The Airmen's Stories - P/O D N Hookway

Douglas Newcombe Hookway was born on 4th November 1920 in New Malden and joined the RAFVR in February 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

He carried out his elementary flying training at 5 E&RFTS Hanworth. Called up at the outbreak of war, he was posted to 7 EFTS Desford in November to complete his training.

Hookway moved on to 10 FTS Ternhill for No. 19 Course which ran from 11th April to 24th July 1940. On completion of the course he went to No. 1 School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum.

The shortage of fighter pilots led to Hookway being posted to 7 OTU Hawarden on 22nd August. After converting to Spitfires he was posted to 234 Squadron at St. Eval on 7th September 1940 and flew his first operational sortie on the 19th.

On 22nd March 1941 he went to CFS Upavon for an instructors course and was posted in May to 9 FTS Hullavington. In June Hookway moved to 53 OTU at Heston and in October he went to 28 EFTS at Pendeford.

Apart from six months instructing at 7 EFTS Desford from July 1942 to January 1943, Hookway remained at Pendeford until he was released from the RAF in January 1946 as a Squadron Leader.

He may have gone into civil aviation as he was awarded Aero Certificate 21001 on 8th March 1946.

He was awarded the AFC (gazetted 1st January 1946) and was CFI during his final year at 28 EFTS.

He died on 28th September 2007 at Ullingswick, Herefordshire.