15 July 1940
Flying Officer Anthony Phillip Gray joins No.615 Squadron as a reinforcement where he is assigned to A Flight. He was born on 9th November 1912 in Maidenhead (Berkshire, England) where he was educated at the Dragon School (Oxford) and the Uppingham School (Rutland). After a year’s study in France (Paris) where he played mainly rugby, he joined the No.601 (County of London) Squadron thanks to his godfather Sir Philip Sassoon (Honorary C.O. and Secretary of State for Air) in November 1932. However, he joined the reserve of the Auxiliary Air Force in November 1937. Recalled when the war broke out, he initially served as a controller before being reintegrated into the flying personnel. After a brief stint at No.7 (RAF) OTU, he joined No.615 Squadron.[1]
Flying Officer Anthony Phillip Gray. Collection : Battle of Britain London Monument
The B Flight takes off at 08:30 to reach Hawkinge airfield once again. Several patrols are carried out over Dover between 10:30 and 11.55, with no particular events to report. These flights probably took place as part of the protection of the maritime convoy F.N.223 (Pilot), in the vicinity of which several German reconnaissance aircraft are reported. The pilots returned to Kenley in the early afternoon.
[1] WYNN, Kenneth G. Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few. Frontline Books, 2015 ; Battle of Britain London Monument – Flying Officer A.P. Gray : http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/GrayAP.htm ; 601 (County of London) Squadron – Gray, Anthony Phillip : http://601squadron.com/men-of-601-squadron/f-through-j/gray-anthony-phillip/ ; The London Gazette – 29 November 1932 : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33887/page/7591 ; The London Gazette – 19 June 1934 : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34061/page/3908 ; The London Gazette – 1 March 1938 : https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34488/page/1352
