Branse Burbridge completed his training within a year, was posted to No 85 Squadron RAF and claimed one probable kill against enemy aircraft with another aircraft damaged by the end of 1942.
42 Facts About Branse Burbridge
1.
2.
Branse Burbridge was then posted to an Operational Training Unit as an instructor before spending a year as a staff officer.
3.
Branse Burbridge returned to operations in late 1943 with No 85 Squadron, equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito.
4.
Branse Burbridge flew with radar operator Bill Skelton, achieving much success in a relatively short time period.
5.
Branse Burbridge flew sorties as an intruder pilot with No 100 Group RAF over the front.
6.
Branse Burbridge claimed two more kills with one probable and another damaged in these operations.
7.
Branse Burbridge was awarded a bar to his DFC in October 1944 and a Distinguished Service Order the following month.
8.
Branse Burbridge studied at Oxford University and then Cambridge University before entering the Christian ministry.
9.
Branse Burbridge resided in Chorleywood in Hertfordshire until his death in November 2016.
10.
Bransome Arthur Branse Burbridge was born in Brixton, in the London Borough of Lambeth, to Arthur Jarvis and Charlotte Davis on 4 February 1921.
11.
Branse Burbridge's brother Jarvis was born in 1919 and three sisters followed over the next 12 years: Charlotte, Zoe and Phebe.
12.
Branse Burbridge was educated at Alleyne's School in Stevenage where he pursued his interests in music, painting and drama.
13.
Branse Burbridge's fees were stolen from a hotel room when he stopped in central London and he was forced to drop out after one term.
14.
Branse Burbridge registered as a conscientious objector after the enabling of the National Service Act 1939.
15.
In September 1940, Branse Burbridge ended his objection to military service.
16.
Branse Burbridge opted for the Royal Air Force to serve as a pilot or aircrew.
17.
Branse Burbridge rationalised that as a pilot he was responsible for shooting down aircraft, not people.
18.
Branse Burbridge made his decision despite having shown no interest in flying, nor experience or understanding in the basics of aviation.
19.
Branse Burbridge was given the non-commissioned officer Service number 10067.
20.
On 24 February 1941 after completing basic flight training at the Elementary Flying Training School, Sulhamstead House, in Berkshire, Branse Burbridge flew an aircraft for the first time.
21.
Branse Burbridge's skill was recognised and he was appointed as an instructor.
22.
Branse Burbridge was commissioned as Pilot Officer on 1 July 1941.
23.
Branse Burbridge was a proficient pilot and undertook night flying training courses.
24.
Branse Burbridge learned to use the Blind approach beacon system which Burbridge surmised as audible dots and dashes.
25.
In October 1941, after six months of intensive night flight training, Branse Burbridge was declared ready for front-line operations.
26.
Branse Burbridge was posted to No 85 Squadron RAF at RAF Hunsdon in October 1941.
27.
Branse Burbridge was guided to his targets by ground control interception which placed him within a mile of the target aircraft.
28.
At Usworth Branse Burbridge met Flying Officer Bill Skelton, a radar operator instructor.
29.
Branse Burbridge wished to be assigned to Supermarine Spitfires to carry out high altitude photo-reconnaissance work.
30.
Branse Burbridge engaged and destroyed a Messerschmitt Me 410 south-east of Beachy Head this night.
31.
Branse Burbridge claimed a Dornier Do 217 damaged and then, after encountering more enemy aircraft off Dover, claimed a Ju 88.
32.
Branse Burbridge destroyed a Junkers Ju 188, which crashed into the sea.
33.
Branse Burbridge dispatched the aircraft which crashed next to a river.
34.
Branse Burbridge fired at the Ju 88 which caught fire, crashed and exploded.
35.
Branse Burbridge took a route over southern Denmark, and Skelton identified a Ju 188 over the Baltic Sea which Burbridge shot down.
36.
Branse Burbridge was awarded the bar to his DFC, which was "Gazetted" on 14 November 1944.
37.
Branse Burbridge left No 85 Squadron in March 1945 to become commanding officer of the Night Fighter Leader's School.
38.
Branse Burbridge was later awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross on 17 July 1945.
39.
Branse Burbridge left the RAF in October 1946 and joined the University of Oxford.
40.
Branse Burbridge read history at St Peter's College and joined the evangelical Oxford Inter-Collegiate Christian Union.
41.
Branse Burbridge remained a lay preacher for the Scripture Union where he carried out work for the Children's Special Service Mission.
42.
In February 2013 Branse Burbridge's family reported that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and they were considering selling his medals and wartime memorabilia to fund his private care home.