Edward Donaldson (RAF officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward "Teddy" Mortlock Donaldson
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Edward Mortlock Donaldson
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| Nickname(s) | Teddy |
| Born | 12 February 1912 Negeri Sembilan, British Malaya |
| Died | 2 June 1992 (aged 80) Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, Hampshire |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1931–1961 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Commands held | RAF Flying College (1958–61) RAF Wunstorf (1951–53) RAF Fassberg (1951) High Speed Flight (1946–47) RAF Milfield (1944–46) RAF Colerne (1944) No. 151 Squadron (1938–40) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order Air Force Cross* Mentioned in Despatches Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
| Other work | Air Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph |
Air Commodore Edward "Teddy" Mortlock Donaldson (1912–1992) was a brave pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He was known as a "flying ace" during the Second World War. He also once held the world record for the fastest flight!
Contents
Early Life and Training
Edward 'Teddy' Donaldson was born in 1912 in Negeri Sembilan, which was then part of British Malaya (now Malaysia). His father was a judge. Teddy was one of four brothers. Three of them became fighter pilots in the RAF and earned special awards for their bravery.
Teddy went to school in England. Later, he studied at McGill University in Canada.
Joining the RAF
In 1931, Teddy joined the Royal Air Force (RAF), just like two of his brothers. He started by flying Bristol Bulldog planes with No. 3 Squadron.
Teddy was also a good boxer. He won the RAF Boxing Championship in 1933. He was an excellent shot too. He won the RAF's top gunnery award, the Brooke-Popham Air Firing Trophy, in both 1933 and 1934.
From 1935 to 1938, Teddy was a stunt pilot. He led a team of five Bulldog planes. They performed amazing aerobatic displays at events like the International Zürich Rally.
World War II Hero
When the Second World War began, Teddy Donaldson was a Squadron Leader. He was in charge of No. 151 Squadron RAF, flying Hawker Hurricane fighter planes.
Fighting Over France
In their first battle over France, Teddy's squadron destroyed six enemy aircraft. They shot down many more planes in the following months. This included battles during the Battle of Dunkirk. For his great leadership and for shooting down eleven enemy planes himself, Teddy was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
The RAF needed more pilots. So, Teddy was sent to Canada to teach others how to be gunnery instructors. He wrote a training book called Notes on Air Gunnery and Air Fighting. This book was used to teach many pilots, even those from the US Army Air Force.
In 1944, Teddy returned to England. He learned to fly new jet aircraft. He then commanded the first squadron to use the Gloster Meteor jet, based at RAF Colerne.
Breaking the Airspeed Record
After the war, the RAF wanted to set a new world record for flight speed. They created a special team called the High Speed Flight squadron. Group Captain Teddy Donaldson was chosen to lead this team in 1946.
On September 7, 1946, Teddy made history! He flew a Gloster Meteor F.4 jet over Littlehampton. He set a new official world record of 615.78 miles per hour (990.99 km/h). Because of this amazing achievement, he received another award, a Bar to his Air Force Cross.
Later Career and Life
In the early 1950s, Teddy served in West Germany. He commanded the RAF Fassberg and RAF Wunstorf airfields. He was promoted to Air Commodore in 1955. From 1956 to 1958, he was a Deputy Commander of Air Forces in the Arabian Peninsula. His last job in the RAF was as Commandant of the RAF College.
Teddy retired from the RAF in 1961. After that, he worked as the Air Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph newspaper until 1979. He loved sailing and owned a yacht. Teddy passed away in 1992 and is buried at St Andrew's Church, Tangmere.
Legacy and Memorials
Teddy Donaldson's record-breaking Meteor jet is now on display. You can see it at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum. Another record-holding plane, flown by Squadron Leader Neville Duke, is also there.
In 2000, a special blue plaque was placed on Teddy's childhood home in Selsey. This plaque is part of the Selsey Heritage trail, remembering his achievements.
Images for kids
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Edward Mortlock Donaldson
