The Airmen's Stories - P/O D T Jay

Dudley Trevor Jay was born in London on 16th May 1921, the son of David Sydney Cecil Jay (1894-1965) and Vera Lucille Jay (nee Pinnock 1889-1972).

He was educated at Cranbrook School and joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1939. He arrived at 11 Group Pool on 20th November 1939.

After converting to Hurricanes he went to No. 2 Ferry Pilot Pool on 21st December as a reserve for France. He joined 607 Squadron there in early 1940 and on 10th May shared in destroying a He111 of 6/KG27.

On the 11th he shared a He111 of 8/KG54 and another of 1/LG1. In this engagement Jay, flying P2571 AF*G, was wounded by return fire.

He joined 87 Squadron at Church Fenton in June. On 11th July he claimed a Me110 destroyed, on the 13th shared a Ju88 and on the 15th destroyed two Ju87s and a Me109. On this day he was damaged by Me109s over Portland and he made a forced-landing at Field Barn Farm, Radipole, in Hurricane R2687.

Jay damaged an unidentified enemy aircraft during the night of 4th/5th September and shared a probable He111 on the 15th.

He collided with F/O JR Cock during a routine patrol on 24th October 1940 and baled out but may have struck the aircraft as he did so because he did not pull his ripcord and was killed. His Hurricane, P3404, crashed and burned out.

Jay was awarded the DFC (gazetted 22nd October 1940), being then credited with eight enemy aircraft destroyed and several more damaged.

Jay was 19 and is buried in Exeter High Cemetery.