• Dornier Do 17
• Junker Ju 88
• Messerschmitt Bf 110

Date of birth:

April 4th, 1917 (London, Great Britain)

Date of death:

April 14th, 1944 (China Bay-Trincomalee, Ceylon)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Trincomalee
Plot: 2. Row: C. Grave: 9.

Nationality:

British

Richard John "Dickie" Cork was born on April 4, 1917, in London, the son of Harold and Ethel Cork. He attended the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and earned his pilot's license on January 20, 1940, after which he enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm (FAA).
Due to a shortage of pilots in the air force, Cork was seconded to the Royal Air Force on June 15, 1940. After training at 7 OTU Hawarden, he was posted to No. 242 Squadron RAF, equipped with Hurricanes, on July 1.
During the Battle of Britain, he actively engaged in combat and shot down several German aircraft, qualifying as a fighter pilot—a so-called "ace."
After his RAF service, Cork returned to the FAA. He served with 880 Naval Air Squadron aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable and later in command of the air fleet in the Indian Ocean. He distinguished himself, among other positions, during the battles over Malta during Operation Pedestal in August 1942. On August 11, he achieved the rare "ace-in-a-day" distinction, having shot down several enemy aircraft that day.

In 1944, Cork was appointed Wing Leader of the 15th Naval Fighter Wing, commanding two squadrons of Corsairs. On April 14, 1944, his life came to a tragic end: during a nighttime landing attempt at China Bay Airport (Ceylon), his aircraft crashed after colliding with another aircraft. Both pilots were killed.

Promotions:
May 1939: Acting Sub-Lieutenant;
March 1940: Sub-Lieutenant;
November 1941: Lieutenant;
September 1942: Acting Lieutenant-Commander;
1944: Lieutenant-Commander.

Career:
1939: Royal Navy College, Greenwich;
1940: Fleet Air Arm;
June 15th, 1940: Royal Air Force;
?: No. 7 Operational Training Unit, Hawarden;
July 1st, 1940: No. 242 Squadron, Coltishall;
November 23rd, 1940: No. 252 Squadron, Coastal Command;
?: No. 880 Squadron, HMS Furious;
October 1941: No. 880 Squadron, HMS Indomitable;
August 1942 - September 1942: Commanding Officer No. 880 Squadron;
December 1943 - April 14th, 1944: Commanding Officer No. 15 Fighter Wing, HMS Victorious.

Victories:
August 30th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
August 30th, 1940: Heinkel He 11 (damaged);
Deptember 7th, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 7th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
September 15th, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 15th, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
September 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
September 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
May 1942: Morane 406 (on the ground);
May 1942: Morane 406 (on the ground);
May 1942: Morane 406 (on the ground);
May 1942: Potez 63 (on the ground);
May 1942: Potez 63 (on the ground);
May 1942: Potez 63 (on the ground);
August 11th, 1942: Junkers Ju 88 (shared);
August 12th, 1942: Junkers Ju 88;
August 12th, 1942: Junkers Ju 88 (shared);
August 12th, 1942: Messerschmitt Me 110;
August 12th, 1942: Savoia Machetti SM 79;
August 12th, 1942: Savoia Machetti SM 79.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 20th, 1940

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sub-Lieutenant (Sub-lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1940

DFC was under pressure of the Royal Navy, revoked and changed to a DSC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sub-Lieutenant (Sub-lieutenant)

Awarded on:

October 18th, 1940

Received for exemplary courage and coolness in successful action against enemy bombers.

LG 34974/6111.
Awarded to replace the withdrawn DFC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Awarded on:

November 10th, 1942

Received for bravery and dauntless resolution while serving aboard one of H.M. Aircraft-Carriers, when an important Convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft and surface forces.

LG 35780/4879.

• Photo 1: FAA photo
• Photo: FAA Photo
  
• - Corin Gelderblom
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th October 1940, Issue 34974, dated 18th October 1940
  - Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette of 6th November 1942, Issue 35780, dated 10th November 1942
  - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission
  - https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Cork.htm
  - https://www.key.aero/article/dickie-cork-there-was-none-better
  

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Junker Ju 88

Dornier Do 17

Messerschmitt Bf 110