The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. J C Boulter

John Clifford Boulter was born on 1st July 1912 in Barnes, London, the son of John Stanley and Else Eugene Boulter of Ramornie, Ladybank, Fife. He was educated in Switzerland.

Boulter was awarded Aero Certificate 10005 at Hanworth Club on 8th July 1931.

He was commissioned in the RAFO in March 1933 but relinquished his commission in April 1936 on being granted a short service commission in the RAF. He went to 7 FTS Peterborough on 18th April and was posted to No. 1 Squadron at Tangmere on 25th October.

Boulter moved to 72 Squadron at Church Fenton at its reformation on 23rd March 1937. In September 1939 Boulter joined 603 Squadron at Turnhouse.

On 16th October he fired on a He111 east of Aberdour.

In March 1940 he was in hospital after his aircraft was involved in a taxiing accident with an Oxford.

On 29th August Boulter claimed a Me109 destroyed, afterwards returning to Hornchurch slightly wounded. On 11th September he damaged a He111, on the 14th destroyed a Me109, on the 17th shared in the destruction of another, on the 23rd destroyed one and on the 30th damaged another.

Boulter claimed Me109s probably destroyed on 2nd and 12th October, one shot down on 17th November and a Fiat CR42 probably destroyed over the Channel on the 23rd.

His portrait was done by Cuthbert Orde in February 1941 (below).

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 6th December 1940).

Boulter was involved in an accident at RAF Drem on 17th February 1941. His Spitfire IIA P7597, was struck by a Hurricane as he was about to take off. He was 28.

He died later from his injuries and is buried in Dirleton Cemetery, East Lothian.

Above image courtesy of gourdongirl at photobucket.com.

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His brother Sgt. Hugh Herman Boulter was killed on 13th August 1940 whilst flying Wellington I L4387 of 11 OTU which burst into flames after the aircraft swung on take off and collided with another. He is buried in Bassingbourn Cemetery.

Also lost were:

F/O FAH Lambart
Sgt. DL Jones
Sgt. PBF Pryke
Sgt. DO Rewa
Sgt. S Robinson