To be numbered in the select band a Pilot, Air Gunner, or Observer
had to have flown at least one operational sortie with an eligible
Squadron between 10th Jul and 31st Oct 1940.
This entitled him to wear a metal clasp with the words “Battle Of Britain”
on the ribbon of his 1939 - 1945 Star.
If the ribbon alone is worn a Silver Rosette denotes the entitlement.
In all 2945 men qualified for the clasp, of whom 2388 came from the U.K.
Of the remaining 557 men, 129 men from NZ are officially recognized,
4 additional men are recognized by the RNZAF, but, due to lack of
documentary evidence have not been accepted by the
“Battle Of Britain Association”.
During the 16 week period, 20 of these men lost their lives, and a
further 40 of these men were killed later in the war.
During this period 3 became POW, and 8 became POW’s later,
3 of them Japanese POWs
Eligible Squadrons And Their Aircraft
3, Hurricane
19, Spitfire
23, Blenheim
25, Blenheim
29, Blenheim
41, Spitfire
43, Hurricane
54, Spitfire
56, Hurricane
65, Spitfire
66, Spitfire
72, Spitfire
74, Spitfire
79, Hurricane
85, Hurricane
87, Hurricane
92, Spitfire
111, Hurricane
141, Defiant
145, Hurricane
151, Hurricane
213, Hurricane
219, Beaufighter
222, Spitfire
229, Hurricane
234, Hurricane
235, Blenheim
236, Blenheim
238, Hurricane
242, Hurricane
245, Hurricane
248, Blenheim
253, Blenheim
257, Hurricane
258, Hurricane
264, Defiant
266, Spitfire
501, Hurricane
504, Hurricane
600, Blenheim
603, Spitfire
604, Beaufighter
605, Hurricane
607, Hurricane
610, Spitfire
615, Hurricane
421 Flight, Hurricane / Spitfire
422 Flight, Hurricane
Name: K Park
Rank During BoB: Air Vice Marshall
Highest Rank Achieved: Air Chief Marshall
Position: Responsible for the fighter defence of London during
the Battle of Britain
Flew his personal Hurricane to visit Stations
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 20 Dec 46
Notes: died 6 Feb 75
Awarded the MC and Bar in WW1 as a fighter pilot,
he insisted on maintaining his own guns and sights during this period.
With Captain Stewart in 1919 they made the second non-stop
flight around Britain’s coast line for which he was awarded the DFC
Name: J H L Allen
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: F/O
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 151, 87
BoB Sqn: 151 -Hurricane-
Date departed NZ: 24 May 37
Other Aircraft flown: Battle
Notes: KIA 12 Jul 40
Name: M R Andrews
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Air Gunner converted to Pilot
Came from Sqn: 264 - Defiant-
BoB Sqn: 277, -Defiant- flew 122 sorties
Ship departed NZ: Rangitikei
Date departed NZ: 13 Feb 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF:
Other Aircraft flown: Mosquito, Walrus, Lysander,
Notes: To School Of Navigation, New Plymouth NZ
Name: G M Baird
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn:
BoB Sqn: 248 -Blenheim-
Destroyed: 2
Date departed NZ: 1 Nov 38
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 1 Dec 63
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane, P40, Spitfire
Notes: POW 20 Oct 40
Name: R E Bary
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: W/C
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 224? Hudson?
Went to Sqn/s: 274, 229, 250, 80 [CO], 239 Wing [CO],
244 Wing [CO],
Destroyed: 3
Probable: 4
Damaged: 3
Shared: 2
Date departed NZ: 16 Dec 38
Notes: KIA 12 Apr 45
Name: L Baly
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/O
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 111 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 62, 34, 40NZ,
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 24 Oct 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 18 May 45
Notes: To School Of Navigation, New Plymouth NZ
Name: A Bennison
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 25 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: 89, 46, TAF
Ship departed NZ: Rangitikei
Date departed NZ: 18 Feb 40
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 22 Sep 44
Re-enlisted: F/L Navigator/Radar in TAF
Notes: Nov 44 until 31 Dec 69
Name: J Bickerdike
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: P/O
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 85 -Hurricane-
Date departed NZ: Jun 39
Notes: KIA 22 Jul 40
Name: M D Blake
DFC
Rank During BoB: F/L
Highest Rank Achieved: W/C
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 17
BoB Sqn: 238 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 234 [CO], Polish Wing [CO]
Destroyed: 8
Shared: 4
Date departed NZ: Nov 36
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 58
Other Aircraft flown: Spitfire
Notes: POW 19 Aug 42
Name: J S Brennan
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: Sgt
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 23 -Blenheim-
Ship departed NZ: Akoroa
Date departed NZ: 18 Sep 39
Notes: KIA 21 Aug 40
Name: F N Brinsden
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: W/C
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 19 -Spitfire-
Went to Sqn/s: 303 Polish, 485 NZ [Flt Commander], 25, 141,
Destroyed: 1
Shared: 1
Date departed NZ: Aug 37
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: Dec 66
Notes: POW 18 Aug 43
Name: R W Brookman
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: Sgt
Position: Observer
Came from Sqn: 106
BoB Sqn: 235 -Blenheim-
Ship departed NZ: Rangitata
Date departed NZ: 15 Jan 40
Notes: KIA 22 Feb 41
Name: B W Brown
Rank During BoB: P/O
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 613
BoB Sqn: 610 -Spitfire-
Went to Sqn/s: 72
Date departed NZ: 22 Sep 38
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 45
Other Aircraft flown: Hector, Lysander,
Name: W R Burns
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 236 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: 262, 221, 1417 Flight, 172, 210, 59, 279,
Ship departed NZ: Akoroa
Date departed NZ: 15 Jan 40
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 21 Dec 46
Other Aircraft flown: Blenheim, Wellington, Catalina, Liberator
Name: D L Burton
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: W/O
Position: Observer
Came from Sqn: 106
BoB Sqn: 248 -Blenheim-
Destroyed: 1
Ship departed NZ: Rangitata
Date departed NZ: 15 Jan 40
Notes: POW 20 Oct 40
Name: C R Bush
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: S/L
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 615
BoB Sqn: 242 CAF, -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 158, 41 NZ, 15 NZ [Flt Commander],21 NZ [CO],
G P NZ Comms Flight [CO]
Destroyed: 1
Probable: 2
Damaged: 1
Shared: 1
Date departed NZ: 15 Jun 39
Notes: KIA 30 Nov 48 in the Ruahines NZ
Name: A Campbell
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 264 -Defiant-
Went to Sqn/s: 75 NZ, 156, 75 NZ,
Ship departed NZ: Akarora
Date departed NZ: 20 Nov 39
Other Aircraft flown: Wellington
Notes: KIA 29 Jul 42
Name: D Campbell
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: W/O
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 23 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: 116, 159, 178,
Destroyed: 1
Probable: 2
Damaged: 4
Ship departed NZ: Rangitikei
Date departed NZ: 13 Feb 40
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 8 Apr 53
Other Aircraft flown: Havoc, Liberator
Name: B J G Carbury
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 41
BoB Sqn: 603 -Spitfire-
Went to Sqn/s: Instructor
Destroyed: 5
Probable: 11
Damaged: 2
Shared: 1
Date departed NZ: 27 Sep 37
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 44
Other Aircraft flown: Fury
Name: M K Carswell
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: S/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 43 -Hurricane-
Date departed NZ: 4 Jan 37
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 26 Jan 46
Other Aircraft flown: Fury
Name: C Chrystall
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: WOp/Gunner
Came from Sqn: 23
BoB Sqn: 235 -Blenheim-
Converted to Pilot
Went to Sqn/s: 485 NZ [1 Destroyed, 1 Damaged],123 [1 Destroyed],
234
Destroyed: 2
Damaged: 1
Date departed NZ: 7 Apr 38
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 20 Jul 46
Other Aircraft flown: Blenheim, Hurricane, Spitfire
Notes: POW 6 Jun 44
Name: E W Churches
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: P/O
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 74 -Spitfire-
Destroyed: 2
Probable: 1
Shared: 1
Ship departed NZ: Rangitata
Date departed NZ: 26 Oct 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF:
Notes: KIA 19 Apr 41
Name: E Clouston
Rank During BoB: S/L
Highest Rank Achieved: A/C
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 25, 24, Test Pilot at Farnbrough
BoB Sqn: 219 -Beaufighter-
Went to Sqn/s: 1422 Flt [1 Destroyed], 224 [1 Sub], CO Ohakea
Destroyed: 1
Shared: 1
Date departed NZ: Sep 30
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: Oct 34
Re-Joined RAF: Sep 39
Retired: Apr 60
Other Aircraft flown: Siskin, Fury, Spitfire, Beaufighter
Name: W G Clouston
Rank During BoB: F/L
Highest Rank Achieved: A G/C
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 19
BoB Sqn: 258 [CO] -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 488 NZ [CO]
Destroyed: 10
Probable: 1
Shared: 2
Date departed NZ: 27 Apr 36
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 57
Other Aircraft flown: Gauntlet, Buffalo
Notes: POW Fall of Singapore 42
Name: D G Cobden
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: P/O
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 3, 615
BoB Sqn: 74 -Spitfire-
Destroyed: 1
Probable: 1
Damaged: 1
Shared: 2
Date departed NZ: Jan 39
Notes: KIA 11 Aug 40
Name: B G Collyns
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 238 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 601, 238, 243, 222, 485 NZ, 1493 Flight, 65, 19,
Destroyed: 7
Probable: 1
Damaged: 4
Shared: 1
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 19 Nov 39
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane, Spitfire, Mustang
Notes: KIA 20 Aug 44
Name: J B Courtis
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: Sgt
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 111 -Hurricane-
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 19 Nov 39
Notes: KIA 5 Dec 40
Name: H W Crawford
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: F/O
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 219 -Beaufighter-
Went to Sqn/s: 143, 272
Destroyed: 1
Ship departed NZ: Mataroa
Date departed NZ: 26 Oct 39
Other Aircraft flown: Beaufighter
Notes: POW 19 Dec 41, Escaped 21 Dec 41, KIA 6 Feb 42,
Name: E E Croker
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: Sgt
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 111 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 260, 41,
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 18 Dec 39
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane
Notes: KIA 2 Jun 42
Name: V W J Crook
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: W/O
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 264 -Defiant-
Went to Sqn/s: 37, 160,178, 1 NZ, RAAF,
Ship departed NZ: Akaroa
Date departed NZ: 15 Jan 41
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 9 Jun 44
Name: J T Davidson
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: W/C
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 235 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: CGI,Rotorua,CGI Delta, CGI ECFS, Asst AMP,
CO Admin Wing Wigram
Ship departed NZ: Mataroa
Date departed NZ: 17 Oct 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 26 Jun 51
Other Aircraft flown: Blenheim
Notes:
Name: K Dawick
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 111 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 605, 238, 2 SFTS NZ [Instructor],1 SFTS NZ [Instructor]
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 18 Dec 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 11 Nov 45
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane, Spitfire
Notes:
Name: A Deere
Rank During BoB: F/L
Highest Rank Achieved: A/C
Position: Pilot
Came from Sqn: 54
BoB Sqn: 54 -Spitfire-
Went to Sqn/s: 602, 403 RCAF [CO], 611, Wing Leader Biggin Hill,
Airfield 145 [CO],
Date departed NZ: 23 Sep 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: Oct 67
Re-enlisted Dec 67
Retired Dec 77
Other Aircraft flown: Gladiator, Spitfire
Name: V B De La Perrelle
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: S/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 245 - Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 258, 165, 66,
Date departed NZ: 4 Oct 38
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 57
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane, Spitfire
Notes: POW Japan 20 Mar 42
Name: C R Durrant
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: P/O
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 23 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: 116, 1445 Flight, 150,
Ship departed NZ: Rangitikei
Date departed NZ: 13 Feb 40
Release date from RAF/RNZAF:
Other Aircraft flown: Blenheim, Manchester, Liberator
Notes: KIA 28 Oct 42
Name: H D P Dyer
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: Sgt
Position: Air Gunner
BoB Sqn: 600 -Blenheim-
Went to Sqn/s: 218
Ship departed NZ: Rangitata
Date departed NZ: 12 Mar 40
Notes: KIA 16 Jul 41
Name: E R Edmunds
Rank During BoB: F/O
Highest Rank Achieved: S/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 245, 615, -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 258, 213,
Date departed NZ: 8 Aug 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: Aug 46
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane
Notes: POW 12 Jun 42
Name: W T Eiby
Rank During BoB: P/O
Highest Rank Achieved: S/L
Position: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 245 -Hurricane-
Went to Sqn/s: 73, ?NZ, 6NZ, 40 NZ,
Destroyed: 1
Ship departed NZ: Rangitane
Date departed NZ: 20 Nov 39
Release date from RAF/RNZAF:
Other Aircraft flown: Hurricane, Catalina,
Notes:
Name: C S Emeny
Rank During BoB: Sgt
Highest Rank Achieved: F/L
Position: Air Gunner , Observer/Radio,
Converted to: Pilot
BoB Sqn: 264 -Defiant-
Went to Sqn/s: 255, 409 RCAF, 27, 45,
Destroyed: 1
Probable: 1
Ship departed NZ: Akaroa
Date departed NZ: 15 Jan 40
Release date from RAF/RNZAF: 46
Other Aircraft flown: Defiant, Beaufighter, Blenheim
Notes: POW Japan 10 Nov 44