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Marples, Roy

Date of birth:
January 22nd, 1920 (Muswell Hill-London, Great Britain)
Date of death:
April 26th, 1944 (Washington/Sussex, Great Britain)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves Chichester Cemetery
Plot: E. Row: 159C. Grave: 10.
Service number:
70868
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Roy Marples was born on January 22nd, 1920 as son to Percy Salisbury Marples and Elizabeth Marie Louise Marples. He was married to Kathleen Gladys Victoria Marples. He was killed on April 25th, 1944 with No. 329 (French) Squadron and the rank of Wing Commander. He collided with another aircraft in his Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX, MK371.

Promotions:
March 28th, 1938: Acting Pilot Officer;
May 8th, 1940: Pilot Officer;
September 3rd, 1940: Flying Officer;
?: Acting Flight Lieutenant;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
January 1st, 1944: Temporary Squadron Leader;
?: Acting Wing Commander.

Career:
?: Stockport Grammar School;
?: Manchester University;
January 1938: Royal Air Force;
April 9th, 1938: No. 8 Flying Training School;
October 29th, 1938: No. 19 Squadron;
May 1940: No. 616 Squadron, Rochford;
August 26th, 1940 - November 7th, 1940: Kent and Canterbury Hospital;
July 1941: Flight Commander No. 41 Squadron, Merston;
Jne 9th, 1942: Flight Commander No. 127 Squadron, Wastern Desert;
July 20th, 1942: Commanding Officer No. 238 Squadron;
November 25th, 1942 - January 26th, 1943: Commanding Officer No. 145 Squadron;
April 1944: Commanding Officer No. 145 Wing, Merston.

Victories:
June 1st, 1940: Heinkel He 111 (damaged)
June 26th, 1940: Heinkel He 111;
August 15th, 1940: Junkers Ju 88 (probably);
May 5th, 1941: Junker Ju 88 (damaged);
June 22nd, 1941: Messerschmitt Me 109;
June 26th, 1941: Messerschmitt Me 109 (damaged);
August 9th, 1941: Messerschmitt Me 109 (probably);
August 12th, 1941: Messerschmitt Me 109 (shared);
August 21st, 1941: Messerschmitt Me 109 (probably);
September 18th, 1941: Junkers W34 (shared);
July 8th, 1942: Messerschmitt Me 109 (shared);
October 30th, 1942: Junker Ju 87 (probably);
January 12th, 1943: Macchi Mc202.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 17th, 1941
Citation:
"This officer has shown great courage and leadership as a flight commander. He has carried out 52 operational sorties over enemy territory and has destroyed 2, probably destroyed 3 and damaged a further 2 enemy aircraft. His keenness and personal example have been outstanding."

LG 35312/6034.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Squadron Leader
Unit:
No. 238 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
January 5th, 1943
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"In November, 1942, this officer participated in intensive attacks on the enemy's transports and supply lines. During the period, his squadron destroyed 50 and disabled 90 more transports and 3 aircraft. By his skilful leadership and courageous example Squadron Leader Marples contributed materially to the successes obtained."

LG 35849/163.
Second DFC awarded in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Sources

  • Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
  • - The London Gazette of 12th April 1938, Issue 34501
    - The London Gazette of 25th June 1940, Issue 34881
    - The London Gazette of 20th September 1940, Issue 34949
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 14th October 1941, Issue 35312, dated 17th October 1941
    - The London Gazette of 28th October 1941, Issue 35326
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st January 1943, Issue 35849, dated 5th January 1943
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th January 1944, Issue 36340, dated 21st January 1944
    - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission

Photo

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