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Cullen, Richard Nigel "Ape"

Date of birth:
June 5th, 1917 (Newcastle/New South Wales, Australia)
Date of death:
March 4th, 1941 (Himarė, Albania)
Mentioned on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Tirana Park
Service number:
39967
Nationality:
Australian

Biography

Richard Nigel Cullen was born on June 5th, 1917 as the son to Horation David Cullen and Hero Cullen. He was killed in action on March 4th, 1941 and is being comemmorated at the Monument of Missing on the Commonwealth War Cemetery Tirana.

Promotions:
August 24th, 1937: Acting Pilot Officer on probation (seniority August 9th, 1937;
May 31st, 1938: Pilot Officer;
December 31st, 1939: Flying Officer;
December 31st, 1940: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.).

Career:
1936: Internationale Brigade, Spanje;
1937: Royal Air Force;
?: Communication Flight, Middle East;
August 1940: No. 267 Squadron;
September 1940: No. 80 Squadron.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Unit:
No. 80 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
March 14th, 1941
Citation:
"In February, 1941, this officer was pilot of one of a formation of aircraft which attacked a large force of enemy bombers escorted by at least 30 fighters. Displaying remarkable skill, Flight Lieutenant Cullen shot down five of the enemy's aircraft in the ensuing action.
He has now destroyed n enemy aircraft and has consistently shown great resource and courage."

LG 35106/1523.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

  • - The London Gazette of 24th August 1937, Issue 34429
    - The London Gazette of 14th June 1938, Issue 34521
    - The London Gazette of 9th January 1940, Issue 34769
    - The London Gazette of 14th February 1941, Issue 35076
    - The London Gazette of 14th March 1941, Issue 35106
    - Hakans aviation page
    Commonwealth War Graves Commission
    -

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