List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (G–K) facts for kids

The Battle of Britain was a huge air battle fought in the skies over Britain in 1940. It was a very important part of World War II. This list is about the brave pilots and aircrew who flew during this battle. They were given a special award called the "Battle of Britain Clasp" because they flew at least one mission with the Royal Air Force (RAF) or Fleet Air Arm between July 10 and October 31, 1940. These brave airmen are often called "The Few".

The Story of "The Few"

The Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne

After the Battle of Britain, in 1942, the Air Ministry decided to create a special list. This list was for pilots who had died during the battle. The goal was to build a national memorial for them. This memorial became the Battle of Britain Chapel inside Westminster Abbey. King George VI officially opened it on July 10, 1947. The chapel has a "Roll of Honour" with the names of 1,497 pilots and aircrew who were killed or badly wounded.

For a long time, there wasn't an official rule about who counted as a "Battle of Britain airman." But on November 9, 1960, the Air Ministry finally published a document called AMO N850. This document explained the rules for getting the Battle of Britain Star award. It also listed the 71 air units that were part of RAF Fighter Command during the battle.

A serving RAF officer named Flt Lt John Holloway took on a personal challenge in 1955. He wanted to make a complete list of "The Few." After 14 years of hard work and research, he had 2,946 names on his list. Out of these airmen, 537 were killed during the battle or later died from their injuries.

Later, a group called the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust was started by Geoffrey Page. They raised money to build another memorial. This one is the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother unveiled it on July 9, 1993. This site also has the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall. On this wall, you can find the complete list of all "The Few" engraved.

More recently, the Battle of Britain Monument was opened in London. It's on the Victoria Embankment. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall unveiled it on September 18, 2005. The idea for this monument came from the Battle of Britain Historical Society. They worked hard to raise money for its construction. The outside of the monument is covered with bronze plaques. These plaques list all the Allied airmen who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Pilots and Aircrew: G to K

This section lists some of the brave pilots and aircrew whose last names start with G, H, I, J, or K. These individuals were part of "The Few." They flew important missions during the Battle of Britain. The list includes their rank, nationality, the squadron they flew with, any awards they received, and notes about their service or fate. Many different nationalities fought together to defend Britain. Some survived the war, while others sadly lost their lives.

Here are a few examples from the full list:

• Gabszewicz, Aleksander Klemens (Poland) - A Flying Officer with 607 Sqn. He received many awards for his bravery.
• Gaunce, Lionel Manley "Elmer" (Canada) - A Flight Lieutenant with 615 Sqn. He was awarded the DFC. A mountain in Jasper National Park, Canada, is named after him.
• Gibson, John Albert Axel (New Zealand) - A Flight Lieutenant with 501 Sqn. He earned the DSO and DFC.
• Głowacki, Antoni "Toni" (Poland) - A Sergeant with 501 Sqn. He was a highly decorated pilot.
• Grandy, John (Britain) - A Squadron Leader and commanding officer of 249 Sqn. He later became a very senior officer in the RAF.
• Gray, Colin Falkland (New Zealand) - A Pilot Officer with 54 Sqn. He was a highly successful pilot, earning the DSO and DFC with two bars.
• Gregory, Albert Edward (Britain) - A Sergeant with 219 Sqn. He received the DFC.
• Higginson, Frederick William "Taffy" (Britain) - A Flight Sergeant with 56 Sqn. He was awarded the DFC and DFM.
• Hillary, Richard Hope (Britain) - A Pilot Officer with 603 Sqn. He was famous for his book about his experiences.
• Holmes, Raymond Towers "Ray" (Britain) - A Sergeant with 504 Sqn. He became well-known for ramming a German bomber that was threatening Buckingham Palace.
• Hughes, Paterson Clarence (Australia) - A Flight Lieutenant with 234 Sqn. He was a very skilled pilot, awarded the DFC.
• Hugo, Petrus Hendrik "Dutch" (South Africa) - A Pilot Officer with 615 Sqn. He was a highly decorated pilot.
• Iveson, Thomas Clifford (Britain) - A Sergeant with 616 Sqn. He was a surviving aircrew member and received the DFC.
• Jameson, Patrick Geraint (New Zealand) - A Flight Lieutenant and commanding officer of 266 Sqn. He earned the DSO and DFC.
• Kent, John Alexander "Johnnie" (Canada) - A Squadron Leader with 303 and 92 Sqns. He was a famous ace, earning the DFC and AFC.
• Kuttelwascher, Karel (Czechoslovakia) - A Sergeant with 1 Sqn. He was a highly decorated pilot.

Many of these brave individuals continued to serve after the Battle of Britain, some sadly losing their lives later in the war, while others survived and lived long lives. The names highlighted in silver are those who survived the war.

Images for kids

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  Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne

See also

• Non-British personnel in the RAF during the Battle of Britain
• List of World War II aces from the United Kingdom
• List of World War II flying aces by country
• List of World War II flying aces
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (A–C)
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (D–F)
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (L–N)
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (O–R)
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (S–U)
• List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain (V–Z)