![]() ![]() Īs part of the Advanced Training Squadron, during summer 1937, he participated in further training at No. 6 Flying Training School RAF, RAF Netheravon. He then underwent further flying training as a member of the junior section of No. He was commissioned with the rank of acting pilot officer with effect from 31 January 1937. 24 (Training) Group at RAF Uxbridge for his RAF basic training. Owing to poor weather the course did not conclude until 1 January 1937. 6 Flying Training Course and with civilian instructors. Gibson commenced his flying training on 16 November 1936 at the Bristol Flying School, Yatesbury, with No. Initial military service Initial military training ![]() He commenced a short service commission in November 1936. His later application was successful, and his personal file included the remark "satisfactory leg length test carried out". Gibson applied to the RAF, but was rejected when he failed the Medical Board the probable reason that his legs were too short. He wrote for advice to Vickers, receiving a reply from their chief test pilot, Captain Joseph "Mutt" Summers, who wrote that Gibson should first learn to fly by joining the RAF on a short service commission. His ambition was to become a civilian test pilot. He had a picture of his boyhood hero, Albert Ball VC, the First World War flying ace, on his bedroom wall at his aunt's house. He read all kinds of books, especially the Arthurian legends and Shakespeare. At one stage as a teenager, he seems to have become interested and quite expert in the workings of cinema organs. His interests included science and photography. Gibson was an average student academically and played for the Rugby Second XV. They also both attended some school functions to support their nephews. Her husband, John, helped Nora out with school fees. Nora's younger sister, Mrs Beatrice ("Gwennie") Christopher, gave Gibson his own room at her house. ![]() The school organised lodgings for Gibson and his brother during the school holidays. Her behaviour became increasingly erratic and sometimes violent towards her children. įollowing her return from India, Gibson's mother developed a drinking problem which escalated into alcoholism. "Freddie" Yorke who became Gibson's guardian. In 1932 Gibson started at St Edward's School, Oxford, the same school as Douglas Bader where he was also placed in the same house, Cowell's. His mother then moved to London and he was sent as a boarder to Earl's Avenue School, a preparatory school, later known as St George's, in Folkestone, Kent. Gibson started school in England at the same school as his sister, West Cornwall College. Īs her family came from Porthleven, Cornwall, Nora Gibson settled first in Penzance. His mother was granted custody of Gibson, his elder brother Alexander ("Alick") and sister Joan, and decided to return to England. In 1924, when he was six, his parents separated. At the time of Gibson's birth, his father was an officer in the Imperial Indian Forestry Service, becoming the Chief Conservator of Forests for the Simla Hill States in 1922. Gibson was born in Simla, British India, on 12 August 1918, the son of Alexander James Gibson and his wife Leonora (Nora) Mary Gibson. He completed over 170 war operations before being killed in action at the age of 26. ![]() He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, in the aftermath of the raid in May 1943 and became the most highly decorated British serviceman at that time. 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the breaching of two large dams in the Ruhr area of Germany. He was the first Commanding Officer of No. Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC* (12 August 1918 – 19 September 1944) was a distinguished bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) ![]()
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