The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R O Whitehead

Robert Oliver Whitehead, of Mutford, Suffolk was born on 9th December 1919 and joined the RAFVR in July 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his elementary training at 10 FTS Yatesbury and moved on to 3 FTS South Cerney for No. 34 Course, which ran from 28th April to 3rd August 1940.

After completing his training he arrived at 5 OTU Aston Down on 3rd August and after converting to Blenheims joined 25 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on 18th August.

He moved to 151 Squadron, also at Martlesham Heath, on 26th August and then to 253 Squadron at Kenley on 26th September. On 3rd December 1940 he shared in damaging a Do17.

Whitehead was commissioned in November 1941 and posted away from 253. He was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight lieutenant.

Whitehead served in the RAFVR from June 1949.

He died in April 1995 in Ringwood, Hampshire.