Terry Clark (RAF officer) facts for kids

William Terence Montague Clark (11 April 1919 – 7 May 2020) was a brave British airman. He served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was a special kind of aircrew member called a nightfighter navigator/radar operator.

Clark was one of the very last two people who flew in the famous Battle of Britain and were still alive. This battle was a key part of World War II.

Joining the Air Force

William Clark joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1938. This was a volunteer part of the RAF. He started as an aircrafthand. This meant he helped with the planes on the ground. Later, he trained to be an aircraft gunner. He flew in planes called Hawker Hectors. These planes helped the army by working together with ground troops.

Becoming a Nightfighter Hero

In July 1940, Clark joined No. 219 Squadron RAF. This squadron flew Bristol Blenheim planes. He then trained to be a radar operator. This was a very important job for night fighting. He would use radar to find enemy planes in the dark. He flew in faster planes called Bristol Beaufighters.

Exciting Night Missions

Clark became very good at his job. On the night of 16/17 April 1941, he flew with Wing Commander T.G. Pike. Pike was the leader of the squadron. Clark helped find and destroy two enemy planes. They shot down a Junkers 88 and a Heinkel He 111 near Guildford.

He also flew with his regular pilot, Flying Officer D.O. Hobbis. Together, they were very successful.

• On 27/28 April 1941, they helped destroy an unknown enemy aircraft.
• On 1/2 June 1941, they shot down another Heinkel He 111.
• On 13/14 June 1941, they shot down yet another Heinkel He 111.

Awards and Later Life

For his bravery and skill, William Clark received the Distinguished Flying Medal. This special award was announced on 8 July 1941. He started as a Pilot Officer in May 1942. By the end of the war, he had become a Flight lieutenant. This is a higher rank in the RAF.

After the war, Clark continued to serve for a few more years. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1949. He stopped serving in 1954.

William Clark lived a long life. He passed away on 7 May 2020, at the age of 101. After his death, John Hemingway became the very last surviving member of "The Few". "The Few" is a special name for the RAF pilots and aircrew who fought in the Battle of Britain.