Air Marshal Sir Edward 'Tap' Gordon Jones KCB CB CBE OBE DSO DFC, Greek DFC, RAF no.

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Air Marshal Sir Edward 'Tap' Gordon Jones KCB CB CBE OBE DSO DFC, Greek DFC, RAF no. 37357


http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_jones.htm

31 August 1914 – 20 February 2007




'Tap' Jones (middle) in late 1940. Edward 'Tap' Gordon Jones was born on 31 August 1914 in Lancashire and was brought up in Widnes, near Liverpool.
After school he entered Liverpool University to study Medicine before deciding to pursue veterinary science. Although he loved shooting, gun dogs and the outdoor life he had no real interest in being a vet, his sole ambition being to fly with the RAF. He neglected his studies, concentrating on rugby and courting his future wife, a fellow student. Eventually, his powerful mother gave up and let him join the RAF.
He joined the RAF in 1935, and in 1937 was serving as Pilot Officer in 17 Squadron's 'B' Flight on Gauntlets, from which 80 Squadron was formed in March of that year; he became the unit's first adjutant in May.
He was married in 1938 to Margery Hatfield.
He was promoted Flying Officer and went with the squadron to the Middle East in April 1938, becoming a flight commander in March 1940.
On 28 June 1940, after the Italian entry into the war, he took command of the flight formed in the squadron with the first Hurricanes.
He became temporary commanding officer on 19 August 1940, but after the arrival of the new CO, was to lead a flight of Gladiators to Greece on 18 November.

[Antipodean Andy]

Can you imagine the size of his business card with all those letters after his name?!