Bio / Text:
< =
expand >
Obituary notice online ... "PEET, Wallace Wentworth (Pat)ex. RAF Spitfire PilotSuddenly in hospital on 27th December 2005, Pat, late of Chemical Road, Morriston and Brombil House Nursing Home, Neath, husband of the late Barbara, dearly loved father of Brian, Christopher and the late Gordon, dear father-in-law of Sandra and a loving grandad and great grandad. Private cremation. Enquiries to St. James Funeral Home.Telephone 01792 643840."
A Second World War D.F.C. group of seven medals given to Flying Officer W.W.Peet, Royal Air Force late Royal New Zealand Air Force, Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., dated 1945; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star with France and Germany bar; Defence Medal; War Medal; New Zealand Service Medal; General Service Medal 1918-62, one bar, Malaya (Fg. Off. W.W.Peet. R.A.F.).
D.F.C. London Gazette 2.10.1945.
The Recommendation states: 'Flight Lieutenant Peet had completed a tour of operational duty, including bomber escort duty, armed reconnaissance's, and missions in close support of the army. His target have included enemy troop concentration, railway sidings, observation posts, and gun positions. In the course of these missions this Officer has destroyed at least one enemy aircraft and also destroyed or damaged many road vehicles. Flight Lieutenant Peet has, at all time, displayed great courage and fine leadership.
Flying Officer Wallace Wentworth Peet, D.F.C., was born at Dannevirke, New Zealand 24.7.1920; enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force 8.2.1941. Qualified as a Spitfire Pilot, and served with No.122 Squadron. He completed 67 sorties over the Channel, including participating in the Dieppe raid operation. Following a 'Rest' as an instructor transferred to No.74 Squadron as a Flight Commander, and completed another 70 operational sorties.
No.74 Squadron, having served in the Mediterranean, re-equipped with Spitfire IXs back in the UK., and went operational in May 1944. Subsequently engaged over the Normandy beachhead, the Squadron transferred to 2nd Tactical Air Force in July, and began operations as a "Spit-bomber" unit. In August, now based in France, Flight Lieutenant Peet was involved with both ground attacks and bomber escort duties up until the German surrender. After the War Peet transferred with a reduced rank to the Royal Air Force 22.10.1946, and was promoted Flying Officer 11.7.1949, subsequently serving in the Malayan campaign."
RAF Museum archives does have his logbook, reference numbers include: Log Book accession no. X001-6458/001/001, Log Book Accession No. X001-6458/001/002. If a user conducts research on this pilot and can fill in this pilot's biography further by clicking edit, or, can visit the RAF archives to inspect the log book(s) and add any aircraft serials or sortie details, this change will be reflected in your profile as recognition. Let us know if you visit the archives.