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Stanford-Tuck, Roland Robert

    Date of birth:
    July 1st, 1916 (Catford/London, Great Brittain)
    Date of death:
    May 5th, 1987
    Service number:
    37306
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Promotions:
    1935: Acting Pilot Officer;
    September 1936: Pilot Officer on probation;
    1937: Pilot Officer (entering December 1936);
    September 1938: Flying Officer;
    ?: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
    September 3rd, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
    September 11th, 1940: Acting Squadron Leader;
    July 1941: Acting Wing Commander;
    September 1945: Squadron Leader;
    April 1946: Temporary Wing Commander;
    July 1947: Wing Commander.

    Career:
    1932: Sea Cadet, Merchant Navy;
    September 1935: No. 3 F.T.S., Grantham;
    July 1936: No. 65 Squadron, Hornchurch;
    May 1940: Flight Commander No. 92 Squadron, Croydon;
    September 11th, 1940: Squadron Leader No. 257 Squadron;
    July 1941: Wing Leader, RAF Duxford;
    ?: Wing Leader, RAF Biggin Hill;
    ? - January 1945: POW;
    ?: Stalag Luft III, Zagan (Sagan);
    May 13th, 1949: Retirement.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 92 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    June 11th, 1940
    Citation:
    "During May, 1940, this officer led his flight in company with his squadron on two offensive patrols over Northern France. As a result of one of these patrols in which the squadron engaged a formation of some 60 enemy aircraft, the Squadron Commander was later reported missing, and the flight commander wounded and in hospital. Flight Lieutenant Tuck assumed command, and on the following day led the squadron, consisting of only eight aircraft, on a further patrol engaging an enemy formation of fifty aircraft. During these engagements the squadron has shot down ten enemy aircraft and possibly another twenty-four. Throughout the combats this officer has displayed great dash and gallantry."

    Award ceremony on 28th June 1940 by King George VI at Hornchurch.
    Published in The London Gazette issue 34870 dated 11th June 1940.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 257 (Burma) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 25th, 1940
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Citation:
    "Since the 11th June 1940, this officer has destroyed six enemy aircraft, and probably destroyed or damaged six more. One day in August 1940, he attacked three Junkers 88's, destroyed two and damaged the third. Later in the month he intercepted two Junkers 88's at 15,000 feet, and in a headon attack destroyed one. In a similar attack on the second, a cannon shell blew away his oil and glycol tank and a piece of his propellor, but he reached the cost and landed by parachute. In September, 1940, he shot down one Messerschmitt 110 and probably a Messerschmitt 109 over the sea. Flight Lieutenant Tuck has displayed gallant and determined leadership."

    Publiced in The London Gazette issue 34978 dated 25th October 1940
    Received as a Bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 257 (Burma) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    January 7th, 1941
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Citation:
    "This officer has commanded his squadron with great success, and his outstanding leadership, courage and skill have been reflected in its high morale and efficiency. Since 4th October 1940, he has destroyed four hostile aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least eighteen."

    Published in The London Gazette dated 7th January 1941.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Squadron Leader
    Unit:
    No. 257 (Burma) Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    April 11th, 1941
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Citation:
    "This officer has displayed conspicious gallantry and initiative in searching for and attacking enemy raiders, often in adverse weather conditions. Since December, 1940, he has destroyed three enemy bombers and one fighter, thus bringing his total victories on twenty-two."

    Published in The London Gazette issue 35134 dated 11th April 1941.
    Received as second Bar for on the ribbon of his first DFC.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Wing Commander
    Awarded on:
    June 14th, 1946

    Published in the Fourth Supplement of The London Gazette issue 37610, dated 14th June 1946.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Squadron Leader
    Awarded on:
    March 17th, 1941
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" bar.
    1939-1945 Star

    Sources

    • Photo 1: RAF
    • Photo: Royal Air Force
    • - The London Gazette issue 34870 dd. 11 juni 1940
      - The London Gazette issue 34978 dd. 25 oktober 1940
      - The London Gazette issue 34989 dd. 12 november 1940
      - The London Gazette dd. 7 januari 1941
      - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35107 published on the 14 March 1941
      - The London Gazette issue 35134 dd. 11 april 1941
      - Fourth Supplement of The London Gazette issue 37610, dd. 14 juni 1946
      - RAF Museum Hendon
      - Official Website of R.R. Stanford-Tuck
      - Battle of Britain

    Photo