RCAF pilots in RAF WWII

[jhockin]

As suggested by Thistledown/Rex.

As mentioned in a previous post, I had identical twin uncles, who joined the RCAF, and flew Spitfires, mostly in RAF squadrons. Here is A wee bit about them: ( note: this is from a spitfire website, and the text is out of date, as both my Uncle Doug and his wife have since died)



"Identical Twins F/O Bruce and Douglas Warren of Nanton Alberta, Canada pictured in September 1942 alongside Doug’s Spitfire Mk. V of No. 165 Squadron RAF. The Warren twins joined the RCAF on March 14, 1941. Assigned to 165 Squadron RAF in the Spring on 1942, they often flew as each others’ wingman. Warrens were re-assigned to No. 66 Squadron RAF in early July of 1944.

The Warren twins were not only identical; they kept calling each other “Duke” and this made it rather difficult for their Squadron mates to determine who was who. The ground crews came with an idea of distinguishing them by mark numbers. Bruce was nicknamed Duke Mk I and his Spitfire was coded SK-M serial AR403. Douglas was Duke Mk II, his Spitfire coded SK-F with serial BM367. Both Spitfires carried the nicknames painted just below the windscreen on the port side, as shown on the photo.

Both Warren twins survived the Second World War and went on to post-war careers in the RCAF. Sadly, Bruce was killed in April 1951 while test-flying the Canadian all weather fighter CF-100. Douglas went on to fly Sabre jets in Korea with the USAF and remained in the RCAF until he retired in the rank of Wing Commander. He lives with his wife Melba in Comox, British Columbia.

The Warren twins were both awarded the DFC on the 23rd of March 1945 at Buckingham Palace. At the Investiture HM King George VI said he did not remember ever awarding the DFC to a set of twins."

[mookien]

"Thanks" to your uncles for their service to free people everywhere. What a pair they must have made! Two great names by the way. I'll remember them in my prayers.

John

[Rick Y]

A family of which you have every right to be proud!

[GrainReaper]

Freedom itself owes it's existence to those willing to fight for it, for that I am grateful.

And I can just imagine the shenannanigans twins could get into whilst enlisted, there must be stories on the hearths of fellow veterans!

[Riverkilt]

Spent a summer in Comox with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. My father was a Flying Sgt. with the RAF in 1942. Flew Hurricanes mostly, a few Spits.

You may wish to consider an RAF tartan kilt or an RCAF tartan kilt in their honor. Or one of each!

What Price Glory also carries replica RAF Battlejackets. Had one done up in honor of my father, and to go with the RAF tartan kilt...back when I was thinner...

[jhockin]

[QUOTE=Riverkilt;1220329]Spent a summer in Comox with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. My father was a Flying Sgt. with the RAF in 1942. Flew Hurricanes mostly, a few Spits.

You may wish to consider an RAF tartan kilt or an RCAF tartan kilt in their honor. "

Already did: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=67848

[Jock Scot]

Thank you so much for making me aware of these two brave men.

[cessna152towser]

Thanks to your uncles for their services.
My dad served with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Gananoque, Ontario, and later at Penhold, Alberta, as a mechanic on the training planes from 1941 to 1943.
My late wife Ann had a relative from Toronto who volunteered to serve with the RAF during World War 2, as his parents were from Scotland. Sadly he was shot down and killed during 1942 off the coast of Lorient, in occupied France, while piloting a Hampden which was taking part in a mine laying mission.

[planemaker]

That is awesome. My dad also flew in the RCAF, first in Canada as part of the BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) then eventually Spitfires in England.

Cheers!

Paul
Captain Retired, RCAF

[Tobus]

I love WWII history, and this one is especially cool to me because I'm a twin (though we are fraternal twins, not identical). Being a twin is very different than being a single child, and there is a relationship there that very few people will ever understand. Twins tend to think alike in many ways, and can tell what the other is thinking without asking. I can certainly see why they chose to join together and fight together. They must have been a dynamic and effective pair when flying as wingmen.

What a great piece of family history!