McKellar, Archibald Ashmore
- Date of birth:
- April 10th, 1912 (Paisley/Renfrewshire/Scotland, Great Britain)
- Date of death:
- November 1st, 1940 (Addisham/Kent, Great Britain)
- Buried on:
- Commonwealth War Graves Eastwood Cemetery
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Service number 90168.
Archie McKellar attended Shawlands Academy on the South side of Glasgow. He was a plasterer in his fathers business before he joined the RAF in 1938.
McKellar shared in the shooting down of the first Heinkel bomber to perish over Britain. McKellar shot down at least 3 Heinkels on the 15th of August 1940 and on the 9th of September scored four more kills. On the the 11th of September 1940 he took over command of No 605 Hurricane Squadron from Squadron Leader Walter Churchill. Another four were shot down by McKellar on the 15th of September 1940. On the 7th of October his score rose another five kills, all Bf 109's. McKellar shot down 21 enemy aircraft before his death on the 1st of November 1940 when he was in combat with Bf 109's over Kent. His Hurricane crashed at the side of Woodlands Manor near Addisham at 18:20hrs - the day after The Air Ministry had decided that the Battle of Britain was finished.
Archie was C.O. of 605 Squadron at the time of his death.
His gallantry awards, presented to his father by HM King George VI, are now displayed in the 602 Squadron Museum, within the RAF Museum, Glasgow.
Promotions:
November 8th, 1936: Pilot Officer (commissioned)
May 8th, 1938: Flying Officer
June 1st, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- September 13th, 1940
"This officer has at all times displayed the keenest desire to engage the enemy. In his first large-scale encounter against enemy aircraft he displayed a great sense of leadership and tactics in launching his flight against ninety Heinkel m's. As a result, at least four enemy aircraft were destroyed, of which Flight Lieutenant McKellar destroyed three. He has displayed outstanding leadership and courage."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Lieutenant
- Unit:
- Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- October 8th, 1940
"During a period of eight days in the defence of London, Flight Lieutenant McKellar has destroyed eight hostile aircraft, bringing his total to twelve. He displays an excellent fighting spirit, is a particularly brilliant tactician and has led his squadron with skill and resource."
Second DFC awarded as a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- November 26th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Squadron Leader
- Unit:
- Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- January 1st, 1941
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
- The London Gazette Issue 34945 published on the 13 September 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 34964 published on the 8 October 1940
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35029 published on the 31 December 1940
- National Museum of Scotland
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