The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C P Rudland

Clifford Percival Rudland was born on 12th December 1915 in London and joined the RAFVR in March 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He began his elementary flying training at 3 E&RFTS Hamble.

Called up at the outbreak of war, he was posted to 15 EFTS Redhill in November, moved on to 5 FTS Sealand in April 1940 and joined 263 Squadron at Drem in June.

He served with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain.

Commissioned in May 1941, Rudland destroyed two Me109's in the air and damaged a Ju87 on the ground during a sortie in a Whirlwind against Maupertas airfield in France on 6th August.

He was appointed a Flight Commander later in 1941 and awarded the DFC (gazetted 19th September 1941).

Rudland was posted to 19 Squadron at Perranporth in September 1942 as a Flight Commander. He was detached to Vickers-Supermarine, Southampton in December and flew on test-pilot duties until October 1943.

Rudland joined 131 Squadron at Church Stanton in November as a Flight Commander. He was promoted in August 1944 and given command of 64 Squadron at Harrowbeer. He was posted away in March 1945 to be Wing Commander Flying at Andrews Field, Essex.

Rudland was awarded a Bar to the DFC (gazetted 15th May 1945) and the DFC (US)(gazetted 15th May 1945).

He served as a Planning Officer at HQ 11 Group from May to August 1945 and was then sent on a course at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Rudland returned to the UK in November 1945 and was released from the RAF later in the month as a Wing Commander. He served in the RAFVR from 1946 to 1951.

Rudland died in March 1996 in Bury St. Edmunds.