The Airmen's Stories - P/O C W W Darwin

Christopher William Wharton Darwin, of Elston, Nottinghamshire was born on July 30th 1918, the son of Major CJW Darwin who formed and commanded 87 Squadron at Upavon on September 1st 1917. He was educated at Winchester College and Ecole Lemania, Lausanne. In March 1939 Darwin joined the RAF on a short service commission. He arrived at 11 Group Pool, St Athan on November 20th. After converting to Hurricanes, he joined 87 Squadron in France in late December and served with it in the Battle of Britain. In 1942 Darwin was with 274 Squadron in the Western Desert. On August 7th he was shot down by two Me109’s. Darwin baled out but was dead when picked up. He is buried in the Alamein War Cemetery.

Photographs courtesy of Colonel C R Romberg RA, British Embassy Cairo