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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Bennions, George Herman "Ben" |
| Date of birth: | March 15th, 1913 (Burslem/Staffordshire, Great Britain)
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| Date of death: |
January 30th, 2004
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| Nationality: |
British |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Service number 43354.
"Ben" Bennings joined the RAF in 1929 as an apprentice and mechanic. In 1935 he was selected for pilot training and becam Sergeant pilot in 1936. He oined the No. 41 Squadron, then flying the Demon fighter from Khormaksar airfield, Aden. In 1936 the squadron went back to England and was transferred to the Hawker Fury.
At the outbreak of world War Two, Bennions flew the Supermarine Spitfire. His first victorie was on 28th July 1940 when he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109.
Bennions later becam Fighter Contoller in North England and was promoted to Squadron Leader. In May 1943 he was stationed in Algeria as Senior Controller and Liaison Offocer to an American Fighter Unit that was being trained with the Spitfire. In October he was send to Corsica as commander of a Ground Control Interception Unit. He was wounded on the landing by a bomb en was hospitalized.
George "Ben" Bennions left the Royal Air Force in 1946. He became Head of the Hipswell County School (now Risedale School) at Catterick.
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Pilot Officer
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Unit:
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No. 41 Sguadron, Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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October 1st, 1940
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Action:
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Citation:
"Pilot Officer Bennions has led his section with great distinction. He has destroyed seven enemy aircraft and possibly several others. His determination and coolness have had a splendid influence on his squadron as a whole."
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Details:
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The London Gazette dated 1st October 1940.
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