Osgood Hanbury
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Osgood Hanbury | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Pedro |
| Born | 13 September 1917 |
| Died | 3 June 1943 (aged 25) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Service years | 1940–1943 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Service number | 81357 |
| Unit | No. 602 Squadron RAF (1940–41) |
| Commands | No. 260 Squadron RAF (1942–43) |
| Conflicts | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Osgood Philip Villiers "Pedro" Hanbury, DSO, DFC & Bar (13 September 1917 – 3 June 1943) was a British Royal Air Force flying ace of the Second World War. He had scored 11 victories before he was killed in action in 1943.
Hanbury was the son of Major Philip Hanbury and Dorothy Maud Margary.[1] He was educated at Eton College and after training received a short service commission in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 30 June 1940.[2][3]
Second World War
Hanbury initially served as a Westland Lysander pilot, carrying out liaison duties in the British Isles. On 3 September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Hanbury volunteered to transfer to Fighter Command and was posted to No. 602 Squadron RAF.[1] He soon scored several victories in aerial battles over the English Channel and southern England flying X4382, a late production Supermarine Spitfire Mk I. By the end of 1940 he had four confirmed victories.
In May 1941 he was transferred to No. 260 Squadron RAF, based in the Middle East and North Africa, and operated Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. On 22 May 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) after leading a defensive operation against an enemy air raid on Tobruk.[4] On 23 June 1942 Hanbury became commanding officer of the squadron and was promoted to flight officer. On 28 July 1942 he received a Bar to his DFC for his leadership of No. 260 Squadron and his actions against the enemy.[5] On 20 April 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[6]
Hanbury was killed on 3 June 1943 while travelling as a passenger on a Lockheed Hudson of No. 117 Squadron RAF piloted by Robert Yaxley, which was shot down by a German aircraft over the Bay of Biscay. He had scored a total of 11 confirmed victories at the time of his death.[1]
