Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War D.F.C. and Bar, A.F.C. group of seven attributed to Wing Commander R. C. Patrick, Royal Air Force, a long-served and gallant Coastal Command pilot who participated in at least four strikes against U-Boats

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘1941’, and privately inscribed, ‘R. C. Patrick, R.A.F.’, and the reverse of the Bar officially dated ‘1944’; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (7) £1600-1800

D.F.C. London Gazette 26 September 1941. The original recommendation states:

‘This officer has been a member of the unit since August 1939. His qualities of endurance are exceptional and he has completed 900 hours operational flying without showing any signs of strain. His keenness to seek and engage the enemy has been outstanding, while his unfailing cheerfulness under all conditions has been an inspiration to the less experienced pilots of the unit.

In July 1940, Flying Officer Patrick carried out two attacks on enemy dockyards when direct hits were registered in spite of the intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. On another occasion, Flying Officer Patrick carried out a daring attack on De Kooy aerodrome buildings. This officer has recently been employed on special long range operations in Hudson aircraft. These he has carried out most zealously and with great accuracy.’

Bar to D.F.C. London Gazette 5 May 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Squadron Leader Patrick, who has completed a second tour of operational duty, has been in command of his squadron since April 1942. During that period, he has taken part in four attacks on U-Boats and has displayed flying ability of a high order. By his keenness and skill, he has set an inspiring example to the other members of his squadron.’

A.F.C. London Gazette 7 September 1945.

Richard Cecil Patrick, who was born in October 1917, was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on joining No. 206 Squadron, a Coastal Command unit operating out of Bircham Newton in Hudsons (and later Ansons), on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939, the beginning of a long tour of operations - the unit’s Operational Record Book (O.R.B.) confirms him as having participated in over 80 sorties in the period leading up to December 1940, and another dozen or so from March to September 1941, in which latter month his D.F.C. was gazetted. Such sorties mainly comprised reconnaissance work, convoy patrols and anti-submarine operations, the latter including an attack on a U-Boat off Lundy Island on 20 September 1939 - ‘Dropped two 100lb. A./S. bombs. Sub. estimated sunk.’ Patrick also attacked three E-Boats with machine-gun and cannon fire in April 1941.

Returning to No. 206 Squadron for a second tour of operations in the following year, as Acting Squadron Leader - and latterly piloting Fortress aircraft - he participated in at least four anti-U-boat strikes, one of them, on 9 February 1943, bearing all the hallmarks of a successful “kill” - ‘Attacked U-Boat, direct hit. U-Boat lifted bodily, slewed 30 degrees. U-Boat sank straight down and an uprush of bubbles was seen’ (206’s O.R.B. refers). In another attack with six depth-charges on 24 April, a U-Boat was seen to crash-dive and left ‘a slight scum on the surface afterwards.’

Patrick, who also piloted one of 12 squadron Ansons in the “Thousand Bomber Raid” on Bremen in late June 1942, was finally “rested” in February 1944, returning to the U.K. from 206’s latest base at Lagens in the Azores. He was awarded a Bar to his D.F.C.; see the excellent website www.coastalcommand206.com for a full account of 206’s activities in the 1939-45 War, and mention of Patrick.

Subsequently awarded the A.F.C. in September 1945, Patrick held a regular commission after the War’s end, was advanced to Wing Commander in July 1955 and was placed on the Retired List in October 1964.