TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Jameson, Patrick Geraint

    Date of birth:
    November 10th, 1912 (Wellington, New Zealand)
    Date of death:
    October 1st, 1996
    Nationality:
    New Zealander (1907-1947, Dominion UK)

    Biography

    Service number 37813.

    In the early 1930's, Patrick Jameson worked as a clerk. He joined the Wellington Aero Club and learned to fly. In January 1936, he sailed to England to join the RAF as a fighter pilot and after his training was posted at No. 46 Squadron.
    In April 1940 he took part in the Norwegian campaign, and on 8 June he was the last man to leave the sinking carrier HMS Glorious after the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had shelled her. Rescued, he returned to England, taking command of No. 266 Squadron RAF, part of Douglas Bader's Wing. In August 1942 he led No. 12 Group RAF Wing over Dieppe, and in December was posted to RAF North Weald to command 331 & 332 Norwegian Squadrons. In July 1944 he took command of 122 (Mustang) Wing, ending the war as an ace with 9 victories.
    In September 1945 he was Officer Commanding RAF Schleswigland and was later Officer Commanding of RAF Wunsdorf.
    Jameson retired in 1960 and, after being treated for tuberculosis, returned to New Zealand.

    Promotions:
    May 4th, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
    March 9th, 1937: Pilot Officer
    September 9th, 1938: Flying Officer
    September 3th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
    ?: Squadron Leader
    May 15th, 1944: WIng Commander (war sub)
    January 1st, 1952: Wing Commander

    Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Flight Lieutenant
    Awarded on:
    July 23rd, 1940
    Citation:
    "This officer led his flight with determination over completely strange country during operations in the Narvik area. He discovered and set on fire, two four-engined enemy flying boats which were concealed against the almost vertical side of Rombaksfjord, in a position most difficult to attack. No trace of them was found during a reconnaissance shortly afterwards. The following morning he destroyed a Junkers 88 over Ofotfjord. During the previous seven months he has led his flight with skill and determination, both by day and by night, often in extremely bad weather conditions. His example has been an inspiration to the rest of the squadron."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Wing Commander
    Unit:
    No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 7th, 1941
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Citation:
    "This officer has set a high standard in the performance of his duties. He is a fine leader whose unsparing efforts have contributed to the excellent fighting spirit of his fellow pilots. Wing Commander Jameson has destroyed six enemy aircraft, one being shot down at night, and he has damaged two others. His bearing in the face of the enemy has been of the highest order."

    Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Wing Commander
    Awarded on:
    March 9th, 1943
    Citation:
    "Since December, 1942, this officer has led the wing on 21 sorties in which 13 enemy aircraft have been destroyed. Early in February, 1943, over France, the wing was attacked by some 60 enemy fighters. During the combat, Wing Commander Jameson was attacked by 8 of the enemy aircraft but he fought his way clear and eventually led the wing back to base without loss. Some days later, whilst acting as escort to a force of bombers, the wing engaged a large formation of enemy fighters and shot down 7 of them, 2 being destroyed by Wing Commander Jameson. By his inspiring leadership and fine fighting qualities, this officer has won the complete confidence of all with whom he has flown. Wing Commander Jameson has destroyed 9 enemy aircraft, 2 of them at night."
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Wing Commander
    Awarded on:
    October 1st, 1943
    Krigskorset
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wing Commander
    Awarded on:
    January 14th, 1944
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Group Captain
    Awarded on:
    June 14th, 1946
    Silver Star Medal (SSM)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wing Commander
    Awarded on:
    October 31st, 1947
    Commandeur in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (ON.3)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Group Captain
    Unit:
    Reserve of Air Force Officers
    Awarded on:
    June 14th, 1945
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Group Captain
    Unit:
    Reserveof Air Force Officers
    Awarded on:
    January 1st, 1946
    Mentioned in Dispatches

    Sources

    • - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
      - The London Gazette Issue 34903 published on the 23 July 1940
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35297 published on the 3 October 1941
      - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35930 published on the 5 March 1943
      - Theird Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36192 published on the 28 September 1943
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36329 published on the 11 January 1944
      - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37407 published on the 28 December 1945
      - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37119 published on the 8 June 1945
      - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37610 published on the 11 June 1946
      - The London Gazette Issue 38113 published on the 31 October 1947
      - New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum

    Photo