DUCHATEAU, Roger

Stats:

rank: F/L
status: survived
airforce: RAF    (no: 135896 )
born: 1914-06-01 Wonck Belgium

added by: Adrian Dwyer

Roger "Chat" Duchateau was admitted to the Royal Military Academy on 16 November 1934. 23 November 1936 saw his progression to the ranks of flying personal. He was detached to the 1st Rgt d'Aéronautique on 25 June 1937 and gained the observer brevet on 30 October 1937. Detached to the Flying School (16 May 1938), he obtained his flying brevet on 14March 1939. He was posted to 2nd Rgt Aéronautique on April 1, 1939 and transfered to2/I/2°Aé (10 May 1940). Like many Belgian pilots, he moved into France with his unit after the invasion by German forces.

Duchateau returned to Belgium at the Armistice but on June 14, 1942, he escaped and appeared in Gibraltar on16 September 1942. Having made his way to England, he then enrolled in the RAFVR (30 December 1942). He progressed through training at 5 (P) AFU (15 January 1943), 61 OTU (15 March 1943) and arrived at: 41 Sqn (31 May 1943 - 11 June 1943); 349 Sqn (11 June 1943 - 26 November 1943); 350 Sqn - 1 March 1945). He was honorably was discharged from the RAF on 1st October 1946 and joined the Belgian Air Force. He retired on the 1st October 1953, and died in
Tenerife on 21 January 1989.

Known awards
Knight and Officer in the Order of the Crown, Knight in the Order of Leopold II, Knight in the order of Leopold, Commemorative Medal 1940-45 with 2 crossed swords, Medal of Military combatant 1940-45, 1939-1945 Star, Croix des Evades

(source: Guy De Win)