The Airmen's Stories - Sub/Lt. (FAA) H W Beggs

Henry William Beggs joined the RAF as a candidate for a short service commission in November 1936. He was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer, completed his training and was posted to 115 (Bomber) Squadron on 4th September 4 1937. For reasons unknown reason Beggs' commission was terminated on 28th December 1937.

Beggs joined the Fleet Air Arm in May 1939. He was attached to the RAF on 15th June 1940, converted to Hurricanes and joined 151 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 1st July. He destroyed a Me109 of 4/JG 52 over Kent on 14th August. The next day Beggs was shot down, in Hurricane P3605, in combat with Me109’s over Dover and crashed at Shorncliffe, wounded.

He returned to the FAA shortly afterwards. In January 1942 Beggs was posted to 883 Squadron (FAA) and he was lost when HMS 'Avenger' was sunk by a U-boat on 15th November 1942 while returning to the Clyde from the landings in North Africa.

He was 25 is remembered on the Lee-on-Solent FAA Memorial.