Michael Casano
Encyclopedia
Michael Peter Casano MC
(1913–2006) was a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force
.
Casano was born on June 7, 1913 at Folkestone
and educated at Dover College
. Having failed the entrance examination to the RAF College, Cranwell he joined the East Kent Regiment but bought himself out to gain a commission in the RAF three years later.
Casano learned to fly in Egypt but a serious accident (leading to a fractured skull) meant that he was posted onto armoured cars. He led the RAF’s No 2 Armoured Car company during the Battle of Alamein. It was with this company during the fighting over the Fallujah Plain near Baghdad in the summer of 1941 that Casano won his MC. The citation reads:
"The successes of the 'HAB' force, both in Iraq and Syria, were largely due to this officer; he operated virtually alone, and his zeal and devotion to duty deserves the highest praise. He displayed the greatest gallantry."
On March 6, 1943 Casano was badly wounded in a German air attack and whilst recovering he met Major-General Sir John Glubb (Glubb Pasha); the outcome of this meeting was he joined Sir John in the Arab Legion
to take command of their armoured cars.
Michael Casano continued to serve in the RAF after the war until 1958 when he became a driving instructor in Kent. He was a notable figure in Folkestone (and a keen member of the Folkestone Rowing Club) and a plaque to his memory was placed on the (then) newly restored Bandstand on the Leas in 2006 shortly after he died.
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1913–2006) was a Squadron Leader 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...
.
Casano was born on June 7, 1913 at Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
and educated at Dover College
Dover College
Dover College is a co-educational independent school in Dover in southeast England. It was founded in 1871, and takes both day pupils and boarders....
. Having failed the entrance examination to the RAF College, Cranwell he joined the East Kent Regiment but bought himself out to gain a commission in the RAF three years later.
Casano learned to fly in Egypt but a serious accident (leading to a fractured skull) meant that he was posted onto armoured cars. He led the RAF’s No 2 Armoured Car company during the Battle of Alamein. It was with this company during the fighting over the Fallujah Plain near Baghdad in the summer of 1941 that Casano won his MC. The citation reads:
"The successes of the 'HAB' force, both in Iraq and Syria, were largely due to this officer; he operated virtually alone, and his zeal and devotion to duty deserves the highest praise. He displayed the greatest gallantry."
On March 6, 1943 Casano was badly wounded in a German air attack and whilst recovering he met Major-General Sir John Glubb (Glubb Pasha); the outcome of this meeting was he joined Sir John in the Arab Legion
Arab Legion
The Arab Legion was the regular army of Transjordan and then Jordan in the early part of the 20th century.-Creation:...
to take command of their armoured cars.
Michael Casano continued to serve in the RAF after the war until 1958 when he became a driving instructor in Kent. He was a notable figure in Folkestone (and a keen member of the Folkestone Rowing Club) and a plaque to his memory was placed on the (then) newly restored Bandstand on the Leas in 2006 shortly after he died.