Service number:

80204

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Cyril Hudson-Beck, an Andrean graduate, began flight training in April 1941 on Oxfords. In January 1942 he transferred to 42 OTU Andover and began training on Blenheims. In June 1942 he transferred to 13 Squadron at Odiham. He had his first raid on August 19th with a raid on Dieppe with Smoke Bombs. He left the UK in November to be stationed in Norh-Africa where he became verey active in various missions such as bombing Tunesia and Biserte docks and Aerodrome, Enfidaville and Sidi Ahmed. In December 1943 he was taken off front line duty and began training on Mitchells in the run up to D-Day where he flew Circus missions at N.Abbeville and Boulogne. He completed his tour in December 1944.
He returned to training on Oxford's in February 1945, he was himself trained on Dakota's in March and went out to Africa in June 1945, spending the remainder of 1945 flying in Africa. He was discharged from the RAF on 26.1.1946.
He later became a commercial pilot and eventually clocked over 26,000 hours, with flights around Africa, and Africa to London.
He was also awarded the Zimbabwe Independence Medal 1980; Rhodesia, Order of the Legion of Merit (1970), in silver, gilt and enamel.

Promotions:
Sergeant
October 14th, 1941: Pilot Officer (probation/emergency)
October 14th, 1942: Flying Officer (probation/wars sub)
October 14th, 1943: Flight Lieutnenant (war sub)

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 13 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 13 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

May 25th, 1943

Citaton:
"On one occasion this officier successfully bombed Bizerta docks from 1,000 feet, while his gunner silenced a gun post and extinguished a searchlight. More retenlly he has successfully attacked enemy airfields from the same height in the face of intense opposition."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 98 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 98 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

February 13th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With 'NORTH AFRICA 1942-43" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "FRANCE AND GERMANY" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - The London Gazette Issue 35416 published on the 13 January 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35773 published on the 3 November 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36027 published on the 21 May 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36211 published on the 12 October 1943
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36937 published on the 9 February 1945
  - Flight Global - Archive
  - Bonhams