Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume Middleton

Service number 402745
Ranks Held Flight Sergeant, Pilot Officer
Birth Date 1916-07-22
Birth Place Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Waverley
Death Date 1942-11-29
Death Place English Channel
Final Rank Pilot Officer
Service Royal Australian Air Force
Unit No. 149 Squadron (RAF)
Places
Conflict/Operation Second World War, 1939-1945
Gazettes Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963
Published in London Gazette in 1943-01-15
Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1943-02-04
Description

Rawdon Middleton was born on 22 July 1916 at Waverly in Sydney, a great-nephew of the explorer, Hamilton Hume. His family moved to the western districts of New South Wales when he was young and he attended school in Dubbo, becoming a keen sportsman and later finding work as a jackeroo.

He enlisted in the RAAF on 14 October 1940 under the Empire Air Training Scheme. Having learnt to fly at Narromine, New South Wales, Middleton was sent to Canada to continue his instruction. He reached Britain in September 1941 and was promoted to Flight Sergeant in December that year. In February 1942 Middleton was posted to 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and began his operational career. His first operational flights, to the Ruhr, were as second pilot in Stirling bombers but by July he had become first pilot. His first operation as captain of an aircraft was to Düsseldorf.

On 28 November 1942 he took off on his 29th operation, to the Fiat works in Turin, Italy. Middleton's aircraft was struck by flak over the target, one shell exploded in the cockpit wounding Middleton in the face and destroying his right eye. The same shell also wounded the second pilot and wireless operator. Middleton lost consciousness and the aircraft dived to just 800 feet before the second pilot brought it under control. They were hit by more flak as they tried to escape the target.

When Middleton regained consciousness he began the long and gruelling flight back over the Alps towards England, knowing that his damaged aircraft had insufficient fuel to complete the journey. The crew discussed the possibility of abandoning the aircraft or trying to land in northern France but Middleton decided to head for England where his crew would have the chance to bail out. As they approached the French coast the Stirling was again hit by flak but flew on. Now over the English coast with only five minutes of fuel left Middleton ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft. Five men left the stricken plane, and two remained on board to help Middleton before attempting to parachute to safety, although unfortunately both were drowned. The Stirling then crashed into the sea, killing Middleton. He was only one operation away from completing his first tour on bombers.

Middleton's bravery was recorded in the English press and earned him the admiration of the British public and a posthumous Victoria Cross. His body washed ashore at Dover on 1 February 1943 and he was buried in the churchyard of St. John's, Beck's Row, Suffolk, with full military honours

Rolls

  • Roll of Honour:

    Unit
    No. 149 Squadron (RAF)
    Conflict
    Second World War, 1939-1945
    Rank
    Pilot Officer
  • Honours and Awards:

    Unit
    No. 149 Squadron (RAF)
    Conflict
    Second World War, 1939-1945
    Rank
    Flight Sergeant
    London Gazette
    15 January 1943 on page 329 at position 1
    Commonwealth Gazette
    04 February 1943 on page 397 at position 2
  • Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

    Conflict
    Second World War, 1939-1945

Timeline

Date of birth 22 July 1916 Waverley, NSW.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) 14 October 1940 Enlisted in the RAAF under the Empire Air Training Scheme.
Other 1941-09 Posted to Britain.
Date promoted 1941-12 Promoted to flight sergeant.
Other units 1942-02 Was appointed to No 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force. In the next few months he acted as a second pilot in raids against Ruhr.
Date promoted 1942-07 Appointed to position of first pilot.
Other 31 July 1942 Captained an aircraft for the first time in a raid against Dusseldorf.
Other 07 November 1942 Flew in a raid on Genoa.
Other 20 November 1942 Flew in a raid targeting the Royal Arsenal at Turin.
Date of honour or award 1942-11-28 - 1942-11-29 Awarded Victoria Cross posthumously for action at Turin, Italy whilst serving with RAAF attached to No 149 Squadron, 3 Group, Bomber Command, RAF as a flight sergeant. Although the citation of his Victoria Cross shows his rank as flight sergeant, his commission as a pilot officer was back dated to the 15th November 1942. After a night raid on Turin Middleton's aircraft was damaged and low on fuel. Middleton and his second pilot were also severely wounded. Despite his diminishing strength Middleton made the decision to head for the English coast, where five of his crew were able to parachute to safety. Middleton, however, and two of his crew did not survive. Middleton died trying to ensure the safety of his crew.
Date of death 29 November 1942 Died as the result of a plane crash in the English Channel.
Date of burial 05 February 1943 Middleton was washed ashore at Shakespeare Beach, Dover, on 1 February 1943. He was buried with full military honours in the churchyard of St John's, Beck Row, Suffolk.