Date of death:

February 1973

Nationality:

British

Service number 87017.

Dennis Raymond Stubbs was one of five brothers all of whom served in the RAF during the war. Cecil was killed in action on 21 October 1940. Robert, the youngest, was a rear gunner with 158 Squadron who went missing on 24 May 1944. He subsequently spent 300 days as a POW and never really recovered from the trauma. Stanley lost an eye. Leslie survived intact but died prematurely.
Dennis joined the RAFVR in March 1939 and was mobilised at the outbreak of war. He gained his wings in July 1940 but was hospitalised after an accident and did not fly at all in August. He was commissioned on 6 October. He then flew Hurricanes with No. 601 Suadron and then with No. 238 Squadron until the end of the year.
After instructor training at Cranwell he was an instructor there until being posted out to South Africa as an instructor. He returned to the UK at the end of 1943 and undertook operational/conversion training on Lancasters before joining No. 9 Squadron as OC A Flight. In June 1944 he was posted to No. 50 Squadron as OC B Flight.
In November 1944 he became a Pathfinder and from January 1945 was Master Bomber with 54 Base (an administrative sub-unit of a Bomber Group). Targets included the Dortmund-Ems canal, Munich, oil plants at Politz, Rositz and Bohlen, and Operation Trondheim.
After the war he became Chief Instructor at the Aircrew NCO School. He attended the RAF Staff College followed by a tour at Air Ministry. In May 1949 flying resumed with spells as W/Cdr. Flying at Coningsby and Hemswell.
In August 1951 he joined HQ FEAF. He was created an OBE in 1954. On his return to the UK he attended the RAF Flying College and then moved to Wyton as Officer Commanding Flying Wing. In 1957 he attended the US Air War College in Alabama and later served on the staff at the USAF Command and Staff College. He returned to the Air Ministry.
He was appointed Station Commander and CO of the newly reformed No. 7 Flying Training School at Church Fenton in March 1962. This was his last flying post and ended a career that saw him pilot 35 different aircraft types from Tiger Moth to U3.
In October 1964 he became Gp.Capt. Plans & Ops at LIVE OAK based at SHAPE HQ in Paris. His last posting before retirement in June 1968 was SOA at No. 38 Group based at Odiham.

Promotions:
October 6, 1940: Pilot Officer
October 6, 1941: Flying Officer
October 6, 1942: Flight Lieutenant
April 1, 1945: Squadron Leader

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron 'Leader

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 17th, 1944

Citation:
"In August, 1944, this officer was pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack oil storage tanks at La Pallice. On the outward flight very adverse weather was encountered but Squadron Leader Stubbs was determined to complete his mission. Undeterred by heavy and accurate fire from the enemy's ground defences he commenced his bombing run and made a successful attack. Throughout this long and arduous flight Squadron Leader Stubbs displayed a high standard of leadership, courage and unswerving devotion to duty."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Unit:

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Awarded on:

October 26th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" Clasp.

• - Supplement tot The London Gazette Issue 36750 published on the 13 October 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37324 published on the 23 October 1945
  - Battle of Britain Historical Society
  - Battle of Britain Memorial