The Airmen's Stories - P/O R R Hutley

Richard Ralph Hutley was born on 11th December 1917 in Orsett, Suffolk, the son of Ralph Hutley (1879-1961) and Adelaide May Seymour Hutley (nee Hawkins 1894-1956). His father was a farmer.

Hutley joined the RAFVR about November 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on 1st September 1939, completed his training and was commisioned. His first posting was No.1 School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum.

With Fighter Command needing to replace its losses he was then posted to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 4th September 1940 with a further spell at 5 OTU to convert to Hurricanes. On 21st September he was posted to 32 Squadron at Acklington, moving to 213 Squadron at Tangmere on 26th October.

On the 29th he was shot down in combat off Selsey Bill in Hurricane V7622 and baled out into the sea. He was picked up by the Selsey lifeboat but they could not revive him.

Hutley was 22 and is buried in Tangmere (St. Andrew) churchyard.