Reid, David Wilson

Date of birth:: 1906
Date of death:: December 1989
Service number:: 32062
Nationality:: British

Biography

Commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation in the RAF in October 1928, and confirmed in his appointment on 8th July 1929. He was promoted to Flying Officer in April 1930, Flight Lieutenant April 1936, Squadron Leader December 1938, Wing Commander October 1946, and retired 18th September 1956, on his 50th Birthday. He died in 1989 and was cremated in Kettering, after remarrying and settling down in Wellingborough.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: October 1st, 1940

Citation:
"One night in September 1940, this officer successfully carried out a dive-bombing attack on an assembly of barges in Ostend Harbour. On arrival over the target area, he made reconnaissance runs at an altitude of 1000 feet, during which he carefully selected the most vital parts to attack. He then climbed to 6000 feet and made a dive attack to 500 feet, and obtained direct hits on the target with a stick of eight 250-lb bombs. During the preliminary runs and the attack intense anit-aircraft fire seriously damaged his aircraft affecting its controls and shattering the pilot's compass and the rear gun hatches. Despite these difficulties Wing Commander Reid pressed home his attack with great determination, courage and skill, showing complete disregard for his personal safety."

London Gazette dated 1 October 1940.