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Cragg-Hamilton, Derek, son of Sydney Charles Cragg-Hamilton and Edith, d. of Abel Simner of Friog, Merioneth; b. 3 Apr. 1909; adm. Sept. 1922 (A); left July 1927; adm. a solicitor Nov. 1932, practised in London; 2nd Lieut. 92 Bde RA (TA) Sept. 1927, Lieut. Sept. 1930, Capt. May 1934, temp. Maj. Jan. 1939; killed in action Dunkirk May 1940.

Derek Cragg-Hamilton was born at Ravenscourt Park, London on the 3rd of April 1909 the only son of Sydney Charles Cragg-Hamilton, an actor, and Edith Emily Marguerite (nee Simner) Cragg-Hamilton of 77, Hamlet Gardens, South Hammersmith, later of Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. He was christened at St Peter’s Church, Hammersmith on the 12th of June 1909. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from September 1922 to July 1927 where he was a member of the Officer Training Corps and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1926. He was appointed as a Monitor in April 1926 and as Head of Ashburnham in September 1926. On leaving school he studied law and he qualified as a solicitor in November 1932. He practised at Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue, London. He served as Hon. Secretary of The Old Westminster Boat Club in 1929 and 1930 and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Old Westminsters in 1932.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 92 (5th London) Field Brigade in the Territorial Army on the 25th of September 1927 and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 25th of September 1930. He was promoted to Captain on the 10th of May 1934 and to Major in January 1939. He was appointed as the commanding officer of 365 Battery.
On the 31st of May 1940, 92 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was positioned to the west of Bulskamp where it was defending the perimeter of the evacuation area around Dunkirk when German counter battery fire began falling on the Headquarters of 365 Battery. Derek Cragg-Hamilton and four gunners were killed during the exchange of fire.
The Middlesex Chronicle wrote: - “Many of the older residents will remember the cherry, happy personality of this fine, upstanding soldier who was 6ft 6 1/2 ins. in height.”
The Elizabethan wrote: - “The death of Major Derek Cragg-Hamilton, R.A., T.A., during the retirement to Dunkirk, has brought sadness to many, for he had many friends. In the law, which he chose as his profession, in the Territorials, which he joined as a recreation and a duty, and among Westminsters of all ages who shared with him a common affection for the School he was equally popular, and the directness and simplicity of his character won him general respect. Derek Cragg-Hamilton was the son of the late Sydney Charles Cragg-Hamilton. He was born on 3rd April, 1909, and in 1922 entered Westminster as a day boy up Ashburnham. Although his subsequent career showed that he had good critical abilities and the power of mastering detail, he travelled up the School but slowly. He was never one to whom success came easily. Success came because he worked for it, and it was a tribute to the solid qualities of his character when, in his last year at Westminster, he was appointed head of his house, although still only in the Shell. He left in 1927, and for the next five years underwent the arduous and sometimes dreary training necessary to become a solicitor. Most of his Westminster friends and contemporaries had gone to either Oxford or Cambridge, and he may perhaps have felt some natural regret that he was no longer with them, sharing their fresh interests and pleasures. If he did, he kept his feelings to himself and he threw himself wholeheartedly into his new work. At this time also began the connexion with the Territorials, which in the end took him to France early last September and last May to Belgium. He was gazetted 2nd Lieut., 92nd Brigade, R.A., T.A., in 1927, and was promoted Lieutenant in 1930. Captain in 1934, and Major last year. He was an enthusiastic soldier, and he was always keen to get any boys who had recently left the School into his battery, with the result that the foundress was toasted last November 17th in at least one mess in northern France. His ability as a lawyer received a tribute in a notice in The Times, and this is not the place to recapitulate it. While his Westminster friends realized that he was efficient at his job, they did not perhaps realize how much his judgment was respected and how much he might have achieved had not his career been suddenly cut short. But no one who came in contact with him could have remained unaware for long of his enthusiasm for the School and his devotion to its interests. His work on the War Memorial Committee and on successive Committees of the Westminster Ball brought him into touch with a very large number of Old Westminsters; and because some of the masters were privileged to count him as their friend, his views on the School did not remain static as the point which they had reached when he ceased to be a member of it, but moved forward with every phase of its development. He was, indeed, one of the very few people to whom one could "talk Westminster" with the complete assurance that his opinion would be based not only on sympathy and understanding, but also on knowledge of where the School's true interests lay. To Watermen of the last twelve years he was a familiar figure. Although never a first-class oar himself, he was an immensely hard worker in a boat and a good judge of a crew. He followed the fortunes of the School eight with keenness, and his appearances at Putney or at Henley were welcomed with delight. It was characteristic of him that when, a few years ago, he had followed a School eight down to Westminster in the launch and a minor crisis had occurred because one of the crew had been taken ill, he should have stepped into the boat and, although quite untrained, should have rowed back to Putney. It was characteristic, too, that when home on leave for a short time last December, one of his first actions should have been to come round to Westminster to find out how the School was getting on in exile, and in particular what chances there were of carrying on rowing at Lancing. In him Westminster loses a loyal friend, and his mother, to whom we offer our deep sympathy, a devoted son.”
He is buried at Veurne Communal Cemetery Extension Row C, Grave 5.

Crook, Philip John Lancaster, son of Edward Arnold Crook, glove manufacturer, of Gt Malvern, Worcs, and Mary Clare Broad, d. of Lieut.-Col. John Lancaster IMS; b. 29 May 1920; adm. May 1934 (B); left July 1938; Univ. of Birmingham; Roy. Tank Regt 1941-3 (Lieut.); killed in action (N. Africa) Apr. 1943.

Philip John Lancaster Crook was born at Streatham, London on the 29th of May 1920 the only son of Edward Arnold Crook, a glove manufacturer, and Mary Clare Broad (nee Lancaster) Crook, later of 5, Heathcroft, Hampstead, London NW11. He was the twin of his sister Elizabeth Lorna.
He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Busby’s from May 1934 to July 1938. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps and was promoted to Lance Corporal in September 1937. He was articled to a firm of solicitors before going on to the University of Birmingham from where he graduated LLb.
He attended an Officer Cadet Training Unit before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Tank Regiment on the 8th of March 1941.
On the 1st of April 1943, Philip Crook was with A Squadron, 50th Royal Tank Regiment which was resting in camp at Djorf. During the day a party from the Squadron was organised to visit the scene of a battle in which they had been involved at the Mareth Line on the 22nd of March 1943 against the German 15th Panzer Division. They were to try to learn the lessons of the fighting there and to salvage equipment from the area. They had been warned that the area had been heavily booby trapped and mined by the Germans before they had retreated and were instructed to take extreme care. During the trip, for reasons which are not known, Philip Crook left the track which had been swept and found to be clear of mines. Following the explosion of a German “S” anti personnel mine he was found lying on the ground badly wounded by shrapnel. He was evacuated to an Advanced Dressing Station where he died of his wounds a few hours later.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Malvern and on the memorial at the University of Birmingham.
He is buried at Sfax War Cemetery Plot X Row D, Grave 20.

Cumberland, Bentinck Howard, son of Walter Bertie Cumberland, GPO engineer, of Hendon, and Edith Howard, d. of Edmund Rawles of Hampstead; b. 6 Sept. 1917; adm. Apr. 1931 (R); left July 1936; The Loyal Regt 1940-3 (Capt.); killed in action (N. Africa) 30 Apr. 1943.

Bentinck Howard “Benty” Cumberland was born at Hampstead, London on the 6th of September 1917 the only son of Walter Bertie Cumberland, an engineer for the General Post Office, and Edith Howard (nee Rawles) Cumberland of 26, Shirehall Lane, Hendon in Middlesex. He was christened at St Mark’s Church, Marylebone on the 20th of October 1917. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from April 1931 to July 1936. He was a member of the 1st Rowing VIII in 1935 and 1936 where he rowed at No. 6. On leaving school he was articled to a firm of chartered accountants. He was elected as a member of the London Rowing Club in 1936.
He attended the 163rd Officer Cadet Training Unit (Artists Rifles) before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) on the 3rd of August 1940 where he was later appointed as Battalion Transport Officer.
On the 29th of April 1943 the 1st Battalion, The Loyal Regiment was near Djebel Rhaouas in Tunisia where they had been involved in heavy fighting the previous day and were preparing to renew their attack. At 6am that morning 14 enemy tanks passed through the Gabgab gap towards the Battalion but soon came under British artillery fire and withdrew at 8am. Later than morning B Company was ordered to join C Company to reinforce 117 Metre Hill where enemy tanks had been seen. At 1.30pm 20 enemy tanks managed to infiltrate a gap in the British positions and established themselves on a nearby ridge where they dominated the approaches to 117 Metre Hill. As soon as this move had been completed a further 20 enemy tanks, supported by infantry, advanced through the Gabgab Gap and headed towards The Loyals’ positions on 117 Metre Hill. C Company called down artillery fire on the enemy force but this did not deter them and they continued to advance. At 2.30pm, tanks of the 145th Royal Tank Regiment began moving forward to attack the enemy tanks but they lost six of their number in a short space of time and so they took up static positions some two miles from 117 Metre Hill where they fired in support of the infantry but this was largely ineffective.
The German force closed and overran the The Loyals’ Support Company on the western side of the hill, and destroyed most of the Battalion’s transport. The Battalion had also lost all of its anti tank guns. Having suffered very heavy casualties, the survivors formed into small groups on the perimeter of their position while the German tanks dug in where they were and continued firing on the British positions for the rest of the day. Just before dawn, rations were brought up to the forward British troops and it was at this time that Bentinck Cumberland was killed by mortar fire.
At dawn on the 30th of April 1943, the Germans began withdrawing through the Gabgab Gap and new anti tank guns were brought forward to defend the gap should they return.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at the London Rowing Club.
He is buried at Massicault War Cemetery Plot V, Row M Grave 3.

Currier, David Fletcher, son of Edward Putnam Currier of New York and Dorothy Fletcher of Melrose, Mass.; b. 9 Aug. 1915; adm. 21 Sept. 1933 (B); left July 1934; Yale Univ., AB 1938; USNR 1941-3 (Lieut.); posth. commendation for outstanding performance of duty; m. 8 Mar. 1941 Margaret Pitkin, d. of Richmond L. Brown of Greenwich, Conn.; killed in action in USS Plymouth 5 Aug. 1943.

David Fletcher Currier was born at Tarrytown, Westchester County, New York on the 9th of August 1914 the son of Edward Putnam Currier, a dealer in investment securities, and Dorothy (nee Fletcher) Currier of Tarrytown, New York. He was educated at Milton Academy, Massachusetts and at Westminster School where he was up Busby’s from the 21st of September 1933 to July 1934. He was a member of the 1st VI Lawn Tennis team in 1934. He went on to Yale University where he was a member of the Freshman basketball and baseball teams and was a member of the University Baseball Squad, the Fence Club, Scroll and Key, of the Torch Honor Society and of the Calhoun College touch football team in his Sophomore year. He was a member of the National Reserve Officers Training Corps.
He graduated with a BA in 1938 and went to work for Morgan & Lockwood of 44, Wall Street, New York City. He was employed by American Airlines from April 1939 to July 1940.
He was married at Greenwich, Connecticut on the 8th of March 1941 to Margaret Pitkin (nee Brown); they had two children, Barbara and David Fletcher Jr., born on the 10th of January 1943.
He was a member of the New York Local Defence Force from 1938 and undertook a V-7 training course on board the Midshipman’s training ship USS Prairie State from November 1940 to February 1941. On the 18th of August 1941 he was called up for active duty with the United Stated Navy with the rank of Ensign and was posted to the Naval Reserve Training School at Staten Island. He served on inshore patrol duty from Staten Island from the 18th of August to the 12th of November 1941 and served in the Port Director’s Office in New York City from the 12th of November 1941 to the 23rd of February 1942. From the 23rd of February to the 5th of April 1942 he served at the Instructor training School at Fort Schuyler before being posted to the Naval Training School (Local Defence) based at Boston from the 5th of April to September 1942.
He was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade on the 15th of June 1942 and trained at the Sound School at Key West, Florida from the 2nd to the 16th of September 1942. He went on to the Submarine Chaser Training Center at Miami, Florida from the 16th of September to the 29th of October 1942. On the 31st of October 1942 he was appointed as Executive Officer and Navigator on a gunboat and was appointed as its commanding officer on the 8th of February 1943. On the 18th of June 1943 he was posted as Navigator to the patrol gunboat USS Plymouth (PG-57) and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of July 1943.
The USS Plymouth, under the command of Lieutenant Ormsby M. Mitchel Jr. USN, set sail from New York on the 4th of August 1943 as part of an escort for a coastal convoy which was bound for Key West.
At 9.37pm on the 5th of August 1943, the USS Plymouth was sailing some 90 miles off the coast of Elizabeth City, North Carolina when she picked up a contact on her sonar. As she swung to port to bear on the contact she was struck by a torpedo which had been fired by the U Boat U-566, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Hans Hornkohl. She had been struck just behind the bridge and the explosion forced her to roll to starboard before taking a heavy list to port. Her entire port side forward of the bridge was engulfed in flames and she sank two minutes later with the loss of 95 men from her crew of 179 officers and men. The survivors were picked up by the coast guard cutter USS Calypso and landed at Norfolk, Virginia the following day.
He received a posthumous Citation from the Secretary of the Navy for outstanding performance of his duty.
He is commemorated on the East Coast Memorial, Battery Park, New York.

Dalton, John Michael, son of Sir John Cornelius Dalton Kt. MIEE, barrister, and his first wife Winifred, d. of Charles Robertson; b. 20 Mar. 1924; adm. Sept. 1937 (B); left July 1940; Gonville & Caius Coll. Camb., matric. 1941; read for Bar, Gray’s Inn; 2nd Lieut. RE 1944; accidentally killed on active service with a Parachute Sqdn 7 Oct. 1944.

John Michael Dalton was born in Surrey on the 20th of March 1924 the only son of Sir John Cornelius Dalton MIEE FCIS, a barrister at law, and Lady Winifred (nee Robertson) Dalton of 20, Cheyne Walk, Chelsea in London and of “Little Brook”, North Holmwood in Surrey. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Busby’s from September 1937 to July 1940. He matriculated for Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1941 and read for the Bar at Gray’s Inn before enlisting into the army where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 23rd of July 1944. He joined the 4th Parachute Squadron based at Bisbrooke Hall, Glaston on the 22nd of August 1944. The unit left Glaston in late August and, being the most junior officer, John Dalton was chosen to remain behind with the Residue Party, which was to gather up spare equipment and to secure the base until the unit returned from operations when it was to move to Wragby. He was billeted at Glaston House.
At 4.30am on the morning of the 7th of October 1944, the officer in charge at Glaston received a telephone call from Leicester to say that John Dalton had been killed in a motor accident.
His funeral took place on the 12th of October 1944.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Gray’s Inn.
He is buried at St Mary Magdalene Church, Holmwood.

Davies, Kenneth Frederick, son of Frederick Albert Davies of Beaconsfield, and Ellen Florence, d. of Alfred George Phillips of Devonport; b. 16 Dec. 1918; adm. Sept. 1932 (R); left Dec. 1936; RAF in WW2 (Corpl Armourer); lost in HM Minelayer Welshman (Med.) 1 Feb. 1943.

Kenneth Frederick Davies was born at Acton, Middlesex on the 16th of December 1918 the son of Frederick Albert Davies, secretary to a public company, and Ellen Florence (nee Phillips) Davies of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. He was christened at St Martin’s Church, West Acton on the 21st of June 1919. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1932 to December 1936. On leaving school he worked as an Assistant Transport Superintendant and lodged at 9, Nevern Square, Kensington in London.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as an armourer and rose to the rank of Corporal.
In January 1943, Kenneth Davies boarded the cruiser minelayer HMS Welshman (M84) , under the command of Captain William Howard Dennis Friedberger DSO RN, which was transporting men and stores from Malta to Tobruk. At 5.45pm on the 1st of February 1943, HMS Welshman was struck by two torpedoes from of a spread of four which had been fired by the U Boat U-617, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Albrecht Brandt. The main deck area flooded and she capsized and sank two hours later with the loss of 163 of her passengers and crew. Several of the casualties were caused by exploding depth charges as she sank. 118 survivors were picked up after five hours in the water by the destroyers HMS Tetcott and HMS Belvoir and were taken to Alexandria. A further 6 survivors were rescued by small craft which had sailed out from Tobruk.
He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial Panel 9, Column 2.

de Bathe, Sir Christopher Albert, Bart., son of Capt. Patrick Wynne de Bathe, of Westminster, by Violet Lindsay, elder daughter of Nicholas Wood, M. P.; b. Sept. 17, 1905; adm. April 26, 1918 (R); left April 1919; went to Rugby School; 2nd Lieut. Highland Light Inf. 1925; retired 1927; Hon. Attache to the British Embassy at Constantinople 1930, and at Brussels 1931; correspondent for The Times in Persia 1932-3; succeeded his grandfather as 6th baronet Aug. 1940; Pilot Officer (A. and S. D.) R.A.F.V.R. Aug. 19, 1940; m. Jan. 11, 1932, Edna, daughter of Arthur Terrell, of Melbourne, Australia; killed on active service June 3, 1941.

Sir Christopher Albert de Bathe was born in London on the 17th of September 1905 the only son of Captain Patrick Wynne de Bathe Bt., HM Diplomatic Service, and Violet Lindsay (nee Wood later Compton) de Bathe of 121, Rue de la Commerce, Brussels, later of “Blackwater”, Lyndhurst in Hampshire. He was christened at St Paul’s Church, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge on the 17th of October 1905. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from the 26th of April 1918 to April 1919. He went on to Rugby School where he was in Cotton House from May 1919 to December 1921.
He attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst from 1923 before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry on the 29th of January 1925. He resigned his commission on the 19th of March 1927. He served as Hon Attaché in HM Diplomatic Service at Constantinople in 1930 and at Brussels in 1931. He was the Persia correspondent for the Times newspaper from 1932 to 1933.
He was married at St Michael’s Church, Pimlico on the 22nd of January 1932 to Edna Winifred (nee Terrell); they had a daughter, Charlotte Louise, born on the 24th of September 1934.
He succeeded to the Baronetcy on the death of his uncle in August 1940, becoming the 6th Baron de Bathe of Knightstown. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club.
He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 19th of August 1940.
On the 3rd of June 1941 Christopher de Bathe and a group of Royal Air Force officers were gathered on a golf course in Berkshire to watch some twin engined aircraft practicing dive bombing. He and three others were walking across the practice ground when he was struck and decapitated by the propeller of an aircraft which was flying at very low level.
His funeral took place at 3pm on the 10th of June 1941 and a memorial service was held in his memory at 3pm the following day at St Mark’s Church, South Audley Street, London.
He is buried at St Andrew’s Church, West Stoke.

Dearmer, Anthony, son of Percy Dearmer (qv) and his second wife; b. 23 June 1920; adm. Sept. 1933 (G); left Apr. 1936; Sgt RAFVR, killed on active service Apr. 1943.

Anthony Dearmer was born at Streatham, London on the 23rd of June 1920 the youngest son of the Reverend Dr Percy Dearmer DD OW, Professor of Ecclesiastical Art at King’s College, London, and his second wife, Nancy “Nan” (nee Knowles) Dearmer of 48, Jubilee Place, Chelsea in London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Grant’s from September 1933 to April 1936.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Anthony Dearmer took off on the 7th of April 1943 with his pilot, Flying Officer Taylor, in Beaufort Mk I DX114 for a training exercise. During the flight the aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea off the coast of Ayr. His body was recovered from the sea some 2 miles to the North East of Ailsa Craig. Flying Officer Taylor survived the accident.
He is buried at Greenock Cemetery Section CCC Grave 1333.

Doswell, Algernon Michael, son of Algernon George Doswell, accountant, of Sydenham, Kent; b. 1 June 1918; adm. Sept. 1931 (G); left July 1936; Univ. of Lond., fenced for the University 1939; MN radio officer, lost in the Norwegian SS Polyana, sunk by enemy action Apr. 1941.

Algernon Michael Doswell was born at Torquay, Devon on the 1st of June 1918 the only son of George Algernon Doswell, an accountant for a railway company, and Hilda Elizabeth (nee Fortune) Doswell of 17, Crescent Wood Road, Camberwell in Kent, later of 22, Ingleby Road, Ilford in Essex. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Grant’s from September 1931 to July 1936. He was a member of the Fencing team in 1934 and 1935, winning the Foil Medal in 1935, and was appointed as Captain. He represented the school in the Public Schools Fencing Championship in April 1934. He went on to the University of London where he studied Architecture and fenced for the university in 1939.
He trained as a wireless operator with the General Post Office from the 6th of May 1940 before enlisting in the Merchant Navy. He was posted to the steam merchant SS Polyana.
The SS Polyana, under the command of Master Karl Jacobsen, set sail from Sutherland on the 22nd of March 1941 bound for Oban where she was to join a convoy. She set sail from Oban on the 7th of April 1941 as part of Convoy OG-58 but detached from the convoy on the 14th of April 1941 and sailed on unescorted bound for Freetown where she was due to arrive on the 30th of April.
At 11.57pm on the 24th of April 1941, the SS Polyana was sailing alone, about 250 miles to the west south west of Cape Verde Island, when the U Boat U-103, under the command of Korvettenkapitän Viktor Schütze, fired a torpedo at her which missed. At 12.38am on the 25th of April 1941 U-103 fired a second torpedo which struck her close to the bridge and she sank about one minute later with the loss of her entire crew of twenty five.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record the date of his death as having occurred on the 23rd of April 1941 but all other records have the loss of the SS Polyana as having occurred on the 25th of April 1941.
He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial Panel 82.

Doulton, Michael Duke, brother of Peter Duke Doulton (qv); b. 19 Dec. 1908; adm. Sept. 1922 (A); left Apr. 1926; AMIMechE; Directorate of Aeronautical Production, Air Ministry; AAF RO (FO) 1936, recalled for service Aug. 1939; 601 Hurricane Sqdn June 1940; m. 3 Mar. 1939 Carol, d. of Paul Theodore Christie of St George's Sch. Newport, RI, USA; killed in action 31 Aug. 1940.

Michael Duke Doulton was born at Wandsworth Common, South London on the 19th of December 1908 the younger son of Orrok Mills Doulton, a pottery manufacturer, and Catherine May (nee Duke) Doulton of 37, Devere Gardens, London W8 and of Windmill House, Clapham Common in London. He was educated at Boxgrove School near Guildford and at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from the 22nd of September 1922 to the 30th of March 1926. He was a member of the 1st Football XI in 1925 and 1926, where he played at centre half and was awarded his School Colours in the latter year. The Elizabethan wrote the following on his 1925/26 season: - “A player with a beautiful style: knows the game and, moreover, executes his movements and passes with accuracy and correctness, but all this is done much too slowly, almost in a slovenly, laissez faire, manner. Moreover, he is painfully slow in getting back in the wake of the opposing centre forward. As a stylist the best footballer on the side – he must develop pace, energy and greater alertness. Even so has played some splendid games for the school.”
He entered an apprenticeship with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and worked for the Sentinel Service Depot from the 5th of May 1925 to the 14th of April 1927 and at the Machine and Erecting Shops, the blacksmiths and in the office for Dewrance and Co of London from the 2nd of May 1927 to the 28th of March 1929. This was followed by a period of six months further training with Messrs. Alfred Herbert Ltd of Coventry. He was elected as an Associate Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on the 21st of November 1930 but his membership lapsed on the 30th of December 1938.
He was commissioned as a Pilot officer in 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force on the 29th of September 1931 and was promoted to Flying Officer on the 29th of March 1933. He was reputed to have been the tallest pilot in the Royal Air Force. He resigned his commission on completion of his service on the 29th of September 1936 and passed into the Reserve.
Due to his engineering experience he joined the Air Ministry in 1938 where he worked for the Directorate of Aeronautical Productions in preparing car factories for conversion to aero engine production in the event of a war.
He was married at Shrewsbury on the 3rd of March 1939 to Carol (nee Christie, later Gilbart) of Yockleton, Shrewsbury, who he had met while skiing in Switzerland; they had a son, Paul, born in April 1941. During the Battle of Britain they lived in a cottage at Fontwell, West Sussex.
He was mobilised for war service on the 24th of August 1939 and was posted to 601 (County of London) Squadron based at RAF Tangmere on the 11th of June 1940.
Michael Doulton took off from RAF Tangmere at 6.05pm on the 20th of July 1940 in Hurricane Mk I P3884 as Green 1 in B Flight with five other aircraft from the Squadron to provide an escort to a convoy. During the mission they attacked and damaged a Dornier 17. While 25 miles to the south of Selsey Bill they spotted a Heinkel 59 seaplane at 7.20pm which was attacked by Michael Doulton who fired a five second burst at it from 300 yards before closing to between 100 and 150 yards where he fired another five second burst by which time the enemy aircraft was 100 feet above the sea. The enemy aircraft eventually crashed into the sea.
On his return to base at 7.40pm he wrote the following combat report: -
“B Flight took off at 18.05 to escort convoy and about 19.20 E/A was sighted – Green Section formed line astern. The E/A, a twin float – twin engined seaplane He59 was painted white all over, with large black civil type markings D-AKAR on the top of top plane and sides of fuselage and fin and Red Cross on to main plane., fuselage and fin and a small swastika on top of fin. During second stern attack flames burst from centre of fuselage, E/A appeared to stall and 4 crew jumped from nose and neck of fuselage. None of their parachutes opened and Green 3 was unable to see the crew swimming. It may be assumed that they were all killed on impact with the sea”.
On the 11th of August 1940, Michael Doulton took off from RAF Tangmere as Green 1 with B Flight. At 10.30am they encountered enemy aircraft – “too many to estimate correctly” flying at between 15,000 and 25,000 feet, some 20 to 25 miles to the south of Swanage. During the ensuing engagement he attacked and damaged two Messerschmitt Bf110 aircraft. He had fired four bursts of three to five seconds during the engagement at ranges of between 300 and 150 yards and had expended a total of 2,400 rounds of ammunition.
On his return to base at 11.15am he filed the following handwritten combat report: -
“As Green 1 I led the R.H. section of the Sqdn – At approx 10.30 hrs the Sqdn sighted a mass of aircraft stepped up and about 10 miles south of 601. (Vis – 30-40 miles practically no cloud out to sea). Interception was assisted by streaks of white exhaust cloud indicating top of E/A formation at approx 25,000’. As the centre layers of the enemy formation appeared to be hotly engaged Green section climbed from 21,000’ to 25,000’ and engaged one of the two top formations of Me110 (6-9 in each section) which had already formed into defensive circles. I saw several isolated E/A about 1,000’ above and ½ mile to the outside of those under. I opened fire on the tail of 1 Me110 at close range and saw trails of white smoke from the starboard engine. As the Me110 broke formation and dived I ceased fire and opened fire at a second Me110 with no apparent result. While circling, this Me110 lost considerable height and I found myself inside another circle of Me110’s. I opened fire at close range on one Me110 and saw white smoke coming from the port engine. This Me110 also broke away from the central and circling aircraft. I opened fire at a fourth Me110, having lost more height, but did not see any effect and while firing ran out of ammunition. During the combat I saw at least six wrecks in the sea either burning or just emerald green patches. I also saw several Hurricanes on the tails of E/A but was unable to identify either Green 2 or Green 3. Both the Tangmere ground station and I called for Green 2 and 3 but neither replied. Landed Tangmere 11.15 hours. Starboard petrol tank of my Hurricane pierced by one bullet and although entry and exit holes are large and jagged the self sealing compound prevented any appreciable loss of petrol.”
On the 13th of August 1940, Michael Doulton took off from RAF Tangmere at 6.30am in Hurricane Mk I P3884 as Green 1 in B Flight with four other aircraft from the Squadron. At 6.45am they sighted two formations of enemy aircraft, one of 21 twin engined aircraft and another made up of 18 Junkers 88 aircraft flying at heights of between 10,000 and 15,000 feet, some 5 to 10 miles to the north of Midhurst, Sussex. During the fighting which followed he fired 3 bursts of 5 seconds at between 400 and 200 yards resulting in he and Flight Lieutenant Hope sharing in the probable destruction of a Junkers 88. His aircraft was damaged during the combat. He landed back at base at 7.05am and filed the following combat report: - “As Green 1 I led the section line astern of the Squadron. At approx 6.40 while flying north 2 large formations of E/A was seen approx 5 miles away at 2 o’clock. As Red leader headed for the compact E/A formation, the second formation peeled off in front of me with diving brakes down (JU88). I turned left and followed one Ju88 in a steep dive but had no difficulty in overtaking it. My first burst from dead astern made the Ju88 pull out of his dive and my windscreen was covered with black oil. The Ju88 then levelled out and slowed to 150 mph enabling me to close in and get two long and steady bursts from direct astern, answering fire from the rear gunner ceased during my long burst and the Ju88 dived gently into the clouds and I lost it. We took off at 06.30 and landed 07.05 at Tangmere. Action took place above 10/10 cloud. When my ammunition was finished I watched a Ju88 hit and set on fire by a Hurricane, three of the crew jumped and their parachutes opened above cloud, 5 miles north of Goodwood the ju88 ½ rolled and dived almost vertically in flames.”
At 11.50am on the same day, he took off from RAF Tangmere in Hurricane Mk I P3884 as Green 1 in B Flight with five other aircraft from the Squadron. Shortly after taking off they intercepted a formation of more than 30 Messerschmitt Bf110s and Bf109s flying at between 20,000 and 25,000 feet to the west of Swanage at 12.05pm. During the dog fight which followed he claimed to have damaged a MeBf110 with a 2 second burst of fire at a range of 100 yards. He landed back at base at 1.05pm and filed the following handwritten combat report: - “As Green 1 I led the astern section of the Squadron. At 12.05 a large mass of A/C seen 5 miles to the S.W. of us. Ordered section line astern, climbed into the sun and engaged Me110s at 22,000’ which had formed defensive half circles. On getting inside circle I had no difficulty in turning inside the Me110 and had good position but turn was so tight that firing was very difficult. Me110s dived on me but more often ended up beneath. After nearly 10 minutes managed to get on 1 Me110’s tail. This aircraft immediately rolled on its back and as he fell out of the roll I gave him a burst at about 100 yds range. Smoke and slight flame seen in cockpit of this Me110. Turning away to re-engage I lost sight of the remainder of E/A. Landed Tangmere 13.05.
On the 15th of August 1940, Michael Doulton took off from RAF Tangmere at 5.05pm in Hurricane Mk I P3884 as Green 1 in B Flight with five other aircraft from the Squadron. During their patrol they spotted 12 Junkers 88 aircraft at 17,000 feet over Bishops’ Waltham at 5.40pm. During the ensuing fight he claimed a half share in the destruction of a Junkers 88. He landed back at base at 6.15pm and filed the following handwritten combat report: - “As Green 1 I led the section astern of the Sqdn. Practically no cloud but mist up to 10,000’. At 17.30 hrs Sqdn of E/A bombers seen passing over Spithead. We were at 20,000’ and what appeared to be a large number of E/A were seen out to sea and apparently already engaged. Green section followed Red section closely into a quarter attack on the E/A bomber Sqdn. No E/A fighters appeared to follow their bombers inland. The E/A were in a tight and level V with one straggler 1,000’ below and ½ mile astern. Although we were slightly above the formation it was necessary to use full throttle to gain slowly on them. The formation wheeled right during my first attack and my sighting was upset by slip stream effects. The group of right hand bombers jettisoned their bombs. After some time four Ju88s broke formation and dived. I got onto the tail of the last of these. He dived very steeply but I got in a steady burst dead astern. We both pulled out near Southampton balloons. He then started evasions which were merely steep dives and climbing turns. My next bursts were slight deflections on both sides of the fuselage; oil poured from the engines and covered my windscreen. During the next burst at 100 yds range streams of dense white smoke poured from the wing tips. I imagined this was done purposely to make the fighter think the aircraft was burning. On my final burst he dived steeply and landed in a stubble field on a hill south of Winchester. Just before landing he jettisoned incendiary bombs. Four of the crew were seen walking around the crashed A/C. I circled low and fired several white Verey cartridges to call the attention of people on the ground. F/O Clyde assisted in shooting down this E/A and he witnessed the landing. I landed Tangmere 18.20hrs”
The enemy aircraft was Junkers 88 L1+BM of 4/LG1 which was on a mission to bomb Tangmere and Westhampnett airfields. The enemy aircraft crashed at Twyford where the crew of Unteroffizier E. Poggensee, Unteroffizier E. Kusche, Unteroffizier H. Burkhardt and Unteroffizier R. Muller were captured.
On the 16th of August 1940, Michael Doulton took off from RAF Tangmere at 12.25pm in Hurricane Mk I P3884 as Green 1 in B Flight with five other aircraft from the Squadron for a patrol. Once airborne they encountered 30 to 40 Junkers 87 “Stukas” between Tangmere and Selsey Bill. During the ensuing combat he was engaged at heights from between 13,000 and 1,000 feet during which he claimed to have destroyed one Junkers 87 and to have damaged two more. On landing back at base at 1.10pm he filed the following handwritten combat report: -
“As Green 1 I led the section astern of the Squadron. We took off at 12.25 hrs. Horizontal visibility 8 miles. While patrolling Selsey Bill at 20,000’ a stepped up formation of approx 40 Ju87s were seen just preparing to attack Tangmere from 12/13,000’. Following several down I got on ones’ tail and gave him a 5 sec burst from dead astern. Black smoke formed from the wing roots and he gradually caught fire and dived down and away 4 miles S.W. of Tangmere. I did not see this Ju87 crash. I then was amongst about 8 Ju87 who were all employing evasive tactics. I gave another a burst from close range dead astern and saw my bullets above and below both wing roots of which rounds entered the wings and fuselage and he jettisoned a large bomb near a bungalow at Selsey. Another Hurricane attacked this Ju87. I attacked another Ju87 about 1,000’ over the sea but ran out of ammunition. I continued to dive on this Ju87 but was unable to force it into the sea. While I was doing this I saw another Hurricane also very low down chasing another Ju87. This Ju87 eventually dived into the sea and I saw two Nazis floating by the wreckage about 2 miles south of the Selsey Wreck. I landed Tangmere 13.20 hours.”
On the 31st of August 1940 Michael Doulton took off from RAF Debden at 12.25pm in Hurricane Mk I R4215 with five other aircraft from the Squadron for an interception. At 1.15pm they were heavily engaged with enemy aircraft during which three of the Squadron’s aircraft were shot down in flames with all three pilots escaping by parachute with only one having suffered injuries. They claimed to have destroyed four enemy aircraft during the engagement, probably destroyed three more and to have damaged another two. Michael Doulton’s aircraft was last seen over the Thames estuary at 1.30pm. He is thought to have been shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf109.
His mother received the following telegram dated the 2nd of September 1940: -“Regret to inform you that your son Flying Officer Michael Duke Doulton is reported as missing as the result of air operations on August 31st 1940. Any further information will be immediately communicated to you. Should news of him reach you from any source please inform this department. His wife is being informed.”
In a letter dated the 2nd of September 1940, Carol Doulton wrote: - “Although I shall wait another 24 hours before telling his family and leaving here, I am sure that he is dead. I pray that he came down into the sea and that he will just vanish. I have no desire for the horror of bodies and funerals to come between me and my last happy memories of Michael young and strong and confident. Don't waste grief on me. Remember that I have a child to look forward to and that I've had eighteen months of wonderful happiness. And I am too proud of Michael to be unhappy in a petty way."
On the 27th of April 1984, an aircraft was excavated to the south of Wennington Church, near Romford, Essex. It proved to be Hurricane Mk I R4215 and Michael Doulton's remains were still in the cockpit. He was cremated in a private ceremony at Hastings in June 1984 and his ashes were interred at Salehurst churchyard.
He is buried at Salehurst Cemetery Grave 133B.