Brian PADDON
- Extended Description
- Group Captain Brian PADDON Royal Air Force
Born 24 August 1908 at Carshalton, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. Son of the Reverend Charles Salmon Paddon and his wife Nellie Symington Paddon. 1911 Census of Redruth in Cornwall, Paddon, aged two, living with his parents at Lannarth Vicarage. Joined the RAF on a short service commission as a pilot officer (on probation) in June 1929. He obtained his Royal Aero Club Aviator's Licence 10796 on 3 September 1932.
Paddon was shot down flying Bristol Blenheim L8827 of No. 40 Squadron RAF during an attack at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux on 6 June 1940 as part of the Battle of France. He was captured and became a prisoner of war first to interrogation and transit camp of Dulag luft, he was first sent to Oflag IX-A/H at Spangenberg, before shortly afterwards leaving for Stalag Luft I at Barth, arriving there on 12 July 1940. After several escape attempts from various camps, he was sent to Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle, arriving there on 14 May 1941 with three other officers, including Airey Neave.
Awarded the Distinguished Service Order and promoted to group captain. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He remarried in 1948 to Anita Williams and had a further three daughters. He died in retirement in Rhodesia 1967.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Paddon
