Hi Guys
Can anyone fill in some blanks please – A C Stewart was Wing Co Flying of 125 Wing between March and July 1944 – but, other than knowing that, and his previous service in 167, 322 (Dutch), 65 and 122 squadrons, I have no idea where he served before 167 squadron or after 125 Wing other than those shown below.
The entries below are, in the main, from
http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Stewart_AC.htm and I have photo’s of him with 167 squadron on 10 May 1943 and with S/Ldr Don Smith DFC, Soviet Medal for Valour CO of 453 Squadron RAAF at RAF Ford on 10 June 1944. Plus some London Gazette entries, including his DFC (US) and MiD.
The 125 Wing ORB for 7 July 1944 states "News was received that W/C Flying of 125, W/Cdr Stewart is going on rest and S/L Page D.F.C. is to be made W/C flying an appointment which gave a great deal of pleasure to everybody." But where did he go “on rest” and what followed before his permanent commission in the rank of Wing Commander ?
I have searched Aces High, Aces High 2 and Those Other Eagles but he does not appear – so seemingly no victories – but he was awarded a DFC in the supplement to the London Gazette of 19 September 1944 for “Acting Wing Commander Archibald Cathcart Stewart (40151) R.A.FO. - This officer has displayed gallantry, determination and devotion to duty worthy of the greatest praise. He has taken part in a large number of sorties on many of which he has led large formations of aircraft with exceptional ability. He has rendered much valuable service.”
He doesn't appear in “Men of the Battle of Britain” and a large blank exists between 1937 and 1943 for example, so can only presume he was in a training capacity then as I am sure a junior officer ranked trained pilot would have some responsibility during that important period. He does not, currently, appear to be traced flying bombers, fighters, coastal, or recce. – so that only leaves training, office bound or hospital!!
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Air Commodore A C Stewart
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Archibald Cathcart b: 7 Jul 1913 r: 3 Apr 1961 d: 1972+
DFC – DFC (US). MiD. jssc
Act Plt Off: 5 Sep 1937, Plt Off: 12 Jul 1938, Fg Off (WS): 12 Apr 1940, Flt Lt (WS): 12 Feb 1941, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Mar 1942, Act Wg Cdr: 9 Dec 1943?, Sqn Ldr (WS): 9 Jun 1944, Wg Cdr: 1 Nov 1947 [1 Oct 1946], Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1953, Act A/Cdre: 2 Dec 1957, A/Cdre: Retained.
5 Sep 1937: Initial Officer Training, RAF Depot?.
18 Sep 1937: U/T pilot, No 2 FTS.
xx Feb 1943: Officer Commanding, No 167 Sqn.
12 Jun 1943: Officer Commanding, No 322 (Dutch) Sqn. (Spitfire
Vb)
xx xxx 1943: ?, No 65 Sqn?
xx Dec 1943: Officer Commanding, No 122 Sqn. (Spitfire IX)
xx Mar 1944:
15 Jun 1948: Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Wing Commander
25 Feb 1953: Air Attaché, Warsaw.
30 Jul 1955: Senior Personnel Staff Officer, HQ Fighter Command.
2 Dec 1957: SASO, HQ No 224 Group.
I have received further information that he was SASO 224 Group from April 1959 but he is shown as of 2 December 1957 in the RAFWEB site
“Air Commodore A C Stewart, DFC, DFC (US), jssc as of April 1959 was Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at HQ No 224 Group, based in Singapore. Air Commodore Archibald Stewart transferred to the Retired List 3 April 1961.”
Many thanks
Allan