John B. Selby

Wing Commander John Beauchamp Selby, (19 March 1915 – 17 February 1991) was a Royal Air Force flying ace during the Second World War. He was credited with 5 aerial victories.

Early life Selby was born in London on 19 March 1915. He attended the Oratory School in Berkshire. Prior to the Second World War he worked in a number of professions including in advertising, broadcasting and also concert performance. and the Distinguished Service Order in February 1943.

From February to April 1943 he was on leave and during this time he assisted Fitzroy Maclean in supply missions to the Yugoslav Partisans.

In April 1943 Selby was promoted to wing commander, taking over command of No. 23 Squadron at RAF Luqa, Malta equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito on 25 April. The squadron was employed on intruder and ground attack duties, but had suffered heavy losses over the previous few months. On the night of 20/21 July 1943 he claimed his 5th aerial victory, a Heinkel He 111 shot down near Lecce in southern Italy, attaining flying ace status. He remained in command of 23 Squadron until 5 September 1943.

Post war

Following his retirement from the RAF in 1947, Selby worked for a time with the BBC's overseas service. He also ran his own business in Rome, worked in the City of London as well as the Middle East and Geneva. He retired in 1978 and moved to Vence in Alpes Maritime, where he died on 17 February 1991. He was married with two children.