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Lee, Richard Hugh Anthony "Dickie"

    Date of birth:
    1917 (London, Great Britain)
    Date of death:
    August 18th, 1940 (over The Channel)
    Service number:
    33208
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    "Dickie" Lee was reported missing in action over the Channel on August 18th, 1940 with his Hawker Hurricane P2923, 'VY-R', Blue 1.

    Promotions:
    September 1935: Flight Cadet;
    1937: Pilot Officer;
    1938: Flying Officer;
    September 1939: Acting Flight Lieutenant.

    Career:
    ?: Charterhouse School;
    September 1935 - July 1937: RAF Cranwell;
    June 1st, 1938 - May 1940: No. 85 Squadron;
    May 1940 - June 1940: No. 56 Squadron;
    June 1940 - August 18th, 1940: Flight Commander No. 85 Squadron.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Awarded on:
    March 8th, 1940
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 56 (Punjab) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    May 31st, 1940
    Citation:
    "This officer has displayed great ability as a leader and intense desire to engage the enemy. On one occasion he continued to attack an enemy aircraft after his companion had been shot down, and his own machine hit in many places. His section shot down a Dornier 215 in flames one evening in May, and another in the course of an engagement the next day. In his last engagement he was seen at 200 feet on the tail of a Junkers 89, being subjected to intense fire from the ground over enemy occupied territory. This officer escaped from behind the German lines after being arrested and upheld the highest traditions of the Service."
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1941
    Mentioned in Dispatches

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
    • - The London Gazette of 8th March 1940, Issue 34807
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th May 1940, Issue 34860, dated 31st May 1940
      - Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st December 1940, Issue 35029, dated 1st January 1941
      - Ciel de Gloire

    Photo