Osgood Hanbury
Royal Air Force flying ace of the Second World War
About Osgood Hanbury
Lived 1917 – 1943 (aged 25). Osgood Hanbury was a British airman.
Osgood Philip Villiers "Pedro" Hanbury, (13 September 1917 – 3 June 1943) was a British Royal Air Force flying ace of the Second World War. He had scored 11 victories before he was killed in action in 1943.
Early life Hanbury was the son of Major Philip Hanbury and Dorothy Maud Margary. He was educated at Eton College and after training received a short service commission in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 30 June 1940.
Second World War Hanbury initially served as a Westland Lysander pilot, carrying out liaison duties in the British Isles. On 3 September 1940, during the Battle of Britain, Hanbury volunteered to transfer to Fighter Command and was posted to No. 602 Squadron RAF. On 22 May 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) after leading a defensive operation against an enemy air raid on Tobruk. On 23 June 1942 Hanbury became commanding officer of the squadron and was promoted to flight officer. On 28 July 1942 he received a Bar to his DFC for his leadership of No. 260 Squadron and his actions against the enemy. On 20 April 1943 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
Hanbury was killed on 3 June 1943 while travelling as a passenger on a Lockheed Hudson of No. 117 Squadron RAF piloted by Robert Yaxley, which was shot down by a German aircraft over the Bay of Biscay. He had scored a total of 11 confirmed victories at the time of his death.
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Important facts
People in Osgood Hanbury's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Osgood Hanbury's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Osgood Hanbury?
Royal Air Force flying ace of the Second World War (1917-1943)
When was Osgood Hanbury born?
Osgood Hanbury was born on 13 September 1917 in Richmond.
When did Osgood Hanbury die?
Osgood Hanbury died on 3 June 1943 in Bay of Biscay.
What was Osgood Hanbury's occupation?
Osgood Hanbury was an airman.
What nationality was Osgood Hanbury?
Osgood Hanbury was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Osgood Hanbury. https://biography.guide/osgood-hanbury/
MLA: "Osgood Hanbury." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/osgood-hanbury/.
Chicago: "Osgood Hanbury." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/osgood-hanbury/.
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