D J Waghorn

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore D J Waghorn (26046)

David John b: xx xxx 1907 d: 1 Apr 1945

CBE - 14 Jun 1945 (backdated to 31 Mar 1945), AFC - 1 Jul 1941.

Plt Off: 17 Dec 1927, Fg Off: 17 Jun 1929, Flt Lt: 1 Apr 1933, Sqn Ldr: 1 Oct 1937, (T) Wg Cdr: 1 Jun 1940, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Sep 1942, Wg Cdr (WS): 14 Feb 1943, Wg Cdr: 1 Dec 1943, Act A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1944?

xx Jan 1926: Flight Cadet, 'A' Sqn, RAF College.

17 Dec 1927: Pilot, No 17 Sqn.

3 Apr 1929: Attended School of Naval Co-operation.

19 Aug 1929: Pilot, No 405 (Fleet Fighter) Flight FAA.

18 Jun 1931: Pilot, RAF Base Gosport.

5 Oct 1931: Instructor, RAF Training Base, Leuchars.

xx xxx xxxx - 16 Apr 1932: Attended Instructors' Course, CFS (graded A2)

5 Jul 1933: QFI, Central Flying School.

xx xxx 1935: Re-categoried as a Flying Instructor from A2 to A1.

20 Apr 1936: Navigation Instructor, No 10 FTS. (Tern Hill)

7 Mar 1937: Air Staff, HQ RAF India.

14 Mar 1938: Group Navigation Officer, HQ No 4 (Bomber) Group.

xx xxx 1939: Staff, A & AEE

xx xxx 1941: Officer Commanding, ? Flight

19 Nov 1941: Staff, Directorate of Operational Requirements (Navigation).

xx Jan 1943: Special Duty with RAF Delegation, Washington

1 Jul 1944: AOC, No 106 (Photo Reconnaissance) Group

He represented the RAF College at Athletics and Rugby and attained the rank of U/Off. He was the younger brother of H R D Waghorn, who won the Schneider Trophy in 1929 and was to become a member of the RAF High Speed Flight team two years later, setting a new World Air Speed record in ? of ?. He was killed on active service whist flying Spitfire XIX, PS831 (nominally of No 541 Sqn) at Boscombe Down.

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