Date of birth:

July 29th, 1917 (York/North Yorkshire, Great Britain)

Date of death:

1986 (South Africa)

Service number:

37351

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Peter Hanks was educated at Worksop College, Nottinghamshire.
He was 22 years old when he was sent to France with No. 1 Squadron and claimed six victories in the first five days of May before he was shot down in flames and baled out of his Hurricane. He returned to England and was posted to no. 5 OTU at Anston Down as an instructor. In December 1940 he continued operational flying, this time with No. 257 Squadron. He was then posted to lead No. 56 Squadron. After postings there, Duxford and Coltisall, he was sent to Malta in August 1942 as Wing Leader where he claimed more victories. Postings in Italy and thereafter the UK followed as the war ended in which he had been credited with 13 enemy airceraft destroyed.
He remained in the RAF and commanded Coltisall and Station Commander at RAF Patrington, a Master Radar Station in the 1950's and 1960's. He retired in June 1964. At one point Peter Hanks moved to South Africa where he died.

Post WW2-decorations:
January 1st, 1953: Air Force Cross

Promotions:
October 7th, 1935: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
October 7th, 1936: Pilot Officer;
May 7th, 1938: Flying Officer;
May 7th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
September 1st, 1941: temporary Squadron Leader;
March 20th, 1942: Squadron Leader (war subs.);
July 1st, 1943: temporary Wing Commander;
August 17th, 1944- 1 november 1947: Wing Commander (war sub);
?: temporary Group Captain;
July 1st, 1957: Group Captain.

Career:
June 1st, 1964, Retirement.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

July 16th, 1940

LG 34898/4361.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

November 3rd, 1942

Citation:
"One day in October, 1942, this officer led his squadron in an engagement against a force of seven enemy bombers, escorted by 25 fighters, which attempted to attack Malta. The enemy were intercepted before reaching the island and, in a head-on attack, three of their aircraft were destroyed; one of them a Junkers 88, was shot down by Wing Commander Hanks. This officer is a fearless fighter whose example and leadership have instilled great confidence in his fellow pilots. Whilst flying from Malta, Wing Commander Hanks has destroyed four enemy aircraft."

LG 35768/4753.

• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High Volume 2, Grub Street, London, 1999.
  - The London Gazette of 22nd October 1935, Issue 34210
  - The London Gazette of 8th December 1936, Issue 34347
  - The London Gazette of 10th May 1938, Issue 34509
  - The London Gazette of 16th July 1940, Issue 34898
  - The London Gazette of 9th September 1941, Issue 35270
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th August 1942, Issue 35675, dated 21st August 1942
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th October 1942, Issue 35768, dated 3rd November 1942
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 13th July 1943, Issue 36092, dated 14th July 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 12th September 1944, Issue 36701, dated 15th September 1944
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 14th November 1947, Issue 38125, dated 18th November 1947
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 21st November 1947, Issue 38131, dated 25th November 1947
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 30th December 1952, Issue 39732, dated 1st January 1953
  - Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th June 1957, Issue 41111, dated 28th June 1957
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 3rd July 1964, Issue 43375, dated 7th July 1964