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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P G Rich

 

Peter Geoffrey Rich was born on in January 1920 in Hastings and attended Panal Ash College in Harrogate.

He joined the RAF in October 1939 as an Aircrafthand. He volunteered for air crew duties and after completing an Air Gunners course he was posted to 25 Squadron in June 1940. He served throughout the Battle.

When the squadron's Blenheims were replaced by Beaufighters Rich was posted with the other gunners to Bomber Command and served at OTUs at Kinloss and Whitby.

 

 

Around August 1941 Rich was posted to join the newly formed 458 Squadron RAAF at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, operating Wellingtons. In early 1942 he was posted away from 458 when it left for the Middle East and sent on a gunnery instructors course.

He then instructed at Dalcross near Inverness followed by postings to Castle Kennedy and later Bishops Court in Northern Ireland. He was released from the RAF in early 1946 as a Warrant Officer.

On 16th October 1947 he married Eileen Gaunt, a former WAAF, at St. James Church, Wetherby, Yorkshire.

In 1951 he settled in South Africa (below).

 


 

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