Antills to which we owe a great debt

There have been many, many Antills who have served in the Armed Forces and have risked everything. The following are just a few who I have found some information about. If you would like to share your family details or have information about other Antills who have served their countries where-ever and when-ever
then please let me know and I will add them to our Antill Web Site.

Squadron Leader Alan Antill Gawith, DFC

Alan Antill Gawith left New Zealand for the UK in May 1938 and went to 11 E&RTS (Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School) Perth on 27th June for his initial training before moving onto Little Rissington, Gloucs, England. After completing his training he was posted in April 1939 to Wittering, Sussex.

Flying from Ford Aerodrome on 11th Oct 1940 he damaged a German Junkers JU 88. On 8th March 1941 flying over Beauvais aerodrom he damaged a Heinzel HE111 and a Dornier DO 17. However, one of his greatest achievement was to knock out and destroy the entire telephone communication system of the German bomber group at Deume, near Eindhoven

He was awarded the DFC ("awarded for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".) on 15th May 1941. Shortly afterwards he was posted to command 1451 Flight (later to become 530 Squadron) who operated with Turbinlite Havocs and in January the following year was posted to HQ 9 Group in Preston, Lancs as Ops Night. In August 1943 he went to RAF staff college working on plans for the invasion of Europe.

Mid April 1994 he became Senior RAF Liasion officer at the US 9th Air Defence Command and crossed to France with them spending 6 weeks in their beach head area. At the end of 1944 he returned to England to command RAF Cleave. On August 2nd 1949 he was awarded the US Bronze Star for his services with the US during 1944.

Signed photograph is available for Aviation Collectables

Last updated on Wednesday 8, March 2017 @ 11:22.