Tony Iveson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Clifford Iveson
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Tony |
| Born | 11 September 1919 York, England, UK |
| Died | 5 November 2013 (aged 94) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1949 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 616 Squadron RAF No. 92 Squadron RAF No. 617 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War Battle of Britain |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Air Efficiency Award Battle of Britain clasp |
| Other work | Granada Television |
Thomas Clifford "Tony" Iveson (born September 11, 1919 – died November 5, 2013) was a very brave pilot in the Royal Air Force. He fought in the Second World War and was known as one of "the Few" pilots who defended Britain. Tony grew up in Yorkshire, England.
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Tony Iveson's Time in the RAF
Tony Iveson joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in September 1938. This was before the war officially started. He learned how to fly planes.
Flying in the Battle of Britain
Tony trained at a special flying school called No. 5 Flying Training School. After that, he learned to fly Spitfire fighter planes. These were very fast and famous planes.
He became a Sergeant Pilot with No. 616 Squadron RAF. He joined them on September 2, 1940. This was during the Battle of Britain, a huge air fight where British pilots defended their country from enemy planes.
On September 16, 1940, something scary happened. Tony was chasing a German plane called a Junkers Ju 88 over the sea. His Spitfire ran out of fuel! He had to land his plane in the water. Luckily, a motor boat rescued him, and he was brought safely to land.
Soon after, on October 11, 1940, he joined No. 92 Squadron RAF.
Becoming a "Dam Buster"
After some time training pilots in Rhodesia, Tony became an officer in May 1942. He then joined a very famous group of pilots called the "Dam Busters." This was No. 617 Squadron RAF. He joined them in July 1944 as a Flight Lieutenant.
In October 1944, he was promoted to Squadron Leader. He flew on about 27 important missions. One of his most famous missions was helping to sink the huge German warship called the German battleship Tirpitz. This was a very difficult and dangerous mission.
In March 1945, Tony was given a special award called the Distinguished Flying Cross. He earned this award for being incredibly brave in January 1945. Half of his crew had to jump out of their bomber plane over Bergen, but Tony managed to keep the plane flying and landed it safely in Shetland.
He finished his time with 617 Squadron on February 16, 1945.
Life After the RAF
Tony Iveson left the RAF on July 12, 1949. After his military career, he became the leader of the Bomber Command Association. This group helped former bomber pilots.
He also worked for a TV company called Granada Television. He helped with public relations for many companies. He even helped with the launch of EuroDisney!
Tony also helped write a book about the famous Lancaster bomber plane. When he was 89 years old, he became the oldest person to fly one of these historic planes!
Tony was married twice and had three daughters and one son.
See also
