Bio / Text:
< =
expand >
Acting Sub Lt Francis Dawson (Frank) PAUL
Francis Dawson Paul was born in Chelsea, London on 18th February 1916. He was commissioned in the RAFO in August 1934, had two promotion but resigned on May 5th 1937 because of ill-health.
He was commissioned in the Fleet Air Arm on 26th September 1939 and trained with 758 Squadron at HMS Raven at Eastleigh. After a short Fighter Course there from May 27th 1940, he was loaned to the RAF on 23rd June and went to 7 OTU Hawarden where he converted to Spitfires.
On 1st July Paul was posted to 64 Squadron at Kenley. On the evening of this day he shared in destroying a Do17 south of Beachy Head. He claimed a Me109 destroyed on the 5th in combat over Rouen and made a forced-landing at Hawkinge on the way back. Paul claimed a Me110 destroyed on the 7th, two more and probably a third on the 10th, a Me110 on the 13th and a Do17 on the 24th.
Paul destroyed another Me109 on the 25th. On this day he was shot down into the Channel off the south coast in Spitfire L1035. He was picked up by a German E-boat, severely wounded.
Paul died five days later.
He is buried in Hardinghen churchyard, France - Military Plot Grave 1
Son of Joseph Dawson Paul and Flavie Leonie Paul, of Chelsea, London.
Group Photo
Hawarden June 1940 - Dawson-Paul standing second from right.
Ref
CWGC
Battle of Britain Monumnet London
