GUILLAUME, Desiré
Stats:
rank: G/Cstatus: survived
airforce: RAF (no: 102953 )
born: 1901-12-20 Jemeppe -Sur - Sambre Belgium
added by: Adrian Dwyer
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Bio / Text:
Desiré 'Guilly' Guillaume gained his wings on 1 August 1923 at the Aéronautique Militaire. During the invasion of Belgium, Guillaume was first send to Caen for the reception of the first Brewster B-339 but with no success. (The Cargo Ship carrying the aircraft was diverted to Bordeaux due a harbor strike and the cargo was captured during the German advance.
He demobilised in August but being well-known for his anti-nazi opinions, he had to escape from Belgium on 17 December 1940 (with Pierre Vandermies). He arrived in England on 9 April 1941. He immediately joined the RAFVR, and after a short period of training was posted to 131 Sqn (26/08/1941), 78 Sqn (26/10/41), 615 Sqn (exact dates unknown). He then took
command of 350 Sqn from 20/03/42 till 19/12/42. The Squadron diary notes the following:
17/01/1942 - D. Guillaume transferred from 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, takes over the command of "B" Flight
20/03/1942 - D. Guillaume takes over command of 350 Squadron. Y. "Duke" Du Monceau de Bergendael transferred from 609 (West Riding) Squadron takes over command of "B" Flight.
07/10/1942 - Leigh Mallory awards a DFC to S/L Guillaume
19/12/1942 - S/L A. Boussa takes over command of the Squadron. W/Cdr D. Guillaume DFC is designated as Base Commander of Fairlop Airfield
Recognised as a very capable officer, Guillaume was promoted to station commander of RAF Hornchurch. He also became an instructor at Old Sarum, led the Belgian Initial Training school and ended the war as G/Cpt and Inspector of the Belgian Air Force in GB.
After the war he became the mayor of the City of Nivelles. He died at. Braine-L'Alleud on 26 January 1988.
[Note: exact date of enlistment in RAF is not confirmed]
(source: Nicolas Clinaz)
Known awards
Distinguished Flying Cross, Mentioned in Dispatches, Knight in the Order of the Crown, Knight in the Order of Leopold II, Officer in the Order of Leopold II, Commander in the Order of Leopold II, Knight in the Order of Leopold, Officer in the Order of the Crown, Officer in the order of Leopold, Belgian Military Cross 2nd Class, Croix des Evades, Croix de Guerre Belge 1940, 1939/1945 Star, Political Prisoner Medal
DFC citation of 30 August 1943: Has commanded a Squadron since March 1942. He participated in 4 sorties in the recent Combined Operations at Dieppe during whoich the Squadron destroyed seven enemy aircraft and probably destroyed or damaged a further 13, reflecting the greatest credit on Squadron Leader Guillaume's leadership."
He demobilised in August but being well-known for his anti-nazi opinions, he had to escape from Belgium on 17 December 1940 (with Pierre Vandermies). He arrived in England on 9 April 1941. He immediately joined the RAFVR, and after a short period of training was posted to 131 Sqn (26/08/1941), 78 Sqn (26/10/41), 615 Sqn (exact dates unknown). He then took
command of 350 Sqn from 20/03/42 till 19/12/42. The Squadron diary notes the following:
17/01/1942 - D. Guillaume transferred from 615 (County of Surrey) Squadron, takes over the command of "B" Flight
20/03/1942 - D. Guillaume takes over command of 350 Squadron. Y. "Duke" Du Monceau de Bergendael transferred from 609 (West Riding) Squadron takes over command of "B" Flight.
07/10/1942 - Leigh Mallory awards a DFC to S/L Guillaume
19/12/1942 - S/L A. Boussa takes over command of the Squadron. W/Cdr D. Guillaume DFC is designated as Base Commander of Fairlop Airfield
Recognised as a very capable officer, Guillaume was promoted to station commander of RAF Hornchurch. He also became an instructor at Old Sarum, led the Belgian Initial Training school and ended the war as G/Cpt and Inspector of the Belgian Air Force in GB.
After the war he became the mayor of the City of Nivelles. He died at. Braine-L'Alleud on 26 January 1988.
[Note: exact date of enlistment in RAF is not confirmed]
(source: Nicolas Clinaz)
Known awards
Distinguished Flying Cross, Mentioned in Dispatches, Knight in the Order of the Crown, Knight in the Order of Leopold II, Officer in the Order of Leopold II, Commander in the Order of Leopold II, Knight in the Order of Leopold, Officer in the Order of the Crown, Officer in the order of Leopold, Belgian Military Cross 2nd Class, Croix des Evades, Croix de Guerre Belge 1940, 1939/1945 Star, Political Prisoner Medal
DFC citation of 30 August 1943: Has commanded a Squadron since March 1942. He participated in 4 sorties in the recent Combined Operations at Dieppe during whoich the Squadron destroyed seven enemy aircraft and probably destroyed or damaged a further 13, reflecting the greatest credit on Squadron Leader Guillaume's leadership."
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