Date of birth:

December 14th, 1911 (Luton/Bedfordshire, Great Britain)

Date of death:

March 12th, 2006 (Taunton/Somerset, Great Britain)

Service number:

43367

Nationality:

British

Chris Currant joined the RAF at the age of 25 and on completion of his training, he was posted to 46 Squadron, followed by a posting to 151 Squadron and subsequently to 605 Squadron. In May 1940, 605 Squadron saw action over France, flying Hurricanes.
August 1941 he started his second tour as commander of 501 Squadron and he appeared in the motion picture "First of the Few" which was being shot at the time.
Following D-Day, when he commanded 122 Wing, he and Wing Commander Simpson went to the United States for four months, where he gave lectures.
At the end of World War Two, Bunny Currant had destroyed 10 enemy aircraft himself and five shared.
After the war he remained in the RAF and was discharged in January 1959.
Later on, he was employed by Hunting Engineering, occupying himself with research and development of weapons for the RAF.

Promotions:
?: Pilot Officer
?: Flying Officer
23 juni 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
23 september 1942: Squadron Leader (war sub)
? :Acting Wing Commander
1 september 1945: Aanstelling als Squadron Leader
1 juli 1947: Wing Commander
11 januari 1959: Ontslag uit dienst
30 september 1960: Onderscheiden met de Noorse Orde van St. Olav (Ridder 1ste klas)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

October 8th, 1940

Citation:
"This officer has led his flight with great skill and courage in air combats in the defence of London. He has destroyed seven enemy aircraft and damaged a number of others. His splendid example and fine fighting spirit have inspired the other pilots in his flight."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Citation:
"Since September, 1940, this officer has personally destroyed six enemy aircraft and damaged several others, bringing his total to thirteen. He has led his flight, and on occasions his squadron, with great success, and shows a sound knowledge of tactics against the enemy."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 7th, 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

April 9th, 1943

Citation:
"As Officer Commanding a Squadron containing a number of Belgian pilots, he has shewn outstanding bravery and tenacity. He led the squadron brilliantly in many offensive operations over enemy occupied territory and has never ceased to be an inspiration to them by his keenness for combat of which he is so admirable a master."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1:
• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - The London Gazette Issue 34964 published on the 8 October 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 34993 published on the 15 November 1940
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35621 published on the 3 July 1942
  - Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35973 published on the 6 April 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36866 published on the 29 December 1944
  - Bonhams