Date of birth:

1916

Date of death:

February 23rd, 1989

Service number:

39757

Nationality:

British

Wing Commander Richy was also awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal in 1959 when he rescued a woman from heavy seas off Portofino in Italy
In 1982 he was made Chevalier Legion d'Honneur largely to mark his post-war work for Anglo-French relations.
His medals are held in the Imperial War Museum

Promotions:
May 18th, 1937: Acting Pilot Officers on probation;
January 4th, 1940: Flying Officer;
January 4th, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war sub);
March 1st, 1942: temporary Squadron Leader;
July 21st, 1943: Squadron Leader (war sub);
July 20th, 1948: Flight Lieutenant (Seniority April 27th, 1948);
October 6th, 1949: Squadron Leader.

Career:
March 15th, 1941: Reserves;
October 6th, 1949 - January 15th, 1952: No. 601 (County of London) Squadron;
July 20th, 1958: retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

November 5th, 1940

Awarded as an immediate DFC for an action over Metz.

LG 34986/6393.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 8th, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has displayed great skill and coolness throughout the numerous operational missions in which he has participated and has destroyed at least nine enemy aircraft and damaged a further seven. As a flight commander he has invariably displayed a high sense of responsibility for the safety of his fellow pilots."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Awarded as an immediate DFC.
LG 35241/4570.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Citation:
'For his bravery and coolness which he showed in leading a squadron of Belgian fighter pilots during numerous offensive operations above the continent. This officer was responsible for nine confirmed victories and seven probable victories'

LG 35356/6770.
Permission to wear the decoration granted on November 24th, 1941.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Wing Commander

LG 38603/2235.
Permission to wear the decoration granted on May 6th, 1949.

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)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Citation:
"A pilot of exceptional courage and daring who after having participated brilliantly in operations over France during which he was very seriously wounded, retook his place in a squadron in 1941. Since that time he has carried out many offensive operations over occupied territories as a Flight Commander and later as Squadron Leader, showing in this way the best personal example to the French Pilots in the unit which he commanded. A perfect model of a fighter pilot of the British Royal Air Force."

With bronze Palm.

• - The London Gazette of 1st June 1937, Issue 34403
  - The London Gazette of 9th January 1940, Issue 34769
  - The London Gazette of 5th November 1940, Issue 34986
  - The London Gazette of 25th April 1941, Issue 35145
  - The London Gazette of 8th August 1941, Issue 35241
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st November 1941, Issue 35356 dated 25th November 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35503 published on the 27 March 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st March 1944, Issue 36451, dated 4th April 1944
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 7th November 1944, Issue 36787 dated 10th November 1944
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 3rd September 1948, Issue 38397 dated 7th September 1948
  - The London Gazette of 6th May 1949, Issue 38603
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th November 1949, Issue 38760, dated 15th November 1949
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 4th April 1952, Issue 39510 dated 8th April 1952
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 8th August 1958, Issue 41469 dated 12th August 1958
  - Imperial War Museum
  - 609 (WR) Squadron