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McNair, Robin John

    Date of birth:
    May 21st, 1918 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
    Date of death:
    1995 (Chichester district, United Kingdom)
    Service number:
    745416/112522
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Promotions:
    ?: Sergeant;
    November 26th, 1941: Pilot Officer on probation (emergency);
    October 1st, 1942: Flying Officer on probation (war subs.);
    November 26th, 1943: Fright Lieutenant (war subs.);
    ?: Acting Squadron Leader;
    ?: Acting WIng Commander.

    Career:
    ?: Gaveney House School, Hampstead;
    ?: Douai School;
    February 1939: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves;
    ?: Initial Training Wing, St Leonards-on-Sea;
    July 1940: No. 3 Squadron;
    ?: No. 249 Squadron;
    December 1940: No. 96 Squadron;
    ?: Night Flight Instructor;
    1942: No. 87 Squadron;
    ?: Flight Commander No. 245 Squadron;
    1944: Commanding Officer No. 247 Squadron;
    August 1944: No. 124 Wing;
    1944: Senior Instructor No. 12 Group;
    1945: Chief Flying Instructor No. 55 Operational Training Unit;
    ?: Commanding Officer No. 74 Squadron;
    ?: Ministry of Civil Aviation;
    1946: British European Airways;
    1951 - 1956: Deputy Director Associated Companies, BEA;
    ? - 1979: British Airways.

    Victories:
    March 12th, 1941: Heinkel He 111.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Pilot Officer
    Unit:
    No. 87 (United Provinces) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    September 22nd, 1942
    Awarded for:
    Operation Jubilee
    Citation:
    "This officer is a most capable operational pilot. In night-flying operations he has destroyed a Heinkel 111 and probably destroyed 2 Junkers 88's. In the combined operations at Dieppe, his cool and courageous work set an inspiring example."

    LG 35712/4112.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 247 (China-British) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    September 26th, 1944
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Citation:
    "Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader McNair has completed very many sorties, involving attacks on a wide range of targets. In July, 1944, while leading his squadron on an armed reconnaissance over Northern France, his aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire. A few minutes later the engine became useless. Displaying great coolness and skill, Squadron Leader McNair glided his aircraft over the enemy lines amidst a barrage of fire from the enemy's ground defences and completed a successful landing in a field. This officer has at all times shown courage, tenacity and skill in attacking the enemy. His keenness and fine leadership, have been responsible for the high morale of his squadron."

    LG 36718/4442.
    Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.

    Sources

    • Photo: Wikipedia
    • - The London Gazette of 13th January 1942, Issue 35416
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th September 1942, Issue 35712, dated 22nd September 1942
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 10th November 1942, Issue 35784, dated 13th November 1942
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th November 1943, Issue 36271, dated3rd December 1943
      - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 22nd September 1944, Issue 36718, dated 26th September 1944
      - Battle of Britain London Monument

    Photo