Date of birth:

1922 (Batu/Galaya, Malaya)

Service number:

1192265

Nationality:

British

Paul Hilton joined the RAF in September 1940. At that time his parents were still living in the Far East. When the Japanese invaded Malaya in 1941, his father was captured and spent the war in Changi Jail. His mother, who had been on the last boat out of Singapore died in a camp in Palembang of malnutrition and tropical disases after the ship had been bombed and sunk off the coast of Sumatra.
Hilton joined No. 58 Squadron and after a conversion was posted to No. 35 Squadron. On 2/3 June 1942 he flew with Halifax R9444 TL-D on a bombing raid to Essen but had to give the order to bale out after the aircraft was hit by Ju-88 on the return flight. Hilton gave his parachute to Sergeant Prout who had pulled his parachute rip-cord by mistake in the aircraft. Therefore he crashlanded the Halifax alone in St. Leone, near Brecht, Belgium where he was captured. From Dulag Luft he was taken to Stalag Luft III at Sagan. In 1943 he was taken to Luft 6 in East Prussia and then Stalag 357.
He was released in April 1945.
In September he joined De Havilland on a apprenticeship and in 1955 joined the Austin Aircraft Company and then in 1959 established his own engineering Loboratory Company.

Promtoions:
? Sergeant
? Warrant Officer

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 29th, 1946

"Sgt. Hilton was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed for a night operation in June 1942. While over enemy territory, his aircraft was attacked by three enemy fighters. As a result, the aircraft sustained serious damage and three engines were put out of action. Sgt. Hilton gave the order to abandon aircraft; this order was obeyed by all members of the crew, with the exception of the flight engineer, whose parachute had become unserviceable. Sgt. Hilton showed that his first thought was for the safety of his crew, and although he knew it meant almost certain death, he gave his own parachute to the flight engineer, who thus was enabled to leave the badly damaged aircraft. With great courage and gallantry, Sgt. Hilton then attempted to make a forced landing. He was thrown clear of the crashed aircraft, which caught fire. Subsequently he was taken prisoner of war. Sgt. Hilton displayed outstanding courage and coolness in the face of great danger. His complete disregard for his own safety, in order to save the life of one of his crew, showed a devotion to duty worthy of the highest praise."

• - Page 1577 | Supplement 37515, 26 March 1946 | London Gazette | The Gazette
  - Bravery Awards for Aerial Combat: Stories Behind the Award of the CGM (Flying)
  - 02-06 | No. 35 Squadron