Date of birth:

October 8th, 1917 (Thornhill/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

March 28th, 2005 (Colchester/Essex, Great Britain)

Service number:

41457

Nationality:

Canadian

After receiving his wings Richard Patrick joined No. 206 Squadron, a Coastal Command unit operating in Ansons (and later Hudsons), on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. He participated in over 80 sorties in the period leading up to December 1940, and another dozen or so from March to September 1941.
The sorties mainly comprised reconnaissance work, convoy patrols and anti-submarine operations, the latter including an attack on a U-Boat off Lundy Island on 20 September 1939. Patrick also attacked three E-Boats with machine-gun and cannon fire in April 1941.
Returning to No. 206 Squadron for a second tour of operations in the following year, as Acting Squadron Leader - and latterly piloting Fortress aircraft - he participated in at least four anti-U-boat strikes, one of them, on 9 February 1943, bearing all the hallmarks of a successful kill: 'Attacked U-Boat, direct hit. U-Boat lifted bodily, slewed 30 degrees. U-Boat sank straight down and an uprush of bubbles was seen'.
In another attack with six depth-charges on 24 April, a U-Boat was seen to crash-dive and left a slight scum on the surface afterwards.
Patrick, who also piloted one of 12 squadron Hudsons in the Thousand Bomber Raid on Bremen in late June 1942, was finally rested in February 1944, returning to the U.K. from 206's latest base at Lagens in the Azores.
Subsequently Patrick held a regular commission after the War's end.
After his retirement he went on to found a company involved in the supply of aircraft engineering components.

Promotions::
September 3th, 1939: Pilot Officer (probation)
October 6th, 1939: Pilot Officer
September 3th, 1940: Flying Officer
? Flight Lieutenant
July 1st, 1944: Temporary Squadron Leader
July 1st, 1946: appointment to commission as Flight Lieutenant
? Squadron Leader
July 1st 1955: Wing Commander
October, 1964: retirement

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

September 26th, 1941

Recommendation:
"Flying Officer R.C. Patrick has been a member of No.206 Squadron since August 1939, and has at all times set a high example of flying and devotion to duty. His qualities of endurance are exceptional, having completed 900 hours operational flying without showing any signs of strain. His willingness to seek and engage the enemy has always been an inspiration to the less experienced pilots of the unit.

The outstanding attacks which have been carried out by him against ground targets are:
"(a) Two attacks on enemy dockyards in July 1940, when direct hits were registered in spite of accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire.

"(b) A daring attack on De Kooy aerodrome, when he released his bombs at 400 feet scoring direct hits on aerodrome buildings.

"Flying Officer Patrick has recently been employed on special long range operations in Hudson aircraft. These he has carried out most zealously and with the greatest accuracy."

To the above, the Air Officer Commanding, No.19 Group, adds:

"This officer was detailed for operation "Hooligan", and on one occasion having reached his destination and preparing to land, he was signaled not to pursue the operation further and so returned to base."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 5th, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

September 7th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer is an excellent pilot and captain of aircraft and has proved himself to be an enthusiastic worker. Since the inauguration of the Pacific Service this officer has been based at San Diego and as the Senior Captain on the route, has performed all the route checks of the junior captains."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo: 206 Squadron: Coastal Command
  
• - The London Gazette Issue 34705 published on the 10 October 1939
  - The London Gazette Issue 34976 published on the 22 October 1940
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35287 published on the 23 September 1941
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36500 published on the 2 May 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36618 published on the 18 July 1944
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37256 published on the 4 September 1945
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38035 published on the 1 August 1947
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 40524 published on the 28 June 1955
  - Dix Noonan Webb
  - 206 Squadron: Coastal Command
  - The Canada Veterans Hall of Valour