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The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. C A Rust

 

Charles Alan Rust was born on 19th June 1916 in South Shields and joined the RAF on a short service commission in July 1937. He completed his training but his commission was terminated on 27th May 1938 as he resigned in order to fly with Western Airways of Weston-super-Mare.

Rust rejoined the RAFVR in October 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He went initially to 11 Group Pool, St. Athan and joined 145 Squadron at Croydon from there on 31st October 1939, flying Blenheims.

 

 

He was posted away to 604 Squadron at Northolt in March 1940 but he rejoined 145 Squadron on 7th April, still at Croydon but re-equipped with Hurricanes in his absence.

On 13th May 1940 Rust was posted to France and he joined 85 Squadron at Lille/Seclin. The squadron was withdrawn to Debden on 22nd May. On 12th July he shared in damaging a He111. Rust moved to 249 Squadron at North Weald on 11th September 1940.

He flew his final sortie with 249 on 15th September. He was posted from 249 to RAF North Weald on 15th October 1940 as non-effective sick.

In August 1942 Rust was arrested for the theft of luggage from the railway station at Stockport. At his trial it was alleged that he had been shot down twice in combat, the second time sustaining a fractured skull, and this had led to bouts of confused behaviour. He was put on probation.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented.

Rust died in April 1985 in Exeter.

 

 

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