Cyril Spurdens
Cyril Norfolk 'Spud' Spurdens | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Spud |
| Born | 23 March 1923 |
| Died | November 2002 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940-1958 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 70 Squadron RAF No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross |
Squadron Leader Cyril Norfolk Spurdens DFC AFC (23 March 1923 – November 2002) was a British Royal Air Force bomber pilot of the Second World War.
Spurdens was born in London and educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich. In 1940 he enlisted into the Royal Air Force, and held the rank of sergeant by 1943.[1] On 5 February 1943 he commissioned into the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with the rank of pilot officer.[2] On 5 August 1943 Spurdens was promoted to war substantive flight officer. On 20 August 1943, Spurdens was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving with No. 70 Squadron RAF as a Vickers Wellington bomber pilot.[3]
From October 1943 he served with No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF, based at RAF Aqir. On 1 January 1946 Spurdens was awarded the Air Force Cross for his services in the Middle East during the war.[4] He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 5 August 1946, and on 15 June 1948 he received a permanent commission in the RAF.[5] On 1 July 1952 Spurdens was promoted to Squadron Leader. He retired from the RAF on 19 September 1958.[6]
On 23 March 1946, he married Massie Steer at St. Mary's Church, Watford.[7] He died in Rutland in 2002.
Citation[edit]
This officer has completed 40 sorties and has invariably displayed great courage and determination in pressing home his attacks. One night in July, 1943, he took part in an attack on Syracuse and his excellent work contributed materially to the success achieved. On another occasion, Pilot Officer Spurdens undertook a mine-laying mission and, despite fire from the shore batteries and much searchlight activity, accomplished his task successfully. In other operations over the battle area, Pilot Officer Spurdens has achieved success. On one occasion, one engine of his aircraft was rendered unserviceable when hit by anti-aircraft fire. Nevertheless, he skilfully flew the aircraft to base many hundreds of miles distant. This officer has displayed courage, skill and tenacity of a high order.
— Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross, London Gazette, Tuesday, 17 August 1943.[8]
References[edit]
- ↑ 'Spurdens, Cyril Norfolk' in Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers at unithistories.com, accessed 10 January 2016
- ↑ 'Spurdens, Cyril Norfolk' in Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers at unithistories.com, accessed 10 January 2016
- ↑ "No. 36140". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 20 August 1943. London Gazette uses unsupported parameters (help) - ↑ "No. 37407". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 1 January 1946. London Gazette uses unsupported parameters (help) - ↑ "No. 38441". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 26 October 1948. London Gazette uses unsupported parameters (help) - ↑ 'Spurdens, Cyril Norfolk' in Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve) (RAF(VR)) Officers at unithistories.com, accessed 10 January 2016
- ↑ [1] Edward Alleyn Magazine No.255, Vol.30 (November 1946), p.298
- ↑ "No. 36140". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 20 August 1943. London Gazette uses unsupported parameters (help)
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- Pages containing London Gazette template with deprecated parameters
- 1923 births
- 2002 deaths
- British World War II pilots
- People educated at Alleyn's School
- People from Camberwell
- Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Royal Air Force officers
- Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II
