Bader, Douglas Robert Stewart
- Date of birth:
- February 21st, 1910 (St John's Wood/London, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- September 5th, 1982
- Service number:
- 26151
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Douglas Robert Stewart Bader was born on February 21st, 1910 as the son to Frederick Roberts Bader and Jessie Bader. He married THelma Edwards on October 4th, 1933. After her death on January 24th, 1971, he married a second time on January 3rd, 1973 with Joan Murrat.
Douglas Bader also received a third MiD (January 31st, 1947), the CBE (January 2nd, 1956) and was knighted in June 1976.
Promotions:
?: Flight Cadet;
August 26th, 1930: Pilot Officer (seniority July 26th, 1930);
June 6th, 1932: Flying Officer;
April 1940: Acting Flight Lieutenant;
June 28th, 1940: Acting Squadron Leader;
September 24th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
March 18th, 1941: Acting Wing Commander;
?: Squadron Leader;
June 1945: Acting Group Captain;
July 1st, 1945: Temporary Wing Commander;
December 1st, 1945: Wing Commander (war subs.);
?: Temporary Group Captain;
July 21st, 1946: Group Captain.
Career:
1928: Royal Air Force College, RAF Cranwell;
July 26th, 1930 - 1931: Pilot No. 23 Squadron;
1932: Hospital RAF Uxbridge;
1933: Retirement;
1933: Asiatic Petroleum Company;
1939: Refresher Course, Central Flying School;
January 1940 - April 1940: Pilot No. 19 Squadron;
April 1940 - June 1940: Flight Commander No. 222 Squadron;
June 28th, 1940 - March 1941: Commanding Officer No. 242 Squadron;
March 1941 - August 1941: Commanding Officer Tangmere Wing;
August 1941: POW;
?: Stalag Luft III B, Sagan;
August 18th, 1942 - April 15th, 1945: Oflag IV-C, Colditz Castle;
?: Commanding Officer Fighter Leader's School;
July 21st, 1946: Retirement;
?: Executive Royal Dutch Shell;
? - 1969: Chairman Shell Aircraft Ltd.;
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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Awarded on:
- October 1st, 1940
"This officer has displayed gallantry and leadership of the highest order. During three recent engagements he has led his squadron with such skill and ability that thirty-three enemy aircraft have been destroyed. In the course of these engagements Squadron Leader Bader has added to his previous successes by destroying six enemy aircraft."
LG 34958/5789.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Awarded on:
- January 1st, 1941
LG 35029/35.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 7th, 1941
"Squadron Leader Bader has continued to lead his squadron and wing with the utmost gallantry on all occasions. He has now destroyed a total of ten hostile aircraft and damaged several more."
LG 35037/151.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Squadron Leader
- Awarded on:
- March 17th, 1941
LG 35107/1573.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Awarded on:
- July 15th, 1941
"This officer has lead his wing on a series of consistently successful sorties over enemy territory during the past three months. His high qualities of leadership and courage have been an inspiration to all. Wing Commander Bader has destroyed 15 hostile aircraft."
LG 35219/4063.
Awarded in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSO.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Wing Commander
- Awarded on:
- September 9th, 1941
"This fearless pilot has recently added a further four enemy aircraft to his previous successes; in addition he has probably destroyed another four and damaged five hostile aircraft. By his fine leadership and high courage Wing Commander Bader has inspired the wing on every occasion."
LG 35270/5217.
Received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of his first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Chevalier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- Photo 1: Public Domain
- - The London Gazette of 26th August 1930, Issue 33638
- The London Gazette of 1st October 1940, Issue 34958
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st December 1940, Issue 35029, dated 1st January 1941
- The London Gazette of 7th January 1941, Issue 35037
- The London Gazette of 14th January 1941, Issue 35042
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 14th March 1941, Issue 35107, dated 17th March 1941
- The London Gazette of 15th July 1941, Issue 35219
- The London Gazette of 9th September 1941, Issue 35270
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 24th August 1945, Issue 37240, dated 28th August 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 1st January 1946, Issue 37418, dated 4th January 1946
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 2nd August 1946, Issue 37676, dated 6th August 1946
- The London Gazette of 31st January 1947, Issue 37868
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th December 1955, Issue 40669, dated 2nd January 1956
- Ciel de la Gloire
- RAF Museum in London & RAF Museum Cosford
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