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Lovell, Peter Wilson

Date of birth:
July 1921 (London, Great Britain)
Date of death:
March 1966
Service number:
42351
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Peter Lovell joined the RAF in 1939 and initially fley Spitfires wit No. 234 Squadron. In June 1942 he joined No. 603 Squadron and in August No. 229 Squadron, defending Malta from continuing German air attacks. Subsequently he was transferred to No. 74 Squadron flying Kitty Hawks and Hurricanes in the desert until July 1943, when he was transferred to No. 127 Squadron, and subsequently employed as a Liaison Officer. Returning to active service in Mustangs of No. 112 Squadron in June of 1943, Lovell went on to complete his second tour of duty for which he was awarded the DFC. As a Regular Officer after the War, he served as a Squadron Leader in Vampires and Venoms of No. 60 Squadron in Malaya between May 1955 and April 1956, attended the Staff College at Andover and gained advancement to Wing Commander in Fighter Command at Bentley Priory. Tragically his promising career was cut short by a fatal car crash in Germany in March 1966, while he was attached to N.A.T.O.

Lovell was also awarded the Air Force Cross (June 8th, 1950 - Acting Squadron Leader)

Promotions:
February 10th, 1940: Pilot Officer (probation)
May 30th, 1940: Pilot Officer
Fenruary 10th, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
February 10th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
February 21st, 1946: commissioned as Flight Lieutenant (4 years on the active list)
July 1st, 1946: appointed as Flight Lieutenant (permanent)
? Squadron Leader
January 1st, 1959: Wing Commander

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 260 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
February 23rd, 1945
Recommendation:
"Flight Lieutenant Lovell has almost completed his second tour of operations. He commenced his first tour in England carrying out offensive sweeps over France. In May 1942 he operated from Malta in defence of the Island until September of that year, completing his tour on defensive patrols over shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean. Flight Lieutenant Lovell returned to operations in June 1944 serving with a Fighter-Bomber Squadron in Italy as a Flight Leader and Flight Commander. During his present tour he has led many attacks against enemy forward positions, communications and shipping. In bombing and straffing attacks Flight Lieutenant Lovell has personally destroyed many enemy locomotives, railway trucks and road transport and his excellent leadership has been responsible for the locating and subsequent destruction of many important targets. Flight Lieutenant Lovell has carried out more than 200 sorties against the enemy and his example in pressing home attacks has contributed much to the successes of the Squadron."

LG 36954/1071
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)

With "NORTH AFRICA 1942-43" clasp.
Africa Star

Sources

  • - The London Gazette Issue 34817 published on the 26 March 1940
    - The London Gazette Issue 34892 published on the 9 July 1940
    - The London Gazette Issue 35134 published on the 11 April 1941
    - The London Gazette Issue 35498 published on the 24 March 1942
    - Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36954 published on the 20 February 1945
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37659 published on the 19 July 1946
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37936 published on the 18 April 1947
    - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38929 published on the 2 June 1950
    - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41586 published on the 26 December 1958
    - Christies

Photo