The Airmen's Stories - P/O F H R Baraldi

Ferdinand Henry Raphael Baraldi was born on 15th March 1913. He was a member of the RAFVR from July 1939 and was called up in the following September.

After attending an ITW he was training at No. 1 EFTS Hatfield from 4th December 1939 until 10th May 1940. He joined 609 Squadron at Middle Wallop in late October.

In August 1942 Baraldi was posted to 111 Squadron as a Flight Commander. He claimed a Do217 over Dieppe on the 19th August assault.

In October he went with the squadron to Gibraltar and then on to North Africa, arriving on 11th November. He damaged a Ju88 east of Bone on 18th November.

He was posted away from 111 on 11th January 1943, having had some problems with his vision. He was then 30 years old.

His subsequent service is undocumented but it is known that Baraldi survived the war and was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 20th July 1988.