Date of birth:

July 3rd, 1916 (Finchley/London, Great Britain)

Date of death:

April 16th, 1943 (Tunesia)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Enfidaville
Plot: V. Row: E. Grave: 22.

Service number:

37800

Nationality:

British

Military career:
Ian Gleed learned to fly at the London Aeroplane Club in 1935. Gleed joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1936 and was posted at No. 46 Squadron in December 1936. Being posted at No. 266 squadron, he got injured on February 18th, 1940 when his Spitfire broke up in mid air and he lost consciousness only to wake up on time to pull the rip cord of his parachute. Fit again, he was send to France and joined No. 87 Squadron where he made several claims. Withdrawn to England after the fall of France he scored more victories during the Battle of Britain.

In July 1942 he was rested from flying combat missions and posted to HQ Fighter Command as Wing Commander Tactics, becoming Wing Commander Operations in December 1942.

Early 1943 he was send to the Middle East and posted at No. 145 Squadron. On April 1943, Gleed was hit in an aerial fight after which he set course for the Tunesian coast. His Spitfire was found on sand dunes near the sea on the western coastline of Cap Bon. His body was not found there but it is known that he was buried at Tazoghrane. He was reburied in the Military Cemetery at Enfidaville on 25th April 1944.

Promotions:
May 4th, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
March 9th, 1937: Pilot officer
October 8th, 1938: Flying Officer
3 september 1940: Flight Lieutenant
September 1st, 1941: Squadron Leader

Personal life
Modern sources have described Gleed as gay. Gleed's memoir has been published and he was also the subject of a 1978 biography, Fighter Leader, by aviation historian Norman Franks. The publisher of his memoir was worried about how Ian's life might be interpreted by the public and reportedly encouraged Gleed to invent a fictional fiancée called Pam.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 87 (United Provinces) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

May 22nd, 1942

Citation:
"This officer has led his wing on 26 sorties over enemy territory. He has always displayed a fine fighting spirit which, combined with his masterly leadership and keenness, has set an inspiring example. Wing Commander Gleed has destroyed at least 12 enemy aircraft, 2 of which he shot down at night."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

April 9th, 1943

With Palm

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

June 5th, 1946

Posthumously awarded

• Photo 1: IWM CM 5005 (Public Domain)
• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - The London Gazette Issue 34945 published on the 13 September 1940
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35569 published on the 19 May 1942
  - Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35973 published on the 6 April 1943
  - The Battle of Britain London Monument
  - The unofficial website for Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
  

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