Denis Crowley-Milling
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Sir Denis Crowley-Milling KCB
, CBE
, DSO
, DFC
& Bar
, AE
(22 March 1919–1 December 1996) was a Second World War fighter pilot and later an air officer in the Royal Air Force
.
as a Sergeant pilot. Originally flying the Gloster Gladiator
biplane the squadron converted to the new Hawker Hurricane
monoplane fighter. In April 1940 after operational training he was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Pilot Officer and posted back to 615 Sqn. In June 1940 he was posted to 242 Squadron
and flew during the Battle of Britain
, one of The Few
.
Using his experience as Rolls-Royce when a number of squadron aircraft became separated from their groundcrew in France, he showed the other pilots how to service the aircraft and they departed just before the advancing German tanks.
The squadron moved to RAF Coltishall
and Crowley-Milling flew as No. 2 to the new commanding officer Douglas Bader
.
On the 13 June 1941 he became a flight commander on 610 Squadron
. On 21 August 1941 he was shot down over France while escorting Stirling bombers
on a raid to Lille, but with the help of the French Resistance he evaded capture. He became ill with paratyphoid in Spain and was repatriated back to Britain where he re-joined his squadron.
He was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader in September 1942 and given command of 181 Squadron
, who were operating the Hawker Typhoon
in the fighter-bomber role from RAF Duxford. With another promotion to Acting Wing Commander he took command of 121 Wing from June 1943 for four months. In October 1943 he developed problems with his eyesight which saw he removed from operational flying and he filled a number of staff appointments until the end of the war.
During his operational flying Crowley-Milling had four confirmed kills and two shared as destroyed.
in Palestine with the Hawker Tempest. He gained more promotions and a number of staff positions, including command of RAF Leconfield
from 1962 to 1964, RAF Hong Kong from 1964 to 1966, No. 38 Group RAF
from 1970 to 1972 and No. 46 Group RAF from 1973 to 1974.
for the next six years and Founder Chairman (later Vice Patron) of the International Air Tattoo
. From 1979 to 1985 he was a Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
, then Registrar and Secretary of the Order of the Bath until 1990. In 1992, he was appointed Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. He was actively involved with many charities including the Not Forgotten Association and his old friend's Douglas Bader Foundation when Bader died. He died on 1 December 1996 in London.
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Denis Crowley-Milling KCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
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
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...
& Bar
Medal bar
A 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...
, AE
Air Efficiency Award
The Air Efficiency award, abbreviated to AE when placed after a holder's name, was a United Kingdom honour given for ten years' efficient service in the Reserve Air Forces of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Empire. Unlike other long service and meritorious conduct awards, both officers and...
(22 March 1919–1 December 1996) was a Second World War fighter pilot and later an air officer in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
Second World War
Originally a Rolls-Royce apprentice he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he was mobilised in 1937 as trainee pilot and was posted to 615 SqnNo. 615 Squadron RAF
No. 615 Squadron was a unit of the British Auxiliary Air Force and later the Royal Auxiliary Air Force between 1937 and 1957.-Formation and early years:...
as a Sergeant pilot. Originally flying the Gloster Gladiator
Gloster Gladiator
The Gloster Gladiator was a British-built biplane fighter. It was used by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and was exported to a number of other air forces during the late 1930s. It was the RAF's last biplane fighter aircraft and was rendered obsolete by newer monoplane designs even as it...
biplane the squadron converted to the new 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...
monoplane fighter. In April 1940 after operational training he was commissioned in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Pilot Officer and posted back to 615 Sqn. In June 1940 he was posted to 242 Squadron
No. 242 Squadron RAF
No. 242 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force squadron. It flew in many roles during its active service and it is also known for being the first squadron Douglas Bader commanded.-In World War I:No...
and flew 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...
, one of The Few
The Few
The Few is a term used to describe the Allied airmen of the Royal Air Force who fought the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. It comes from Winston Churchill's phrase "Never, in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few"....
.
Using his experience as Rolls-Royce when a number of squadron aircraft became separated from their groundcrew in France, he showed the other pilots how to service the aircraft and they departed just before the advancing German tanks.
The squadron moved to RAF Coltishall
RAF Coltishall
The former Royal Air Force Station Coltishall, more commonly known as RAF Coltishall , was a Royal Air Force station, a military airbase, North-North-East of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk, East Anglia, from 1938 to 2006....
and Crowley-Milling flew as No. 2 to the new commanding officer Douglas Bader
Douglas Bader
Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, FRAeS, DL was a Royal Air Force fighter ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 20 aerial victories, four shared victories, six probables, one shared probable and 11 enemy aircraft damaged.Bader joined the...
.
On the 13 June 1941 he became a flight commander on 610 Squadron
No. 610 Squadron RAF
No. 610 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was as a Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force, its pilots were initially part timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practicing combat maneuvers. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur...
. On 21 August 1941 he was shot down over France while escorting Stirling bombers
Short Stirling
The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941...
on a raid to Lille, but with the help of the French Resistance he evaded capture. He became ill with paratyphoid in Spain and was repatriated back to Britain where he re-joined his squadron.
He was promoted to Acting Squadron Leader in September 1942 and given command of 181 Squadron
No. 181 Squadron RAF
No. 181 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as a fighter-bomber unit in World War II.-Formation in World War II:The squadron formed on 25 August 1942 at RAF Duxford and was supplied with Hurricanes and Typhoons. It then operated the Typhoons from several locations in the United...
, who were operating the Hawker Typhoon
Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor, and a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, several design problems were encountered, and the Typhoon never completely satisfied...
in the fighter-bomber role from RAF Duxford. With another promotion to Acting Wing Commander he took command of 121 Wing from June 1943 for four months. In October 1943 he developed problems with his eyesight which saw he removed from operational flying and he filled a number of staff appointments until the end of the war.
During his operational flying Crowley-Milling had four confirmed kills and two shared as destroyed.
Post war
With his eye problem improving Crowley-Milling was appointed a permanent commission from the 1 September 1945. With promotion to Squadron Leader in 1947 he was appointed officer commanding 6 SquadronNo. 6 Squadron RAF
No. 6 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 at RAF Leuchars.It was previously equipped with the Jaguar GR.3 in the close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles, and was based at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk until April 2006, moving to RAF Coningsby until...
in Palestine with the Hawker Tempest. He gained more promotions and a number of staff positions, including command of RAF Leconfield
RAF Leconfield
The former RAF Leconfield, or 'Leconfield Camp' was a Royal Air Force airbase in Leconfield , East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The site is now used by the MoD Defence School of Transport Leconfield .-History:...
from 1962 to 1964, RAF Hong Kong from 1964 to 1966, No. 38 Group RAF
No. 38 Group RAF
No 38 Group RAF was formed on 6 November 1943 from nine squadrons as part of Fighter Command. It was finally disbanded on 1 April 2000.-History:...
from 1970 to 1972 and No. 46 Group RAF from 1973 to 1974.
Retirement
He retired at his own request at became Controller of the RAF Benevolent FundRAF Benevolent Fund
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF - regardless of rank - as well as their partners and dependents.They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide...
for the next six years and Founder Chairman (later Vice Patron) of the International Air Tattoo
Royal International Air Tattoo
The Royal International Air Tattoo is the world's largest military air show, held annually over the third weekend in July, usually at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom in support of The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust...
. From 1979 to 1985 he was a Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod is the Gentleman Usher to the Order of the Bath, established in 1725.-Office Holders from 1725:*1725 – ?: Edmund Sawyer*bef. 1763 – aft. 1789: Henry Hill*bef. 1806 – 2 July 1814: Sir Isaac Heard...
, then Registrar and Secretary of the Order of the Bath until 1990. In 1992, he was appointed Master of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. He was actively involved with many charities including the Not Forgotten Association and his old friend's Douglas Bader Foundation when Bader died. He died on 1 December 1996 in London.
Honours and awards
- 11 April 1941 - Pilot Officer Dennis Crowley-Milling (78274), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No.242 Squadron is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (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...
- This officer has participated in numerous engagements against the enemy over a long period and has shown a fine spirit throughout. On one occasion he pursued a Junkers 88 out to sea and, although his aircraft was severely damaged by a cannon shell early in the pursuit, he continued his attack until the enemy aircraft was on fire and disappeared into cloud 40 miles out at sea. He has displayed great courage and initiative, and has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft.
- 29 September 1942 - Flight Lieutenant Dennis Crowley-Milling, DFC (78274), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 610 Squadron is awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross (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...
- Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March, 1941, this officer has completed many more sorties over enemy, occupied territory and has destroyed at least 1 hostile aircraft. This officer; whose courage and skill have set a splendid example, has always displayed outstanding keenness to inflict losses on the enemy.
- 24 December 1943 - Acting Wing Commander Denis Crowley-Milling, DFC (78274), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is awarded the 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...
.
- 1 January 1963 - Group Captain Dennis Crowley-Milling, DSO, DFC, Royal Air Force is appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
.
- 2 June 1973 - Air Marshal Denis Crowley-Milling, CBE, DSO, DFC, Royal Air Force is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)Order of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
.
See also
- List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain
- List of World War II aces from the United Kingdom
- Reach for the Sky, a 1956 film. Crowley-Milling's character was played by Basil Appleby.
External links
- Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling. www.rafweb.org.
- Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling
- BBC - Wales History section - Battle of Britain: Welsh aces
- Obituary: Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling. The Independent. December 10, 1996. Christopher Foxley-Norris.