Crelin Bodie

Crelin Bodie, (April 1920 – 24 February 1942) was a British flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least ten aircraft.

Born in Kirton, Bodie joined the RAF in 1939 and after completing his flying training was posted to No. 66 Squadron in May the following year. He flew Supermarine Spitfire fighters extensively during the squadron's operations in the Battle of Britain, achieving several aerial victories. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross towards the end of 1940. He subsequently flew with No. 310 Squadron and then No. 152 Squadron. He was killed in a flying accident at Eglinton in Northern Ireland on 24 February 1942, aged 21.

Early life Crelin Arthur Walford, the son of Henry and Elsie Bodie, was born in April 1920 at Kirton in the county of Suffolk in the United Kingdom. He went to school at St. Matthew's School, before proceeding to Ipswich School. Once his education was completed, he worked in London at commercial premises.

Second World War A few weeks after the outbreak of the Second World War, Bodie joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) on a short service commission; he had applied shortly before the outbreak of hostilities. In May 1940, once his flight training was completed, he was posted to No. 66 Squadron.

On 14 November, with the Battle of Britain officially over, Bodie probably destroyed one more Bf 109, this time over Dover. At the suggestion of his squadron commander, Athol Forbes, Bodie wrote an account of his experiences during the Battle of Britain, and this was subsequently edited and published in 1942 as a chapter in the book 'Ten Fighter Boys'.

Later war service No. 66 Squadron's activities declined during the winter months due to the weather. However, on 20 December, Bodie, flying with Flight Lieutenant G. Christie, made one of Fighter Command's earliest hit-and-run sorties to France, successfully attacking an airfield at Le Touquet. In early 1941 the squadron began to reequip with Mk IIa Spitfires.

In March, Bodie was posted to No. 310 Squadron as an acting flight lieutenant.

Bodie was transferred to the Spitfire-equipped No. 152 Squadron in June. His DFC is held by his former school, Ipswich School.

Bodie is credited with having shot down ten German aircraft, half of which being shared with other pilots. One aerial victory was unconfirmed and he is also credited with ten probably destroyed, two shared with other pilots. He damaged three aircraft and shared in damaging a fourth.