Burley, Philip Kenneth

Date of birth:: March 27th, 1920 (Birmingham)
Date of death:: July 8th, 1944
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Berlin
Plot: 7. Row: C. Grave: 7.
Service number:: 149874
Nationality:: British

Biography

Philip Burley was the youngest of 4 children. His one brother Oliver was also a pilot during the war flying Wellingtons based in Aden for much of the war.

Flight Lieutenant Burley was killed on 8 July, 1944 West of Granzow, 9 km WNW from center of Kyritz in Mosquito MM147during a mission on Berlin.
Flew with No. 107 & 692 Squadron

Promotions:
? Leading Aircraftman
4 October, 1941: Pilot Officer on Probation (emergency)
1 October, 1942: ? Flying Officer on Probation (war sub)
4 October, 1943: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: April 20th, 1943

Citation:
"F/O. Burley has served with this squadron since May, 1942, and has on all occasions shown himself to be a keen and determined pilot both in low level-attacks and high level formation sorties. On two occasions he has flown his aircraft back to base when severely damaged by enemy fire. In the July, 1943, in the face of intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, this officer persevered with his attack on Sluiskill explosive works from roof-top height, with excellent results. Three days later he made another determined attack from 50 feet on an enemy airfield and released his bombs on the dispersal areas despite strong opposition. At Eindhoven, in December, 1942, with great, resolution, F/O Burley led a number of aircraft in an attack on the Philips Radio Works, although his observer's "perspex" had been damaged by birds when crossing the Dutch coast and all maps had been lost."