The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A D Meredith

Arthur Douglas Meredith was born on 20th May 1914 in Leamington Spa and was working as a commercial traveller for his father's confectionery business when he joined the RAFVR in May 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

He trained at 9 E&RFTS Ansty on Avro Cadets and Hawker Harts.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he was posted to 8 FTS Montrose on 19th December 1939. After completing the course there he joined 17 Squadron at Hawkinge on 10th May 1940.

Above: he married in September 1939.

With no Hurricane experience, Meredith went to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 27th May to convert to them, after which he was posted to No. 1 RAF Depot Uxbridge on 6th June 1940 for onward posting to France.

He joined No. 1 Squadron in France on 7th June. He then joined a detachment of 242 Squadron in France on 13th June. The detachment was withdrawn to Church Fenton on the 16th.

Meredith moved to 141 Squadron at Grangemouth on 10th August 1940.

Commissioned in March 1941, he destroyed a He111 at night on 6th May at Cresswell, Northumberland, flying in a Defiant from Acklington with Sgt. WH Mott as his gunner.

Meredith remained with the squadron until 25th June 1942 when he was posted to 1530 (BAT) Flight at Hunsdon as an instructor.

He was awarded the AFC (gazetted 8th June 1944).

From 4th September 1944 to 18th June 1945 Meredith was on anti-aircraft co-operation duties, serving with 288, 597 and 598 Squadrons.

He was released on 16th October 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died in February 2002 in Warwickshire.