The Airmen's Stories - W/Cdr. R K Hamblin

Richard Kaye Hamblin was born on 16th December 1906 in India but returned when young to Hampshire. He was educated at Rugby School and entered the RAF College Cranwell in September 1924.

On graduation he was commissioned and joined 56 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 30th July 1926. He was sent on a course to the Electrical and Wireless School Cranwell on 28th April 1930.

Hamblin went to 26 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Catterick on 21st July 1931 and on 4th October 1932 he was posted to 31 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Quetta.

He moved to 5 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Chakala, Rawalpindi on 20th July 1935.

After returning to the UK Hamblin was given command of 142 Squadron at Andover. He received a Mention in Despatches (gazetted 18th February 1938).

He went on a course at the Army Staff College Camberley on 23rd January 1939.

Hamblin joined the Air Staff of 60 (Signals) Group on 1st March 1940 at its formation. He was still serving with it in November 1940.

During the Battle of Britain Hamblin made one operational sortie with 17 Squadron in the afternoon of 29th October 1940, flying from Martlesham Heath, thus qualifying him for the Battle of Britain clasp.

He married Elizabeth Catherine Harwyse Bond on 12th November 1942 at Durham Cathedral.

Hamblin was made a CBE (gazetted 1st January 1946) and retired from the RAF on 25th May 1956 as an Air Commodore.

He died on 30th August 1988 in Hampshire.