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 Here is A wee bit about them: ( note: this is from a spitfire website, and the text is out of date, as both my Uncle Doug and his wife have since died)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."