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Lock, Eric Stanley

Date of birth:
1920 (Bayston Hill/Shropshire, Great Britain)
Date of death:
August 3rd, 1941 (Pas de Calais)
Mentioned on:
Air Forces Memorial Runnymede
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Service number 81642 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves.

Promotions:
18th July 1940: Pilot Officer;
18th June 1941: Flying Officer (war substitution);

Career:
18th June 1940: No 41 Squadron;
3rd August 1941: Shot down with Spitfire MkV No. W3257. Killed in action during ground strafing somewhere in the Pas de Calais.

Victories:
15th August 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
5th September 1940: 2x Heinkel He 111, 2x Messerschmitt Bf 109;
6th September 1940: Junkers Ju 88;
9th September 1940: 2x Messerschmitt Bf 109, 1x Junkers Ju 88, 1x Messerschmit Bf 110;
11th September 1940: Junkers Ju 88, Messerschmitt Bf 110;
14th September 1940: 2x Messerschmit Bf 109;
15th September 1940: Messerschmit Bf 109, Dornier Do 17;
20th september 1940: unknown plane;
9th October 1940: 3x Messerschmitt Bf 109
October 1940: 3x Messerschmitt Bf 109;
November 1940: 5x unknown plane;
17th November 1940: 2x Messerschmitt Bf 109;
May/June/July 1941: 4x Messerschmitt Bf 109.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 1st, 1940
Citation:
"This officer has destroyed nine enemy aircraft, eight of these within a period of one week. He has displayed great vigour and determination in pressing home his attacks."

The London Gazette dated 1st October 1940.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 22nd, 1940
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Citation:
"In September, 1940, whilst engaged on a patrol over the Dover area, Pilot Officer Lock engaged three Heinkel H111's one of which he shot down into the sea. Immediately afterwards he engaged a Henschel 126 and destroyed it. He has displayed great courage in the face of heavy odds, and his skill and coolness in combat have enabled him to destroy fifteen enemy aircraft within a period of nineteen days."

Second decoration received as bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 17th, 1940
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Citation:
"This officer has shown exceptional keenness and courage in his attacks against the enemy. In November, 1940, whilst engaged with his
squadron in attacking a superior number of enemy forces, he destroyed two Messerschmitt 109's, thus bringing his total to at least twenty-two. His magnificent fighting spirit and personal example have been in the
highest traditions of the service."

The London Gazette dated 17th December 1940.

Sources

  • Photo 1: RAF
  • Photo: Royal Air Force photo
  • - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34910, dated Tuesday 30th July 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34958, dated Tuesday 1st October 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 34976, dated Tuesday 22nd October 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 35015, dated Tuesday 17th December 1940
    - The London Gazette, Issue 35222, dated Friday 18th July 1941

Photo

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