Dennis David

William Dennis David, (25 July 1918 – 25 August 2000) was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. He is credited with at least seventeen aerial victories.

Born in Surbiton, David joined the RAF in 1938 on a short service commission. Serving with No. 87 Squadron on the outbreak of the Second World War, he flew extensively in the Battle of France and claimed several aerial victories during this time. On return to the United Kingdom, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar in recognition of his successes. He claimed more aerial victories in the Battle of Britain. He spent much of 1941 to 1942 on instructing duties before going to the Middle East to serve as a staff officer there. In July 1943, he commanded No. 89 Squadron for a number of months before spending the rest of the war in staff roles. He remained in the RAF in the post-war period, eventually rising to the rank of Group Captain by the time of his retirement in 1967. In civilian life, he started an engineering company and was involved in veteran's affairs. Having published his autobiography the previous year, he died on 25 August 2000, aged 82.

Early life William Dennis David was born on 25 July 1918 in Surbiton, in what was then the English county of Surrey but now Greater London. His early childhood was spent at Tongwynlais, in Wales, where his family had moved after his birth. The family later returned to Surrey and David was educated at Surbiton County School. Once his education was completed, he worked in a family member's footwear and clothing firm. The citation for the Bar was published five days later, and read:

Battle of Britain At the start of July, No. 87 Squadron moved to Exeter, as part of No. 10 Group which defended the south-west coast of England. It remained here for the duration of the Battle of Britain. On 11 August, David shot down a Bf 109 and Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber to the south-west of Portland Bill. On 15 August, he destroyed a Ju 87 to the east of Portland Bill. He shot down a Ju 88 to the west of Portland Harbour on 25 August, also claiming the destruction of a Bf 109 the same day. On 3 September, he was promoted to flying officer. The next day, during a night sortie, he engaged an unidentified German aircraft and claimed it as damaged. On 15 September, what is now known as Battle of Britain Day, he shot down a He 111 to the southwest of Bolt Head.

In mid-October, David was posted to No. 213 Squadron, also based at Exeter, as a flight commander. he was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1943 New Year Honours. A Bristol Beaufighter heavy fighter of No. 89 Squadron at Castel Benito In February 1943, David was assigned to No. 209 Group, stationed in the Middle East, as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO). After six months service in this role, he returned to operational duties with a promotion to acting wing commander and a posting to lead No. 89 Squadron. This was based at Castel Benito in Libya, operating the Bristol Beaufighter heavy fighter on intruder missions to German-occupied Crete. In October, the squadron was transferred to British India, stationed in Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka). David led it in the Burma campaign until March 1944, at which time he was appointed sector commander at Trincomalee. Two months later, he was given command of the RAF stations at Minneriya and then Kankesanturai. In 1949, he was posted to the Middle East to command a wing of fighter jets, based at Deversoir near the Suez Canal. He served as an Honorary Aide to Viscount Trenchard, up until the latter's death in early 1956. He was Air Attaché at the British embassy in Budapest during the Hungarian uprising later that year; at this time, he assisted many people in escaping the country.

Promoted to group captain on 1 July 1960, David was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1961 New Year Honours. David retired from the RAF in May 1967, still holding the rank of group captain.

Later life Returning to civilian life, David established an engineering firm, Dove Enterprises. He was a consultant on two military aviation themed films, Battle of Britain, released in 1969, and Aces High, released in 1976. He was active in veteran's affairs, being involved with the RAF Benevolent Fund and Royal Air Forces Association. He was also president of the Hurricane Society. Made a freeman of London in 1991, his autobiography was published in 1999 as Dennis 'Hurricane' David. Having retired to West London, he died on 25 August 2000, survived by his wife Margaret.

David is credited with having destroyed seventeen aircraft, two of which were shared with other pilots. Five more destroyed aircraft were unconfirmed. He is also credited with four damaged aircraft.