Bio / Text:
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Andrew Smitton Darling of Auchterarder, Perthshire joined the RAFVR about August 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot.
Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his training and went to 12 Group Pool Sutton Bridge. From there he joined 611 Squadron at Digby on 3rd February 1940.
On 21st August 1940 Darling shared in the destruction of two Do17's off the Lincolnshire coast.
He was posted to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch on 27th September. On the 30th he probably destroyed a Me109 and damaged another, on 5th and 20th October he probably destroyed Me109's and on the 28th he probably destroyed a Me109 and damaged another.
Darling destroyed two CR42's over the Straits of Dover on 23rd November 1940 and on the 29th he shared in the destruction of a Do17 east of Ramsgate.
On 3rd March 1941 he was posted to 611 Squadron at Hornchurch. On Circus 7 on 13th March his Spitfire IIa P7368 was damaged in combat and he force-landed at Dungeness.
He was killed on 26th April 1941 as a Flight Sergeant with 91 Squadron.
Darling was shot down by Me109's of II/JG51 whilst on a shipping reconnaissance in Spitfire P7615.
He was 28 and is buried in Auchterarder Cemetery -Sec. 5 B. Grave 34.
Son of Peter and Mary Ann Greig Darling, of Auchterarder; husband of Margaret Robertson Darling, of Ayr
Group Photo
Back row standing: Sgt. Levenson, Flt Lt. Macfie, Sgt. Burt, Flt Lt. Scott -Malden, Plt Off CAT Jones, unknown, Plt Off D A Adams, Sgt. A S Darling, Fg Off B Heath, unknown.
Middle sitting/crouching: Flt Lt. DH Watkins, Fg Off W J Jack Leather, Fg Off KM Stoddart, Plt Off P S C Pollard.
Front: Plt Off MP Brown
Ref
CWGC
Battle of Britain Monument London
