Boyd, Archibald Douglas McNeill

Date of birth:: June 20th, 1918 (Sheffield/South Yorkshire, Great Britain)
Nationality:: British

Biography

Service number 72461.

Archie Boyd attended Trinity College, Oxford, where he served with the University Air Squadron from January 1938. he was called up in October 1939. After training, he was posted to No. 600 Squadron where he became a night fighter., flying Beaufighters. By March 1942 he and his radar operator had claimed five victories. After a posting as Squadron leader Night Training he was given command of No. 219 Squadron in March 1943. After having installed an improved radar, the unit was despatched to the Mediterranean to provid cover for convoys crossing the sea to invade Sicily. He returned to the UK in February 1944 and anded his second tour in August, going to HQ Fighter Command as Wing Commander Night Operations until April 1945. He ended the war with 10 confirmed victories. He was released from the RAF in February 1946. He then worked with Vickers Armstrong as a test pilot, went on to become engineer, working on nuclear submarines. He subsequently became Assistant Sales Manager and Chief Executive in 1961. He retired in 1981.

Promotions:
? : Pilot Officer
April 18th, 1940: Flying Officer
April 18th, 1941: Flight Lieutenant
June 1st, 1942: Squadron leader (temp)
June 24th, 1943: Squadron Leader (war sub)

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 600 (City of London) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: January 9th, 1942

Citation:
"Sqn. Ldr. Boyd and Fit. Lt. Glegg have flown together in numerous night operational sorties. Sqn. Ldr. Boyd is a skilful and determined pilot, and he has destroyed three enemy aircraft.
Fit. Lt. Glegg, by his great skill as observer, has largely assisted his pilot in the successes achieved. Both these officers have shown exceptional keenness and devotion to duty."

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 219 (Mysore) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: March 3rd, 1944

Citation:
"This officer assumed command of his squadron in March, 1943. He has been engaged in operational flying for the greater part of the war, and since the award of the D.F.C in January, 1942, he has destroyed seven enemy aircraft, damaging others. His squadron has, while under his leadership, played important part in successful operations during
Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns. Wing Cdr. Boyd has always displayed outstanding courage and initiative in action, together with sound administrative ability on the ground."

Sources

- SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
- Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35413 published on the 6 January 1942
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36406 published on the 29 February 1944
- Cieldegloire