Date of birth:

1920 (Wadsworth/London, Great Britain)

Date of death:

April 3rd, 1951

Service number:

741418 (NCO)/78984 (Officer)

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Trevor Wade joined the RAFVR in 1938 and was called up at the outbreak of war. He joined no. 92 Squadron. During the Battle of BRitain he was twice forced to bale out of his Spitfire due to return-fire. By the end of 1941 he had 6 confirmed victories, making him an ace.
In June 1941 he was posted to No. 123 Squadron and for a while at 602 Squadron. Late 1943 he was send to the Air Fighting Development Unit, testing captured enemy aircraft and comparing them with Allied aircraft for which he received the AFC.. Early 1945 he was send to the USA to do similar work overseas.
He left the RAF in 1946 as a Squadron Leader and joined the editorial staff of Aeroplane Magazine, testing light civilian aircraft. Late 1947 he joined Hawker Aircraft as test pilot.
On 3 April 1951 he was testing a Hawker prototype when the aircraft encountered a mechanical problem. Wade released the cockpit canopy at about 9,000 feet and ejected from the aircraft at about 2,000 feet. The non-automatic seat began to spin rapidly. Wade was unable to release himself from it. He was killed when the seat struck the ground.

Promotions:
? Sergeant
30 April, 1940: Pilot Officer on Probation
30 October, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
30 October, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
? Squadron Leader

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 92 (East India) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 15th, 1941

Citation:
"This officer has displayed great skill and determination in his numerous engagements against the enemy and has destroyed afleast six of their aircraft. His efforts have contributed materially to the successes achieved by the squadron."

LG 35219/4064.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

September 1st, 1944

• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - The London Gazette Publication date:28 May 1940 Issue:34859Page:3192
  - The London Gazette Publication date:15 July 1941 Issue:35219Page:4064
  - The London Gazette Publication date:4 November 1941 Issue:35335Page:6377
  - The London Gazette Publication date:28 April 1942 Issue:35541Page:1863
  - The London Gazette Publication date:17 November 1942 Supplement:35791Page:503
  - The London Gazette Publication date:29 August 1944 Supplement:36682Page:4075
  - Aviation Safety Network >