Hugh Tamblyn

In December 1939, Tamblyn was posted to the newly formed No. 141 Squadron.^[2] Based at Turnhouse, this was formed as the RAF's second squadron to operate the Boulton Paul Defiant turret fighter but at the time Tamblyn arrived, it had yet to receive its full complement of the aircraft due to production delays. Some pilots had to train on Bristol Blenheims and Fairey Battles. The Defiants began arriving in April and the squadron became operational on 9 July with a move south, to West Malling.^[4][5]

During the early stages of the Battle of Britain, No. 141 Squadron was engaged in patrols over the English Channel, staging from Hawkinge.^[4] On 19 July, nine Defiants, Tamblyn's among them, were scrambled to intercept German bombers heading towards shipping transiting the English Channel.^[6] The Defiants were intercepted by Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters, which shot down or severely damaged seven of the British fighters. Tamblyn escaped with his aircraft undamaged, and he and his gunner, Sergeant S. Powell, combined to shoot down a Bf 109 several miles off Folkestone.^[7][8] As a result of its losses, the squadron was withdrawn and sent north to Prestwick to recover.^[4][9]

In August Tamblyn was posted to No. 242 Squadron. Based at Coltishall, the unit operated the Hawker Hurricane fighter and was becoming increasingly involved in the aerial fighting over London and southeast England.^[10] Tamblyn, who had been promoted to flying officer earlier in the month,^[11] shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter near Chelmsford and also probably destroyed a Bf 109 on 7 September. Two days later he destroyed two Bf 110s over south London. On 15 September, now known as Battle of Britain Day, he shared in the destruction of a Dornier Do 17 medium bomber to the southeast of Hornchurch. Tambyn damaged a Bf 109 over the English Channel on 27 September.^[7]

By October, the Luftwaffe was decreasing its operations over England and No. 242 Squadron started carrying out night fighter operations from Duxford.^[10] Tamblyn was recognised for his successes in the fighting over England with an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 7 January 1941.^[2] The citation, published in The London Gazette, read:

Flying Officer Tamblyn has shown the greatest keenness to engage the enemy and has destroyed at least five of their aircraft. He has set a splendid example to the other members of his section.

In early 1941, No. 242 Squadron began carrying out offensive operations to German-occupied France as part of the RAF's Circus offensive as well as convoy patrols.^[10] On 25 February, Tamblyn damaged a Do 17.^[7] He was invested with his DFC by King George VI in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 1 April. Two days later he was on a patrol near Felixstowe when his Hurricane was damaged in an engagement with the Luftwaffe. He came down in the English Channel but died of exposure before he could be rescued. At the time of his death, he held the rank of flight lieutenant.^[2][7]

Tamblyn's body was recovered and he is buried at Ipswich New Cemetery in Ipswich.^[1][13] He is credited with having destroyed six German aircraft, one shared with another pilot, and the probable destruction of a seventh. He also damaged two aircraft.^[7]

• Rawlings, John (1976). Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: MacDonald & James. ISBN 0-354-01028-X.
• Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII. London: Grub Street. ISBN 1-8-9869-7000.
• Verkaik, Robert (2020). Defiant: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain. London: Robinson. ISBN 978-1-4721-4355-6.
• Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). Men of the Battle of Britain: A Biographical Directory of the Few. Barnsley: Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-39901-465-6.