Woolley, Frank Geoffrey
- Date of birth:
- June 1st, 1922 (Derby/Derbyshire, England)
- Date of death:
- November 28th, 1959 (Manby/Lincolnshire, England)
- Service number:
- 105174
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
Frank Woolley was born on 1st June 1922 in Derby, Egnland. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves in July 1940 in Singapore. At first he was placed with the 4 AACU and was posted in Iraq in September 1940. In October he started his training with 4 SFTS and was promoted to Pilot Officer on 29th March 1941. In Iraq he flew with No. 244 Squadron, flying in the Vickers Vincent. On 29th March 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer. In April 1942 he left Iraq to be posted in South Africa, but was later that year send to the United Kingdom to the 57 OTU. In January 1943 he was placed with No 132 Squadron.
His promotion to Flight Lieutenant followed on 29th March 1943. In November he joined the No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron. After a brief hold up in the HQ, ADGB, he joined the Fighter Leaders School and moved in October 1944 to the 83 GSU. On 13th January 1945 he was entered in the No. 41 Squadron, but was transferred to the No 350 (Belgian) Squadron to replace its Commander from 27th February until 15th April 1945. From 15th April he commander the No. 130 (Punjab) Squadron until July 1946.
Frank Woolley died in a plane crash during a flying course at Manby on 28th November 1959.
Promotions:
Leading aircraftman;
29th March 1941: Pilot Officer (probation);
29th March 1942: Pilot Officer;
29th March1942: Flying Officer (war substitute);
29th March 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war substitute);
1st July 1946: Flight Lieutenant (from 1st September 1945).
Victories:
With No. 41 Squadron:
13th January 1945: Focke Wulf Fw 190D (probably, Rhine area);
13th March 1945: Messerschmit Me 109 (Rhine area);
With No. 130 Squadron:
22nd April 1945: Messerschmit Bf 108 (Wismar);
25th April 1945: Siebel Si 204;
28th April 1945: Focke Wulf Fw 190 (Schweriner Meer)
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flying Officer
- Unit:
- No. 244 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- July 15th, 1941
"In May 1941, one of our aircraft crashed during an attack on an armoured train in enemy territory. In spite of difficult ground, Pilot Officer Woolley landed his aircraft beside the wreckage and picked up the injured pilot and airman. Enemy forces, who had detrained, came towards his aircraft but Pilot Officer Woolley took off over the bad ground with five injured crew and flew safely back to his base. By his prompt and gallant action, Pilot Officer Woolley undoubtedly prevented these airmen from falling into the hands of the enemy and enabled the pilot to receive the medical attention he so urgently needed."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 130 (Punjab) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- July 24th, 1945
Remarks of Commander of Wing:
"Squadron Leader Woolley is a determined and aggressive Leader whose fighting capabilities are reflected in the success achieved by his Squadron. In April alone his Squadron destroyed 38 enemy aircraft with a further 13 either probably destroyed or damaged. Strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross."
Remarks of Air Officer Commanding:
"Squadron Leader Woolley's tour as a fighter Squadron Commander has been outstandingly successful and his personal score of enemy aircraft destroyed alone has well earned the non-immediate award of a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross for which I recommend him."
Second DFC received as bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Published in The London Gazette dated 24th July 1945.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Awarded on:
- January 1st, 1949
Published in The London Gazette, dated 1st January 1949.
- Rank:
- Wing Commander
- Awarded on:
- May 31st, 1956
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 20th July 1945, Issue 37192, dated 24th July 1945
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th February 1947, Issue 37892, dated 28th February 1947
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th April 1947, Issue 37942, dated 29th April 1947
- Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st December 1948, Issue 38493, dated 1st January 1949
- No. 350 Squadron
- British Medals
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