The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. P H R R Terry

Patrick Hugh Richard Runciman Terry was born in March 1915, the son of the composer Sir Richard Runciman Terry. He joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1936.

After completing his flying training Terry joined 19 Squadron at Duxford on 25th October 1936. He was posted to the SHQ staff at Halton on 16th September 1937 and on 2nd February 1939 he went to 111 Squadron at Northolt.

Above: He married Anne O'Kelly on 13th November 1943.

He resigned his commission on 12th September 1939, cause unknown, and rejoined the RAF as a Sergeant-Pilot in 1940.

With further training completed he joined 72 Squadron at on 3rd October. He moved to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch later in the month.

He was shot up by Me109s in combat over Canterbury on 5th November. Terry was admitted to Charlton Hospital, Canterbury, wounded.

The squadron ORB recorded:

The flight took off at 14:45 hours on an Operational Patrol over Maidstone line. They then did a sweep over Kent and encountered a number of the new Messerschmitt 109Fs, only P/O Winskill managed to get some rounds off but with no result, however Sgt. Terry received hits to his aircraft and himself. He was able to bring P7509 back where she was inspected and categorised as ‘B’ which saw her to go off the base for repairs, Sgt Terry was taken to hospital.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented.

Terry died on 4th January 1975.