The Airmen's Stories - P/O P C Lindsey

Patrick Chaloner Lindsey was born in Daresbury, Cheshire on 16th July 1920, the son of Rev. Charles Edward Chaloner Lindsey OBE (1865-1956) and Mary Ellen Lindsey (nee Williams).

Rev. Lindsey had been a 'rough-rider' in Texas, USA before being ordained in 1889 and had served as chaplain to the Honourable Artillery Company in WW1.

His firstborn, Robert Chaloner Lindsey-Brabazon, was born in 1891. He inherited Rath House in Ireland aged 11, the Brabazon suffix to his name was a condition of the inheritance. He was awarded a MC and two MiDs serving with the 2nd Battalion Welch Regiment in WW1.

However this damaged his health and he died from influenza and pneumonia in 1929.

PC Lindsey He was at St John's School, Leatherhead from 1934 to 1937 and was a member of the OTC (photo below).

In early 1938 Lindsey applied for a short service commission in the RAF. He was accepted and began his initial training course at No. 1 E&RTS Hatfield on 27th June. Lindsey went to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge on 20th August for a short induction course, after which he was posted to 2 FTS Brize Norton on 3rd September.

He was awarded his wings on 12th December 1938 and on completion of the course went to 2 AOS on 15th April 1939, as a staff pilot. On 17th August Lindsey was pilot of one of three aircraft involved in a mid-air collision near Berwick-on-Tweed. When he realized that one of his passengers had no parachute Lindsey, in spite of head injuries and compound fractures of one leg, managed to land the aircraft safely.

He was admitted to Berwick Infirmary, transferred to the RAF Hospital at Halton on 23rd October and went to convalesce at Torquay five days later. For his coolness and courage, Lindsey received a letter of appreciation from the Air Council.

Fit again, he reported to No. 1 Depot, Uxbridge on 22nd February 1940 and was placed on temporary administrative duties. On 12th March he joined 29 Squadron at Debden. He went to 5 OTU Aston Down on the 23rd and, after converting to Hurricanes, Lindsey was posted to 601 Squadron at Tangmere on 20th April.

He claimed a Me110 destroyed on 11th July.

In an action over the Channel on the 26th Lindsey was shot down, it is thought by Oberleutenant Dobislav of III/JG27, two miles south of St. Catherine's Point. His Hurricane, P2753, crashed into the Channel and he was reported 'Missing'.

Lindsey's body was washed ashore on 21st September 1940 at Pointe de la Creche on the French coast and he is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

He was 20 years old.

Below: a sketch by a squadron colleague may refer to the shooting of crows on the airfield.