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Rabbitsqn.
Portraits - John Freeborn.

John Connell Freeborn – 70854 FO Pilot British 74 Squadron

Freeborn was born in Middleton, Yorkshire on December 1 1919. He was commissioned in the RAFO in March 1938, went to 8 FTS, Montrose on April 9 and with his training completed, he joined 74 Squadron at Hornchurch on October 29. He relinquished his RAFO commission on being granted a short service one in the RAF in January 1939.

          Three days after the outbreak of war, the squadron was scrambled. Freeborn and Flying Officer V G Byrne dived to attack what they thought were Bf 109s but were in fact Hurricanes of 56 Squadron. They shot down two, killing one of the pilots. This incident became known as the ‘Battle of Barking Creek’. Freeborn and Byrne came up before a General Court Marital on October 7 1939 and were acquitted.

Comments on this page should be emailed to Alan @ FDLC.co.uk
Last update 12th June 2006

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