Battle of Britain London Monument – Sgt. W R K Hughes THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN LONDON MONUMENT
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conflict was so much owed
by so many to so few."
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Privacy Statement The Airmen’s Stories – Sgt. W R K Hughes
William Robert Kent Hughes was born in Northampton and was educated at St Matthews School and Bective Secondary Modern School. He joined the RAFVR in early Spring 1939 as an Airman u/t WOp/AG and was called up on 27th August 1939.
He went to Hamble on a wireless course on 4th March 1940 and to Jurby on a gunnery course. Hughes was posted to 5 OTU Aston Down on 20th July to convert to Blenheims.
On 17th August 1940 he joined 23 Squadron at Wittering. Hughes was posted away to 9 Squadron on 16th November but went instead 149 Squadron at Mildenhall on the 21st to fly in Wellingtons. On 11th March 1941 Hughes went to Malta to join 148 Squadron at Luqa but was posted on to Egypt and joined 70 Squadron at Kabrit on 2nd April.
When his tour was completed he returned to the UK in early 1942, went to 23 OTU Pershore in April and joined 12 Squadron at Binbrook on 27th July. Commissioned from Warrant Officer in November 1942, Hughes completed his second tour and was awarded the DFC (gazetted 12th March 1943).
In early March 1943 he went to 28 OTU Wymeswold as an instructor. He was posted to CGS Sutton Bridge for a Gunnery Leaders course on 15th June after which he moved to 7 AGS Bishopscourt, Northern Ireland as Gunnery Leader. On 18th January 1944 Hughes went to 50 Squadron at Skellingthorpe on liason duties.
He was released from the RAF in March 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.
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