Lt Cdr Rupert Tillard and his observer Lt Mark Somerville in their Fairey Fulmar (closest to camera)
Rank: Lt Cdr
Honours and Awards: DSC
(Mediterranean), Battle of Britain clasp
Killed: 8.5.1941
Other information:
Air ace with 6 confirmed
destroyed enemy aircraft, and 1 shared destroyed.
CO of 808 sqdn in defence
of naval dockyards, Wick, under RAF Fighter Command during Battle of Britain.
HMS Ark Royal, and Mediterranean
convoys, Nov 1940-April 1941
Awarded DSC following action
on 9.1.1941 when 2 S-79's were shot down west of Malta.
During escort of convoy
to Alexandria, codenamed "Tiger", involved in dogfight with Fiat CR42's
and shot down,
killing him and observer,
Lt MF Somerville, son of Vice-Admiral Sir James Somerville,
Commander of the Mediterranean
Force H, HMS Ark Royal, 8.5.1941
Buried Enfidaville, Tunisia
See biography in "Aces High".
Commands:
808 Sqn from July 1940 to May 1941
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