GROOMBRIDGE, Harold

Stats:

rank: F/Sgt
status: survived
airforce: RAF    (no: 1330331 )
born: 1922-10-27 Sidcup United Kingdom

added by: steve groombridge

RAF No 1330331
Joined the RAF in 1940 (not sure of the exact date) - sent to Canada to train as a Pilot - started training at 32 EFTS in Sept 1941 at Sacks Canada.
Returned to the UK in May 1942 with 61 OTU
Joined 129 sq in August 1942 as a flt/sgt flying Spitfires - flew at Dieppe raid in August 1942 - he was just 19 years old

cinegun film of him shooting up Dieppe gun emplacement at the IWM RAF CAMERA GUN FOOTAGE - FIGHTER COMMAND

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060036740 see at 14:02

Transferred to 154 sq in November 1942 to participate in the invasion of North Africa
154 Squadron moves to Malta in July 1943 where he flew EN199 (now in Malta air museum)
Participated in the invasion of Sicily
17 Aug 1943 completes operational duties and transferred to flight training school in Rhodesia
1946 last flew a spitfire

Started flying with eagles in June 1992 - Love to you Dad - From your ever loving sons - Roger, Steve & Justin