|
George Cecil Unwin
– 46298 F/SGT Pilot British 19 Squadron
Unwin, of Bolton-on-Dearne, Yorkshire, was born on January 18 1913. He joined the RAF in April 1929 as an Apprentice
Clerk at RAF Records, Ruislip. On April 24
1931 he was
posted to HQ Fighting Area, Uxbridge as an LAC Clerk, GD.
He applied for pilot training, was
selected and on November 25 1935 he began his ab
initio course at 8 E&RFTS, Woodley. He moved on
to 11 FTS, Wittering on February 17
1936 and with
training completed, Unwin was posted to 19 Squadron
at Duxford.
Over Dunkirk on May 27 1940, he destroyed a
Hs 126, on the 28th a BF 109 and on June 1 a Bf 110 and probably another. On
a later patrol that day he shared a probable He 111.
On August 6 Unwin
claimed a Bf 110 destroyed and probably another, on September 3 a Bf 110
destroyed, on the 7th two Bf 109s, on the 11th a probable He 111, on the 15th
three Bf 109s, on the 18th a Bf 110 and on the 27th another Bf 109. He was
awarded the DFM (1.10.40).
On November 5 Unwin
claimed a Bf 109 destroyed, on the 15th he shared a Bf 110 and on the 28th
shared a Bf 109. He was awarded a Bar to the DFM (6.12.40) and on December 29
went to 2 CFS, Cranwell for an instructor’s course.
Posted to 16 EFTS, Derby on February 23
1941, Unwin was commissioned from Warrant Officer in July 1941
and moved to 2 FIS, Montrose on March 3 1942. He instructed there until October 19 1943, when he was posted to 12(P)AFU,
Grantham to convert to Mosquitos. After a spell at
60 OUT, High Ercall, Unwin
joined 613 Squadron at Lasham on April 5
1944.
With his tour completed, he went to
CGS, Catfoss on October 30
1944 and moved
to CGS, Leconfield on November 18
1945. Unwin was posted to 608 Squadron, RauxAF
at Thornaby on June 12
1946, as Chief
Instructor. He had a staff job at HQ 23 Group from September 27 1947 until January 11
1949 and another
at HQ 12 Group until August 18 1949.
Unwin was
then posted overseas and on September 9 he took command of 84 Squadron at Habbaniya.
The squadron moved to Tengah on April 8 1950 and began operations in support
of the Army against terrorists in Malaya. Unwin led the squadron
until August 24 1951, when he broke a leg and
returned to the UK. For distinguished service in Malaya, he was awarded the DSO
(21.3.52). Unwin retired from the RAF on January 18 1961, as a Wing Commander.
|
