The Airmen's Stories - W/Cdr. A D Farquhar

Andrew Douglas Farquhar was born on 17th August 1905 at Bridge of Weir, he went on to be a stockbroker in Glasgow.

He was awarded Aero certificate 8184 on 1st August 1927, he had joined 602 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force earlier that year. He took command of the squadron in 1939 and was called for full-time service on 24th August 1939.

On 16th October Farquhar shared in the destruction of a He111 and damaged another, part of an enemy force attacking naval vessels in the Firth of Forth. On patrol on 9th February 1940 Farquhar engaged a He111 twenty miles out to sea and put both its engines out of action. The pilot turned landwards and crash-landed near North Berwick.

On 22nd February Farquhar shared in shooting down a He111 at Coldingham, Berwickshire. He followed it down and, seeing that the enemy crew were about to set their aircraft on fire, he landed in the same field. Unfortunately his Spitfire cartwheeled and went on to its back and Farquhar was pulled out by the Germans he had just shot down.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 1st March 1940), promoted to Wing Commander and posted to RAF Martlesham Heath to take command there.

Whilst there he flew sorties with 257 Squadron on 1st and 18th September thus qualifying for the Battle of Britain clasp. He also shared in the destruction of two Ju87s on 8th November 1940 whilst flying with 17 Squadron.

On 15th March 1941 Farquhar became Wing Commander Flying at the Hornchurch Wing. He was posted away on 2nd June to command the Training Wing at 53 OTU Heston.

Farquhar was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Group Captain. He later went to South Africa and became a farmer. He died there on 12th March 1964.

His portrait was made by Thomas C Dugdale ARA (below).