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Draper, Bryan Vincent

Date of birth:
1918 (Barry/Wales, Great Britain)
Date of death:
February 28th, 1945
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Taukkyan
Plot: 26. Row: D. Grave: 19/20.
Service number:
741507/76309
Nationality:
British

Biography

Bryan Vincent Draper was born in 1918 as son to John Robert Draper and Nellie Draper. He was married to Yvonne Bettina Draper.
Draper and his Co-pilot Pilot Officer P.R. James, were killed during a bomb attack on Mandalay, February 28th, 1945, when their DeHavilland Mosquito FB IV, HR457, exploded.

Promotions:
?: Sergeant;
December 10th, 1939: Pilot Officer on probation;
December 10th, 1940: Pilot Officer;
December 10th, 1940: Flying Officer;
March 19th, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
?: Squadron Leader.

Career:
April 1938: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves;
December 28th, 1939: No. 11 Group, St. Athan;
January 25th, 1940: No. 2 Ferry Pilot Pool;
February 17th, 1940: No. 74 Squadron;
December 30th, 1940: CFS Upavon;
?: Instructor RAF College Cranwell;
?: Instructor Canada;
December 1943: Engeland, conversion Mosquito;
February 19th, 1945: No. 45 Squadron, Kumbhirram, India.

Kill's/Damages:
May 25th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (shared kill);
July 10th 1940: Dornier Do 17 (damaged), Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
September 14th, 1940: Junkers Ju 88;
October 17th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 190, Messerschmitt Bf 109 (probably);
October 20th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 190 (probably);
November 14th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87, Junkers Ju 87, Junkers Ju 87, Messerschmitt Me 109 (damaged);
November 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Me 109.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
December 24th, 1940
Citation:
"Since December, 1939, Pilot Officer Draper has participated in numerous engagements against the enemy. He has shown great skill and determination as a fighter pilot and has destroyed seven enemy aircraft."

LG 35022/7213-7214.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

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