A/C Sir Louis W Dickens KT DFC AFC 3 MID RAF
Officer Commanding, RAF Elsham Wolds 1942 / 43
G/C Dickens when OC RAF Elsham Wolds at a press photo shoot with Lancaster W4364 Billie which was the first Lancaster to complete 50 ops. Dickens, rivet gun in hand, has attached a dummy DFC to the aircraft nose
Louis Walter Dickens was a distinguished pre war and wartime airman with a long a varied career.
Dickens was born 28 September 1903 and educated at Clongowes Wood College. On the 2 February 1922 became a Flying Cadet at RAF Cranwell. A fine all round sportsman he represented the College at cricket, hockey, rugby and soccer.
His career path was then as follows
19 January 1924 - Pilot - 207 Sqn – Fairey IIIC
Fairey IIIC
2 December 1927 - Qualified Flying Instructor - 4 FTS.
1 April 1931 - Officer, No 2 Armoured Car Company - Egypt.
20 November 1932 - Supernumerary, RAF Depot.
8 February 1933 - Staff, Directorate of Postings.
12 November 1935 - Qualified Flying Instructor RAF College.
3 March 1937 - Supernumerary, 139 Sqn.
3 March 1937 - Attached to 206 Sqn (twin-engined conversion course) - Avro Ansons
Avro Anson
5 March 1937 - Officer Commanding - 139 Sqn – Hawker Hinds and Bristol Blenheims
Hawker Hind
Bristol Blenheim IV
2 to 16 January 1940 - Officer Commanding (Temporary), No 71 Wing
17 July 1940 - Air Staff, HQ Bomber Command.
1941 - Staff Wing Commander, No 1 Training Command, RCAF - Ontario
1942 - Officer Commanding, RAF Breighton
7 December 1942 - Supernumerary; RAF Elsham Wolds
9 December 1942 - Officer Commanding, RAF Elsham Wolds
1 January 1944 - Acting Base Commander, No 13 Base - replaced by A/C R Ivelaw Chapman 3 February 1944
10 February 1944 - Officer Commanding, RAF Lindholme.
5 September 1944 - Air Staff; HQ Bomber Command
16 September 1946 - SASO, HQ, No 1 Group
Retired 22 August 1947
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Dickens was awarded an AFC 6 June 1939.
He was also awarded a DFC in 1940. Citation below :-
"Wing Commander Louis Walter DICKENS (16108).
This officer led nine Blenheim aircraft in an exceedingly determined and gallant attack which he succeeded in pressing home with success in the face of extremely heavy enemy opposition. While no exact estimate can be given as to the number of enemy fighters in contact, a formation of nine Messerschmitt 109's and four Messerschmitt 110's attacking the leading formation were identified, and the remaining two sections were simultaneously heavily engaged by a superior number of Messerschmitt no's. The attack was of great moment and the courage and leadership displayed by this officer inspired the squadron in an operation which otherwise might have completely failed."
(London Gazette —31 May 1940)
He was also three times mentioned in despatches 1944, 1945 and 1946.
Dickens was created a Knight Bachelor for his work as Chairman of Berkshire County Council 1 January 1968.
He passed away 30 Aug 1988 and is buried at St Sebastians Cemetery, Wokingham, Wokingham Borough, Berkshire
Compiled by David Fell with photos from my archive
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