Air Commodore P A Hughes (33410)


Peter Arden                 b: 18 Nov 1918                       r: 11 Jun 1968                            d:  1 Aug 2018

CBE – 10 Jun 1966, DFC – 26 May 1944.

Plt Off: 29 Jul 1939, Fg Off (WS): 3 Sep 1940, Flt Lt (WS): 3 Sep 1941, (T) Sqn Ldr: 1 Jul 1944, Flt Lt: 21 May 1946 [29 Jan 1943], Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1946,  Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1951, Act Gp Capt: xx Jan 1958?, Gp Capt: 1 Jan 1961, Act A/Cdre: 4 May 1966, A/Cdre: Retained.

 7 Jan 1937:            Flight Cadet, 'A' Sqn, RAF College.

29 Jul 1939:             Granted a Permanent Commission.

14 Aug 1939:          Pilot, No 115 Sqn

19 Feb 1940:          Pilot, No 6 Coastal Patrol Flight (attached to No 217 Sqn)

 8 Apr 1940:           Pilot, No 217 Sqn.

15 Jul 1940:            Pilot, No 417 Flight, RAF St Athan

21 Mar 1941:          Pilot, No 48 Sqn

xx xxx xxxx:            Instructor, No ? OTU (Beauforts)

xx xxx 1943:           Flight Commander, No 489 Sqn RNZAF

 8 Aug 1944:           Prisoner of War, Stalag Luft III

xx May 1945:         Liberated

xx xxx xxxx:            Flying Instructor, Empire Central Flying School

27 Apr 1950:          Air Staff - Organisation, AHQ Iraq.

28 Apr 1953:          Wing Commander - Weapons, HQ Coastal Command

xx xxx 1953:            Chief Flying Instructor, Maritime Operation Training Unit

xx Jul 1955:            Wing Commander – Flying, RAF Kinloss.

 9 Jan 1958:             SOA, HQ No 224 Group.

26 Nov 1959:          Officer Commanding, RAF Seletar.

xx xxx xxxx:             Attended Canberra Conversion Course, No 231 OCU.

 8 May 1961:           Officer Commanding, RAF Tangmere.

21 Oct 1963:           Director and Officer Commanding, RAF Element, Joint Anti-Submarine School, Londonderry.

 4 May 1966:           Director of Operations - Maritime, Navigation and ATC.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

“Acting Squadron Leader Peter Arden HUGHES (33410), Royal Air Force, No. 489 (N.Z.) Squadron.

This officer has completed very many sorties, including several successful attacks on shipping.  In May, 1944, he flew the leading aircraft of a formation which attacked a large and heavily defended convoy off the Dutch coast.  In the fight, Squadron Leader Hughes pressed home his attack with great skill and obtained, a hit on a medium sized vessel, which caught fire.  His leadership was of a high order throughout 'and contributed materially to the success of this well executed operation.  This officer has invariably set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.”

(London Gazette – 26 May 1944)

This page was last updated on 18/03/24

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