawal from the Western Desert Group Capt. Fenton was responsible for the general administration of the wing and the evacuation of all aircraft, which was successfully and expeditiously executed.
By his calm and efficient bearing at critical moments he instilled confidence into all with whom he came in contact. This officers brilliant leadership and guidance resulted in the great success achieved in November, 1942, culminating in the destruction and capture of o large part of the enemy's equipment."

LG 35904/815.
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Air Commodore
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1946

LG 37407/33.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Sources

  • - The London Gazette of 1st october 1929, Issue 33539
    - The London Gazette of 15th April 1930, Issue 33597
    - The London Gazette of 19th September 1933, Issue 33979
    - The London Gazette of 26th October 1937, Issue 34447
    - The London Gazette of 7th June 1940, Issue 34866
    - The London Gazette of 6th January 1942, Issue 35408
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 5th June 1942, Issue 35586, dated 11th June 1942
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 24th July 1942, Issue 35646, dated 28th July 1942
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 12th February 1943, Issue 35904, dated 16th February 1943
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st June 1943, Issue 36041, dated 4th June 1943
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th November 1945, Issue 37362, dated 23rd November 1945
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th December 1945, Issue 37407, dated 1st January 1946
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 15th March 1946, Issue 37504, dated 19th March 1946
    - Battle of Britain London Memorial
    - Aviation News | Aviation Industry & Airline Statistics | flightglobal.com

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