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Pitcher
there probably is a Northern Ireland connection
For Gallantry - Air Force Cross - Warrant Officer D. J. Pitcher
On July 3, 1941, Warrant Officer Douglas Jame Pitcher (33), son of Mr. and
Mrs. William George Pitcher, of 66, Colindale Avenue, Northumberland Heath,
was reported missing, believed killed, in Iraq, where he was acting as a
flying instructor with the R.A.F. Now he has been awarded the Air
Force Cross, and his parents received the decoration from the King at an
investiture on Tuesday. W.O. Pitcher joined the R.A.F. at the age of
15, and had an excellent record. In 1933, when stationed in Egypt as a
sergeant, he was one of seven chosen for an 11,000 mile tour of Africa.
Early in last July, W.O. Pitcher and a Flights-sergeant Adams were detailed
for a 100-mile patrol over Syria. Both aircraft were shot down, and
the body of Adams was buried by the Arabs. Pitcher's plane was found,
but his body was never recovered, and it was rumoured that a parachute was
seen drifting away after the machine crashed. After describing these
events in a letter to Pitcher's father, Squadron Leader A. Bodman, officer
commanding, writing from Habbaniya, said: "To date, that is the only
information I can give you, but I would like to say that Warrant Officer
Pitcher was a grand chap, most unassuming and so willing at all times.
We in the squadron are all eagerly awaiting news that he is safe."
Warrant Officer Pitcher was a good all-round sportsman, and went to Olympia
as a member of the R.A.F. fencing team. Mr. W. J. Butler, head master
of Erith Central School, writes of him: "His work and conduct were in every
way satisfactory. I found him to be a good all-round boy, earnest, diligent,
willing, and perfectly trustworthy, and can recommend him as suitable to
take a responsible position."
other stories on this clipping:- Two Minesweepers Please! - Raffle of Oil
Paintings - Don't Forget Your Chaotics
S.M.R.C. 1925 Junior Summer Competition, Cranwell
Winners Score 582 Points Ex. 600
Ldg. A/A C. S. Knight A/A H. Crook A/A D. V.
J. Pitcher
A/A West (Res.) F/Sgt. F. A. Holden (Coach) A/A G.
H. Thomas
No. 4 Apprentices' Wing, Royal Air Force, Cranwell, July 1926
44th Flying Instructors' Course, Central Flying School, December-March 1935
back row
- F/Ofr. W. E. Hooper F/Ofr. J. A. S. Brown F/Ofr.
G. A. Bolland F/Ofr. G. N. Snarey F/Ofr. W. E.
Rankin Sgt. H. A. C. Stratton Sgt. J. Dixon
Sgt. W. Corden Sgt. L. F. Humphrey Sgt. R. Jarrad
Sgt. W. Sully F/Ofr. R. C. Gaskell F/Ofr. C. F.
Birks F/Ofr. R. C. H. Crosthwaite F/Ofr. A. W. P.
Grant F/Ofr. F. S. Wakeham
middle row
- F/Ofr. W. R. Farley F/Ofr. L. J. Neale F/Ofr. R.
B. Lees F/Ofr. C. E. J. Baines F/Ofr. G. R. A.
Elsmie F/Lieut. R. C. Jonas F/Ofr. L. W. C. Bower
F/Ofr. J. G. Glen F/Ofr. R. L. Wallace F/Ofr. O. J.
Alvey F/Ofr. E. R. Berry F/Ofr. J. B. Altham
F/Ofr. K. B. B. Cross F/Ofr. G. D. Stephenson F/Ofr.
D. McGordon
sitting
- F/Lieut. J. Cox F/Lieut. C. E. Chilton F/Lieut. G.
D. Harvey, D.F.C. F/Lieut. F. H. Woolliams F/Lieut.
A. Leach, M.C. Major H. C. Daniel, M.C., A.F.C. (South African
A.F.) S/Ldr. R. Harrison, D.F.C. G/Capt. P. C.
Maltby, D.S.O., A.F.C. S/Ldr. C. Turner, A.F.C.
W/Cmdr. P. H. Young F/Lieut. E. D. Barnes, A.F.C.
F/Lieut. A. J. Holmes F/Lieut. E. A. Slater F/Lieut.
D. J. Waghorn F/Lieut. R. B. Councell
front
- Sgt. D. Pitcher Sgt. R. Setchell Sgt. R. Alexander
Sgt. G. Neal Sgt. J. Jones, A.F.M. Sgt. R. Parr
Sgt. D. Upton
Photographer - Gordon Turnill, Stamford
 
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