• Bristol Blenheim

Date of birth:

November 9th, 1911 (Hong Kong, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

April 1994

Service number:

37705

Nationality:

British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Before the war Edward Wolfe worked at a fire-engineer's firm. After a joy-ride in a Vickers Virginia and a De Haviland Moth he decided to join the RAFVR in March 1935. A year later he was granted a short service commision in the regular RAF
Wolfe received his wings on 30 july 1936 and joined No. 64 Squadron in October 1936. He was also very active in sports in the RAF winning many cups and medals for running and football.
After a conversion to Blenheim Mk 1’s for night- fighting in September 1939 Wolfe was posted to 219 Squadron at Catterick. On the 13th September he was posted to command No 141 Squadron. In March 1942 he was given command of 456 RAAF Squadron. More postings followed until the end of the war. Edward Wolfe was released from the RAF on the 17th December 1945 as a Wing Commander, having flown thirty six different types of aircraft and amassing 2018 flying hours, 459 of those on night flying.
He then started flying commercially in Iran delivering freight and passengers until his retirement in 1963 having flown a total of 11,375 hours in both military and civil aircraft.

Promotions:
23 March,1936: Acting Pilot officer (probation)
27 January,1937: Pilot Officer
20 May, 1938: Acting Flying Officer
27 October, 1938: Flying Officer
3 September, 1940: Flight Lieutenant
1 December, 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader
27 June, 1942: Squadron Leader (war sub)
1 July, 1944: Temporary Wing Commander

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

May 30th, 1941

Recommendation:
"On the night of 6/7th May 1941, S/Ldr Wolfe was on patrol over Glasgow when he sighted an enemy aircraft. He immediately closed to the attack while ordering his air-gunner to withhold fire until they were within 20yds of their objective. His courage and determination in closing with the enemy to such short-range enabled him to remain ‘in formation’ while the enemy carried out evasive action, thus bringing his combat to a successful conclusion. The enemy aircraft still carrying a full load of bombs crashed to the ground and burst into flames. This officer has completed 174 hours night-flying since the outbreak of war during which time he has carried out no less than 40 operational flights by night. Since assuming command of 141 Squadron in September 1940 he has always shown great determination, skill and courage and his leadership has undoubtedly imbued his pilots with the same characteristics."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

June 14th, 1945

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

July 9th, 1946

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" clasp.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - The London Gazette Issue 34272 published on the 7 April 1936
  - The London Gazette Issue 34376 published on the 2 March 1937
  - The London Gazette Issue 34401 published on the 25 May 1937
  - The London Gazette Issue 34526 published on the 28 June 1938
  - The London Gazette Issue 34570 published on the 15 November 1938
  - The London Gazette Issue 34986 published on the 5 November 1940
  - The London Gazette Issue 35176 published on the 30 May 1941
  - The London Gazette Issue 35383 published on the 16 December 1941
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35717 published on the 22 September 1942
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36618 published on the 18 July 1944
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37642 published on the 5 July 1946
  - Battle of Britain London Monument