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The Airmen's Stories - LAC A G Patston

 

Arthur George Patston was born on 25th January 1916 and joined the RAFVR in October 1939 as an Aircrafthand. After completing his training he served in France with the AASF as a ground radio operator. Back in England in June 1940, he volunteered for aircrew duties and went to No. 2 Electrical and Wireless School at RAF Yatesbury for a short radar course.


He joined 604 Squadron at Gravesend on 10th July. During the Battle of Britain Patston flew with the squadron without flying brevet or rank. Eventually he was promoted to Sergeant.


He retrained with the squadron, qualified as a Radio Observer and flew in Beaufighters. In July 1941 Patston was commissioned and posted away to 54 OTU at Church Fenton as an instructor.

In 1943 he joined 85 Squadron and served with it until the end of the war. In the late evening of 6th September 1943 Patston was flying with F/Lt. CG Houghton. They shot down a Fw190 which crashed near Bury St. Edmunds.

He was awarded the DFC (gazetted 9th November 1943) having then assisted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft at night. He was appointed Senior Navigation Officer with 85 Squadron in May 1945.


Patston was released from the RAF later in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died in July 1992 in Surrey.

 

 

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