Fred Stovin-Bradford

Frederick Stovin-Bradford (19 June 1919 – 23 September 1974) was a Royal Navy officer and aviator in the Fleet Air Arm. During his career, Stovin-Bradford was involved in the sinking of the , was one of the youngest officers to be promoted to the rank of captain since Nelson's time, and served as Staff Officer to the Flag Officer of Home Air Command in England and later Chief Staff Officer to the Flag Officer in charge of East Australia. His obituary in The Times described him as one of the most colourful personalities in the Fleet Air Arm. and was educated at Bedford Modern School.

World War II He joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy as a midshipman on 21 November 1938, and was posted to at HMNB Devonport for training, eventually completing the observer's course at in August 1939, for which he was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

He was promoted to sub-lieutenant on 5 November 1940, with seniority from 19 June. After a period of time posted to the Admiralty at the end of 1941, After completing an Air Signaller's course, and from 28 December 1945 commanded 735 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Burscough. as part of 14th Carrier Air Group (14 CAG), also completing courses in fighter combat, ground attack and reconnaissance at the School of Naval Air Warfare. and served as Commanding Officer of 810 Naval Air Squadron (17th Carrier Air Group), and was the first British pilot to land on the , and for his "distinguished service in operations in Korean waters" he was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Service Cross on 29 June 1951.

From 1951 he served as Commander (Air) at the Naval Fighter School at RNAS Culdrose, and then from 1954 was a Staff Officer (Air) to the Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers, According to his obituary, he was one of the youngest officers to be promoted to the rank of captain since the time of Nelson. and from July 1958 to September 1960 was 'on loan' to the Royal Australian Navy, serving as Chief Staff Officer to Flag Officer-in-Charge, East Australia Area, based at . Stovin-Bradford retired from the Navy on 30 July 1965, being made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1966 New Year Honours.

Later life He then returned to Australia to live in Sydney, and to enjoy his wider interests. He was a fine musician, who composed Flying Stations, a special march for the Fleet Air Arm, which received its first public performance at the Royal Tournament at Earls Court in 1963. He was also an avid follower of Rugby Union, having served as President of Barbarian F.C., became a First Grade referee, and was serving as Vice-President of Eastwood Rugby Club at the time of his death.

Stovin-Bradford died in Sydney in 1974 and was survived by his wife and four children.