The Airmen's Stories - P/O D O Hobbis

Dudley Ormston Hobbis was born in Tynemouth, Northumberland on 25th April 1910, the son of Charles and Adeleine Hobbis.

He was educated at Durham School and Rutherford Technical College and was a well-known amateur tennis player.

He was awarded Aero Certificate 13527 at the Border Flying Club, Carlisle on 15th January 1936. His occupation was recorded as 'Engineer' though it is known that he was proprietor of a garage in Newcastle.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission in July 1939 and, after training at 12 FTS, he was posted to 219 Squadron at Catterick on 13th July 1940, serving with it throughout the Battle of Britain. He was still serving with 219 when it converted to Beaufighters for a night-fighting role.

He shot down an enemy aircraft off Portsmouth on 27th April 1941 and a Ju88 in the Brighton area on 1st June 1941. A fortnight later he made his third night kill, a He111 four miles east of Winchelsea.

Hobbis was awarded the DFC (gazetted 8th July 1941) as a Flying Officer with 219. His radar operator, Sgt. WT Clark, was awarded the DFM.

From May to September 1942 Hobbis commanded 530 Squadron, a Turbinlite Havoc unit at Hunsdon. In April 1943 he joined 488 Squadron at Ayr as 'A' Flight Commander.

Above: Hobbis is seated (centre), others unknown.

He married Robina Jean Henderson in July 1943 in Tynemouth, Northumberland.

On 25th November 1943 Hobbis, airborne from Bradwell Bay in Mosquito NF XIII HK423 radioed that his port engine was on fire and that he had ordered his navigator to bale out. It is believed that he also baled out but his body was never recovered, although that of his navigator, P/O OLR Hills, was washed ashore some months later.

Hobbis was 33 and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 118. He was a Squadron Leader at the time of his death.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.