The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. D K Parker

Denis Keith Parker was born on 4th April 1917 and joined the RAFVR in June 1939. He was called to full-time service at the outbreak of war. After completing his training and converting to Spitfires at 7 OTU Hawarden, he joined 616 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey on 20th September 1940.

He moved to 66 Squadron at Gravesend on 20th October.

On 30th January 1941 Parker was posted to 57 OTU Hawarden as an instructor. He left there on an overseas posting on 23rd October 1941 and landed at Aden on 4th January 1942.

Parker joined 229 Squadron in the Western Desert and went with it to Malta in March 1942. In May he was transferred to 185 Squadron at Hal Far and was commissioned in July.

Parker returned to the UK in August 1942 and was posted to 53 OTU Llandow as an instructor on Spitfires. He went to CFS Montrose for a course in April 1943 and from August onwards he was training Free French pilots in intermediate and advanced flying up to OTU Standard.

He was released from the RAF in November 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant. Parker served as an instructor in the RAFVR until 21st September 1950.

He died in October 1998 in Cardiff.