The Airmen's Stories - F/O D G Clift

Douglas Gerald Clift was born on 15th March 1919 and joined the RAF on a short service commission, beginning his training at 5 E&RFTS on 23rd January 1939.

He completed his training at 11 FTS Shawbury and arrived at 11 Group Pool St. Athan on 24th October 1939.

After converting to Hurricanes he joined 79 Squadron at Manston on 17th November.

On 10th May the squadron went to France. On the 16th Clift shared a Fw189 north of Gembloux and on the 17th he shared a Do17. The squadron returned to Biggin Hill on the 20th.

Clift destroyed a Me110 over Dunkirk on 27th May. On 15th August 1940 he claimed a Me110 destroyed, on the 30th he shared in the destruction of a He111 and on 1st September he probably destroyed a Me110. His final victory with 79 was on 24th March 1941 when he probably destroyed a He111.

Clift was posted to CFS Upavon in July 1941 for an instructors course.

In December 1941 he married Joyce Tyler.

He later volunteered for the MSFU and served with it until October 1942. He remained on flying duties for the rest of the war, finishing up in South-East Asia with the Indian Air Force.

After the war Clift remained in the RAF, serving with 34 Squadron until its disbandment in August 1947. He went later to Germany and Singapore, spent some years at the Royal Radar Fstablishment at Malvern and then spent a year as adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air Force.

His last posting was to West Drayton on the 'Linesman' project.

Clift retired on 2nd July 1974 as a Squadron Leader.

He died on 31st December 2008.