Bob Braham
Encyclopedia
John Randall Daniel 'Bob' Braham DSO & Two Bars
, DFC & Two Bars
, AFC
, CD
, (6 April 1920 – 7 February 1974) was a British pilot and one of the most highly decorated airman of the RAF in World War II
. He claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed one more, and damaged 6 in 318 operational flights. He was the top scoring RAF ace flying twin-engined fighters and was fifth among RAF fighter pilots in all theatres of war.
. His father was a Methodist Minister and a Doctor of Theology
who had served as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
in World War I
.
Braham was educated at public school in Taunton
in Somerset and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
, Blackburn, Lancashire.
in December 1938, flying the two-seater Hawker Demon. Early in 1939 No 29 Squadron re-equipped with the Bristol Blenheim
, but soon after switched to the Hawker Hurricane
. Braham carried out his first operational patrols of World War II in September 1939. He had by now been given the nickname 'Bob', which stayed with him throughout his service career. (Braham 1961, p. 41)
No 29 Squadron was now designated a night-fighter squadron and once again received Blenheim l's. In mid 1940, they were being equipped with the early AI Mk III RDF 'radar' and four Browning machine guns in a pack under the belly. The squadron started night flights over Lincolnshire
in June 1940. On the night of 24/25 August 1940, during the Battle of Britain
, Bob destroyed his first enemy aircraft, a Dornier Do 17
, guided by his AI operator Sgt. Wilsden. (Braham 1961, pp. 56–58)
In October 1940 the squadron started to receive the more modern Bristol Beaufighter
Mk IFs with Mk IV AI radar.
Braham received a DFC in January 1941. In March he destroyed another enemy aircraft, a Dornier Do 17
of Stab. Kampfgeschwader 2
, his first in a Beaufighter. No 29 Squadron moved to RAF West Malling
, Kent
in May 1941 and it was from here that Braham really developed his night fighting skills, with the start of his association with two Navigators/Radar Operators who would contribute so much to his success: 'Sticks' Gregory and 'Jacko' Jacobs. (Braham 1961)
By November 1941 he had claimed 7 enemy aircraft, and was a Flight Lieutenant
, receiving a bar to his DFC. In January 1942 Braham finished his tour of operations and was posted from No 29 Squadron to No 51 OTU at Cranfield
as an instructor with his Navigator/AI operator F/Sgt 'Sticks' Gregory. (Braham 1961, p. 107)
While at Cranfield, Braham and Gregory visited 29 Squadron at West Malling
and operating on the night of the 6/7 June 1942 in a borrowed Beaufighter, destroyed a Dornier 217 raiding Canterbury
. He was posted back to No 29 Squadron from 51 OTU in July 1942 as a Squadron Leader
and Flight Commander. After damaging a Ju 88 on the 24th he destroyed another on the 28th. On the 29th he attacked and damaged a Junkers Ju 88
flying at 150 ft above the English Channel
. Return fire from the Ju 88 caused his port engine to catch fire, forcing a crash landing near Beachy Head. Neither he nor Jacobs were injured. He was awarded his first DSO in October 1942. (Braham 1961, p. 125)
By this time Bob Braham had destroyed 12 enemy aircraft with 1 probable and 4 damaged. He was then given command of No. 141 Squadron RAF
at Ford in late 1942 as a 22-year-old Wing Commander. With him went his AI operator Gregory, now a Flying Officer with the DFC
and DFM
. (Braham 1961, pp. 133–136)
No 141 Squadron's Beaufighter Mk.IF's moved to Cornwall
in February 1943 to carry out night patrols over Brittany
and SW France and daylight patrols over the Bay of Biscay
and Atlantic Approaches to protect Coastal Command aircraft.
. It had been chosen to be the first night fighter squadron to operate over Germany and occupied Europe in the bomber support role. Their Beaufighters were equipped with the new Serrate radar detector
, which picked up the radar impulses given out by the German night fighter's' Lichtenstein AI radar. The Beaufighters were also equipped with Mk IV radar.
Serrate operations started in June 1943. Braham had immediate success, destroying an Bf 110
over Holland. When Braham left No 141 Squadron in October 1943 the squadron had destroyed 14 enemy aircraft using Serrate. His own score on Serrate operations was 7 destroyed, bringing his total to 20. Several of the Luftwaffe pilots he shot down were Experten, with numerous night kills to their credit; 4./NJG 1 lost both Fw. Krafft (15 claims) killed and Fw. Heinz Vinke
(53 claims) (bailed out; his crew was killed) on 17 August while Hpt. August Geiger
(IV/NJG 1; 53 claims) was shot down and drowned on 29 September. Braham was awarded the first bar to his DSO on 24 September 1943.
from October 1943 until February 1944. He was then posted as 'Wing Commander Night Operations ' at HQ No. 2 Group RAF
. Although a Staff Officer at HQ, Braham was able, with persistence, to persuade his AOC, Air Vice Marshal Basil Embry
to allow him to 'free-lance' using a Mosquito FBVI
loaned from one of the various squadrons in the group. On 12 May Braham's Mosquito was hit by both anti-aircraft fire and fire from a Bf 109 over Denmark
. Braham and Gregory bailed out 70 miles from the English coast, being hauled out of the water by Air-Sea Rescue. (Braham 1961, pp. 234–239)
His last operation of the war was a lone daylight 'Ranger' operation over Denmark and north Germany on 25 June 1944. Attacked by two Focke-Wulf Fw 190
's of Jagdgeschwader 1
over Denmark
, he managed to crash land his crippled plane on a sandstrip by the coast and was captured. One of the German pilots (Robert Spreckles) insisted on meeting him and the two became friends after the war. By the time he was shot down Braham had carried out 15 'Ranger' operations over France, Denmark and Germany, during which he destroyed another 9 enemy aircraft.
where he tested and developed existing and new night fighting equipment.
There followed a period of two years of non-flying appointments, with HQ Technical Training Command, OC No 2 Wing, No 3 Recruits Centre Padgate and the Air Ministry
in London. In August 1948, he was posted to command the Fighter Interception Development Squadron and Night Fighter Leader School of the Central Fighter Establishment.
In May 1952 he resigned from the RAF for the second time. He joined the RCAF
with the rank of Wing Commander and commanded their first all-weather jet fighter unit based at North Bay, Ontario
. Braham left No 3 AW(F)OTU in June 1955 for a staff appointment at Air Force HQ in Ottawa
, which he held for over two years.
in January 1968 and settled in Nova Scotia
.
In December 1973 he suddenly became ill and died in hospital from a brain tumour on 7 February 1974 at the age of 53. He left a widow and 3 sons.
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, DFC & Two Bars
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
, AFC
Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
, CD
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
, (6 April 1920 – 7 February 1974) was a British pilot and one of the most highly decorated airman of the RAF in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, probably destroyed one more, and damaged 6 in 318 operational flights. He was the top scoring RAF ace flying twin-engined fighters and was fifth among RAF fighter pilots in all theatres of war.
Early life
He was born on 6 April 1920 in Holcombe, SomersetHolcombe, Somerset
Holcombe is a small village and civil parish in the Mendip local government district of Somerset, England. The parish contains the hamlets of Barlake and Edford...
. His father was a Methodist Minister and a Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy....
who had served as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Braham was educated at public school in Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
in Somerset and Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Blackburn, Lancashire, founded in 1509 as a boys' school. The term "school" is usually used to collectively refer to the following:...
, Blackburn, Lancashire.
Early career
In December 1937 he joined the RAF as an officer cadet, attaining his pilot's wings in August 1938. (Braham 1961, p. 35)Military career
His first squadron was 29 SquadronNo. 29 Squadron RAF
No. 29 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was first raised in 1915, and is one of the world's oldest fighter squadrons. The second British squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon, it is currently the Operational Conversion Unit for the RAF's newest fighter.-Service in World War I:This unit was...
in December 1938, flying the two-seater Hawker Demon. Early in 1939 No 29 Squadron re-equipped with the Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
, but soon after switched to the Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force...
. Braham carried out his first operational patrols of World War II in September 1939. He had by now been given the nickname 'Bob', which stayed with him throughout his service career. (Braham 1961, p. 41)
No 29 Squadron was now designated a night-fighter squadron and once again received Blenheim l's. In mid 1940, they were being equipped with the early AI Mk III RDF 'radar' and four Browning machine guns in a pack under the belly. The squadron started night flights over Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
in June 1940. On the night of 24/25 August 1940, during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
, Bob destroyed his first enemy aircraft, a Dornier Do 17
Dornier Do 17
The Dornier Do 17, sometimes referred to as the Fliegender Bleistift , was a World War II German light bomber produced by Claudius Dornier's company, Dornier Flugzeugwerke...
, guided by his AI operator Sgt. Wilsden. (Braham 1961, pp. 56–58)
In October 1940 the squadron started to receive the more modern Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
Mk IFs with Mk IV AI radar.
Braham received a DFC in January 1941. In March he destroyed another enemy aircraft, a Dornier Do 17
Dornier Do 17
The Dornier Do 17, sometimes referred to as the Fliegender Bleistift , was a World War II German light bomber produced by Claudius Dornier's company, Dornier Flugzeugwerke...
of Stab. Kampfgeschwader 2
Kampfgeschwader 2
Kampfgeschwader 2 " Holzhammer " was a Luftwaffe bomber unit during the Second World War. The unit was formed in May 1939. The unit operated the Dornier Do 17 light bomber, Dornier Do 217 and Junkers Ju 188 heavy bombers....
, his first in a Beaufighter. No 29 Squadron moved to RAF West Malling
RAF West Malling
RAF West Malling was a Royal Air Force station near West Malling in Kent, England.Originally used as a landing area during the first World War, the site opened as a private landing ground and in 1930, then known as Kingshill, home to the Maidstone School of Flying, before being renamed West Malling...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
in May 1941 and it was from here that Braham really developed his night fighting skills, with the start of his association with two Navigators/Radar Operators who would contribute so much to his success: 'Sticks' Gregory and 'Jacko' Jacobs. (Braham 1961)
By November 1941 he had claimed 7 enemy aircraft, and was a Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
, receiving a bar to his DFC. In January 1942 Braham finished his tour of operations and was posted from No 29 Squadron to No 51 OTU at Cranfield
Cranfield
Cranfield is a village and civil parish in north west Bedfordshire, England, between Bedford and Milton Keynes. It has a population of 4,909, and is in Central Bedfordshire District....
as an instructor with his Navigator/AI operator F/Sgt 'Sticks' Gregory. (Braham 1961, p. 107)
While at Cranfield, Braham and Gregory visited 29 Squadron at West Malling
West Malling
West Malling is a historic market town in the Tonbridge and Malling district of Kent, England. It has a population of about 3000-5000.-Landmarks:...
and operating on the night of the 6/7 June 1942 in a borrowed Beaufighter, destroyed a Dornier 217 raiding Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
. He was posted back to No 29 Squadron from 51 OTU in July 1942 as a Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
and Flight Commander. After damaging a Ju 88 on the 24th he destroyed another on the 28th. On the 29th he attacked and damaged a Junkers Ju 88
Junkers Ju 88
The Junkers Ju 88 was a World War II German Luftwaffe twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. Designed by Hugo Junkers' company through the services of two American aviation engineers in the mid-1930s, it suffered from a number of technical problems during the later stages of its development and early...
flying at 150 ft above the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
. Return fire from the Ju 88 caused his port engine to catch fire, forcing a crash landing near Beachy Head. Neither he nor Jacobs were injured. He was awarded his first DSO in October 1942. (Braham 1961, p. 125)
By this time Bob Braham had destroyed 12 enemy aircraft with 1 probable and 4 damaged. He was then given command of No. 141 Squadron RAF
No. 141 Squadron RAF
No. 141 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 January 1918 at Rochford, for home defence in the London Area. The Squadron moved to RAF Biggin Hill in February and giving up its mixed collection of types in favour of Bristol F.2 Fighters during March...
at Ford in late 1942 as a 22-year-old Wing Commander. With him went his AI operator Gregory, now a Flying Officer with the DFC
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and DFM
DFM
DFM is a three letter abbreviation which could mean or stand for:* a pseudonym of Paul Van Dyk* D. F. M. Strauss* Dan for Mayor, a Canadian comedy television series starring Fred Ewanuick* Department of Family Medicine...
. (Braham 1961, pp. 133–136)
No 141 Squadron's Beaufighter Mk.IF's moved to Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
in February 1943 to carry out night patrols over Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
and SW France and daylight patrols over the Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
and Atlantic Approaches to protect Coastal Command aircraft.
Serrate and bomber support
In May 1943 No 141 Squadron moved to RAF WitteringRAF Wittering
RAF Wittering is a Royal Air Force station within the unitary authority area of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Although Stamford in Lincolnshire is the nearest town, the runways of RAF Wittering cross the boundary between Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire....
. It had been chosen to be the first night fighter squadron to operate over Germany and occupied Europe in the bomber support role. Their Beaufighters were equipped with the new Serrate radar detector
Serrate radar detector
Serrate was an Allied radar detection and homing device, used in Allied nightfighters to track German night fighters equipped with the earlier UHF-band BC and C-1 versions of the Lichtenstein radar during World War II....
, which picked up the radar impulses given out by the German night fighter's' Lichtenstein AI radar. The Beaufighters were also equipped with Mk IV radar.
Serrate operations started in June 1943. Braham had immediate success, destroying an Bf 110
Messerschmitt Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann Göring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten...
over Holland. When Braham left No 141 Squadron in October 1943 the squadron had destroyed 14 enemy aircraft using Serrate. His own score on Serrate operations was 7 destroyed, bringing his total to 20. Several of the Luftwaffe pilots he shot down were Experten, with numerous night kills to their credit; 4./NJG 1 lost both Fw. Krafft (15 claims) killed and Fw. Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke
Heinz Vinke was a German Luftwaffe night fighter ace and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves during World War II...
(53 claims) (bailed out; his crew was killed) on 17 August while Hpt. August Geiger
August Geiger
August Geiger was one of the most prominent American architects in South Florida from 1905 to the late 1940s. He experimented in Mission, Neo-Renaissance and Art Deco architecture, but is most noted for his works in the Mediterranean Revival style.-Life:Geiger was born in New Haven, Connecticut,...
(IV/NJG 1; 53 claims) was shot down and drowned on 29 September. Braham was awarded the first bar to his DSO on 24 September 1943.
Prisoner of war
Against his wishes Wg Cdr Braham was rested from operations and posted from No 141 Squadron on 1 October 1943. He took a staff course at the Staff College, CamberleyCamberley
Camberley is a town in Surrey, England, situated 31 miles southwest of central London, in the corridor between the M3 and M4 motorways. The town lies close to the borders of both Hampshire and Berkshire; the boundaries intersect on the western edge of the town where all three counties...
from October 1943 until February 1944. He was then posted as 'Wing Commander Night Operations ' at HQ No. 2 Group RAF
No. 2 Group RAF
Number 2 Group is a Group of the Royal Air Force which was first activated in 1918, served from 1918–20, from 1936 through the Second World War to 1947, from 1948 to 1958, from 1993 to 1996, was reactivated in 2000, and is today part of Air Command....
. Although a Staff Officer at HQ, Braham was able, with persistence, to persuade his AOC, Air Vice Marshal Basil Embry
Basil Embry
Air Chief Marshal Sir Basil Edward Embry GCB, KBE, DSO & Three Bars, DFC, AFC, RAF, was a senior Royal Air Force commander...
to allow him to 'free-lance' using a Mosquito FBVI
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
loaned from one of the various squadrons in the group. On 12 May Braham's Mosquito was hit by both anti-aircraft fire and fire from a Bf 109 over Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Braham and Gregory bailed out 70 miles from the English coast, being hauled out of the water by Air-Sea Rescue. (Braham 1961, pp. 234–239)
His last operation of the war was a lone daylight 'Ranger' operation over Denmark and north Germany on 25 June 1944. Attacked by two Focke-Wulf Fw 190
Focke-Wulf Fw 190
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger was a German Second World War single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s. Powered by a radial engine, the 190 had ample power and was able to lift larger loads than its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109...
's of Jagdgeschwader 1
Jagdgeschwader 1 (World War 2)
Jagdgeschwader 1 was a German World War II fighter unit or "wing" which used the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 aircraft, between 1940–1944. The name of the unit derives from Jagd, meaning "hunt" and Geschwader, meaning "wing"...
over Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, he managed to crash land his crippled plane on a sandstrip by the coast and was captured. One of the German pilots (Robert Spreckles) insisted on meeting him and the two became friends after the war. By the time he was shot down Braham had carried out 15 'Ranger' operations over France, Denmark and Germany, during which he destroyed another 9 enemy aircraft.
Postwar career
In July 1945 W/C Braham joined the Night Fighter Development Wing of the Central Fighter EstablishmentCentral Fighter Establishment
The Central Fighter Establishment was a Royal Air Force formation that dealt with the development Fighter aircraft tactics. It also tested new fighter aircraft and equipment. It also dealt with the training of squadron and flight commanders. It was formed on 1 October 1944 as part of No. 12 Group...
where he tested and developed existing and new night fighting equipment.
There followed a period of two years of non-flying appointments, with HQ Technical Training Command, OC No 2 Wing, No 3 Recruits Centre Padgate and the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
in London. In August 1948, he was posted to command the Fighter Interception Development Squadron and Night Fighter Leader School of the Central Fighter Establishment.
In May 1952 he resigned from the RAF for the second time. He joined the RCAF
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
with the rank of Wing Commander and commanded their first all-weather jet fighter unit based at North Bay, Ontario
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
. Braham left No 3 AW(F)OTU in June 1955 for a staff appointment at Air Force HQ in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, which he held for over two years.
Retirement
He resigned from the Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
in January 1968 and settled in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
In December 1973 he suddenly became ill and died in hospital from a brain tumour on 7 February 1974 at the age of 53. He left a widow and 3 sons.
Military Awards
- Belgian Order of the CrownOrder of the Crown (Belgium)The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
with Palm - Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm
- Air Force CrossAir Force Cross (United Kingdom)The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
- Distinguished Service OrderDistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
s with 2 BarsMedal barA medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... - Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
es with 2 BarsMedal barA medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the... - Canadian Forces DecorationCanadian Forces DecorationThe Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...