1. Stanley Vincent was born in Hampstead, north London, on 7 April 1897, the son of Dr Charles Vincent and Hannah Phillips.
21 Facts About Stanley Vincent
1. 2.
Stanley Vincent's first posting was to No 60 Squadron RAF in France in April 1916, equipped with Morane single seat and two seaters.
3.
Stanley Vincent was appointed to 'A' Flight equipped with the Morane Bullet scout.
4.
Stanley Vincent claimed an LVG two-seater in July, another two seater in September and an Albatros two seater 'Out of control' in early 1917, by now flying the Nieuport 17.
5.
In November 1917 Stanley Vincent was given command of the newly formed No 110 Squadron RAF.
6.
Stanley Vincent was one of the first to be awarded the Air Force Cross in late 1918 and was promoted flight lieutenant in 1920.
7.
Stanley Vincent was involved in the training of the Prince of Wales at this time.
8.
Stanley Vincent's overseas posting finished in 1928 and he travelled home in order to join No 1 Squadron RAF at Tangmere.
9.
Stanley Vincent too was taken ill at the end of 1934 and returned home.
10.
Stanley Vincent often accompanied his station squadrons on scrambles and flew lone 'station defence' sorties.
11.
Stanley Vincent considered personally that he shot down 5 Do 17 enemy bombers on his various sorties.
12.
Stanley Vincent claimed a further two victories on 30 September 1940.
13.
Stanley Vincent later had numerous pieces of shrapnel removed from his back, having narrowly missed his spine.
14.
Stanley Vincent was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1940 in recognition of his skill and bravery.
15.
Stanley Vincent was then appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, a post he held for nine months.
16.
Stanley Vincent returned to England in mid-1943 and to RAF Fighter Command Operations Room, after which he was dispatched to Scotland and the command of No 13 Group.
17.
Stanley Vincent was designated Air Officer Commanding of the planned invasion of Norway.
18.
Stanley Vincent remained in Asia until the end of the war and, on the day of the victory parade, was invalided home with dysentery.
19.
Stanley Vincent was promoted acting air vice marshal in 1944, which was made substantive in 1947.
20.
Stanley Vincent published his autobiography, Flying Fever in 1972 and died in 1976.
21.
On 15 September 2010, a replica Hawker Hurricane gate guardian in the colours of Stanley Vincent's aircraft was unveiled at RAF Northolt.