Stanley Connors
Stanley Connors | |
---|---|
Born | Second World War
| 8 April 1912
Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Stanley Connors, DFC & Bar (8 April 1912 – 18 August 1940) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least twelve aircraft.
Born in Calcutta in British India, Connors joined the RAF in 1937 having previously served with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and its precursor, the Special Reserve of the RAF. He was posted to No. 111 Squadron in June 1938, and flew Hawker Hurricane fighters. During the Battle of France, he shot down six German aircraft in the space of two days, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He destroyed several more aircraft during the subsequent Battle of Britain, but was shot down and killed immediately after claiming his final aerial victory on what is now known as The Hardest Day.
Early life
Stanley Dudley Pierce Connors was born at
Connors, who was nicknamed 'Conny',
Second World War
Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, No. 111 Squadron moved north, initially to
This officer showed outstanding fighting ability and gallantry when, during two consecutive days in May, 1940, whilst greatly outnumbered, he shot down three Heinkel 111s, two Junkers 88s and one Messerschmitt 109.
— London Gazette, No. 34860, 31 May 1940[8]
At the end of the month and into early June, No. 111 Squadron flew in support of
Battle of Britain
Following a period of rest so it could train up replacement pilots, No. 111 Squadron, now based at
On 18 August, on what became known as
Published on 6 September, the citation, which noted that he had since been killed in action, read:This officer has led his flight in all its operations against enemy with great skill and courage; In a week of almost continuous action he shot down at least four enemy aircraft, bringing his total successes to twelve.
— London Gazette, No. 34940, 6 September 1940[9]
Connors, who was survived by his wife Marjorie, was buried in North Berwick Cemetery.[2] At the time of his death, Connors was credited with having shot down twelve German aircraft, with another two unconfirmed. He also had a shared in one unconfirmed aerial victory. In addition, he was credited with damaging four aircraft.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Shores & Williams 1994, pp. 187–188.
- ^ a b "Flight Lieutenant Stanley Dudley Pierce Connors". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d Wynn 2015, p. 98.
- ^ a b Bungay 2015, pp. 225–227.
- ^ Rawlings 1976, p. 453.
- ^ a b c d Rawlings 1976, pp. 236–238.
- ^ "No. 34613". The London Gazette. 4 April 1939. p. 2262.
- ^ "No. 34860". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1940. p. 3253.
- ^ "No. 34940". The London Gazette. 6 September 1940. p. 5407.
References
- Bungay, Stephen (2015) [2000]. The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain. London, United Kingdom: Aurum Press. ISBN 978-1-78131-495-1.
- Rawlings, John (1976). Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: MacDonald & James. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-8-9869-7000.
- Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). Men of the Battle of Britain: A Biographical Directory of the Few. Barnsley: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-39901-465-6.