Date of birth:

February 25th, 1912 (Edmonton/Alberta, Canada)

Date of death:

May 3rd, 1943 (Shot down over the English Channel)

Buried on:

Air Forces Memorial Runnymede

Service number:

37715

Nationality:

Canadian

Howard Blatchford enrolled in the R.A.F. in February 1936 and was posted to 41 Squadron, R.A.F. in 1937. He was transferred to 212 Squadron R.A.F. in April 1940 and in June he went to the Photographic Development Unit as Flight Commander. In September 1940 he was transferred to 17 Squadron R.A.F. His last transfer was to 257 Squadron R.A.F. In July 1941 he was made Commanding Officer 257 Squadron and in September he was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed Wing Leader of the Digby Wing. In April 1943 he became Wing Commander of the Coltishall Wing.
On May 3rd, while on an escort mission to a powerplant in Amsterdam, he was shot down by Oberfeldwebel Heinz Ehlers of II./ Jagdgeschwader 1. His body was never recovered.
During his operational career, he downed five enemy aircraft, he was credited with three shared kills, three probable, four damaged and one shared damaged.

Promotions:
March 30th, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
February 3rd, 1937: Pilot Officer;
November 3rd, 1938: Flying Officer;
September 3rd, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
December 1st, 1941: temporary Squadron Leader;

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 257 (Burma) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

December 6th, 1940

Citation:
"In November, 1940, this officer was the leader of a squadron which destroyed eight and damaged a further five enemy aircraft in one day. In the course of the combat he rammed and damaged a hostile fighter when his ammunition was expended, and then made two determined head-on feint attacks on enemy fighters, which drove them off. He has shown magnificent leadership and outstanding courage.

LG 35009/6938.

• Photo 1: Aces of WW2
• - The London Gazette of 14th April 1936, Issue 34274
  - The London Gazette of 9th February 1937, Issue 34369
  - The London Gazette of 6th December 1938, Issue 34577
  - The London Gazette of 8th October 1940, Issue 34964
  - The London Gazette of 6th December 1940, Issue 35009
  - The London Gazette of 16th December 1941, Issue 35383
  - CWGC
  

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