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Edward Brian
Mortimer-Rose |
Received from Jonathan Macfie:
"Hello, My uncle, Edward Brian Mortimer-Rose, was a fighter pilot in WW2, sadly killed in 1942. I have a picture of him taken at RAF Warmwell in Dorset with his Bentley. I wonder if you could identify the model from the photograph?
As far as I can see the letters in the registration are 36 or 38, possibly preceded by LR or LP, but I cannot be sure of that.
Some additional information about my uncle for your interest:
- Edward Brian Mortimer-Rose, usually known as Brian RAF Flight Lieutenant
- Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
- From Littleport, Cambridgeshire
- Son of Edward & Eelinn Mortimer-Rose of Plantation House, Littleport
- Attended Haileybury School
- He joined the RAF in February 1939
- Granted a Short Service Commission on 2 May 1939
- Posted to 234 Squadron in November
- Flew with that unit during the Battle of Britain (Spitfires) & into 1941
- Posted to the Middle East in November 1941 then straight to Malta Where he took command of 249 Squadron on 6 December 1941 (Hurricanes?)
- Shot down 26 December, he crash landed at Luqa. After recovering, he took command of 185 Sqn. in Feb. 1942
- He led 185 Squadron until May 1942, then took a rest from Ops. In January 1943 he was posted to the Algeria/Tunisia front
- He reverted from Acting Squadron Leader to Flight Lieutenant. And took command of a flight of 111 Squadron
- Just a few days later, on 28 January 1943, he was KiFA when his Spitfire collided with W/C George Gilroy's as they took off from Souk el Khemis. Gilroy survived.
- Brian was only 22 years old at the time of his death and he is buried at the Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery (ref. 6C4) in Tunisia.
- His victories included 12 enemy aircraft destroyed and a further 5 probably destroyed.
I have asked my brother, also Brian, if he can locate any further old family photographs.
Many thanks for your interest and help!"
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