The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. R M Power

Richard Maurice Power of Melbourne, Australia was born on 6th November 1915 and trained with the RAAF as a cadet at Point Cook in 1936.

He sailed for England in January 1937, was granted an RAF short service commission in February and went for a short course to 11 FTS Wittering on the 28th.

On completing the course Power joined 66 Squadron at Duxford on 22nd May 1937. After the outbreak of war he was posted to 504 Squadron at Debden and in November he went to 236 Squadron, then forming at Stradishall.

On 30th July Power hit an obstacle on the ground while taking off from Carew Cheriton in bad weather, in Blenheim R2777. No one on board was injured but the aircraft was a write-off.

When the CO of 236 was killed on 1st August 1940 Power assumed temporary command until the 4th.

In July 1941 he was posted away to 3 (Coastal) OTU Chivenor as an instructor.

Power went back to operations on 22nd August 1943 when he joined 248 Squadron, operating in the anti-shipping role. With his tour completed, Power went to the Air Ministry on 12th March 1944 in the Directorate of Accident Prevention. He later moved to the Directorate General of Organization.

Power was released from the RAF in August 1946 as a Wing Commander.

He returned to Australia and died there on 20th July 1999.