The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J Farthing

John Farthing was born on 19th January 1912 at Hendon and attended Brentwood Grammar School. He joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice in January 1928 and passed out in December 1930 as a Metal Rigger. He later applied for pilot training and was selected.

Farthing joined 235 Squadron on 2nd June 1940. He flew operational sorties on 14th, 15th and 18th July.

He was posted to A&AEE Boscombe Down on 21st July 1940 before going on to the Gunnery Research Unit at Exeter on 20th August 1940.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was made an MBE (gazetted 1st January 1946) as a Warrant Officer. The citation said it was for services rendered in Jui, West Africa.

Farthing died in March 1978 in Tonbridge, Kent.