Harold Gibson Lee AFC DFC RAF - 34061
Harold ( pictured above ) came from Victoria, Australia and joined the Air Force in 1934. He trained at Point Cook. After four years he became a pilot with the RAF serving with 24 Squadron out of Hendon. This prestigious unit was engaged in the air transport of VIPs – Cabinet Ministers, Royalty and the like.
During this period he flew various Ministers on a regular basis. These included Secretary of State for Air – Philip Cunliffe-Lister, 1st Viscount Swinton, and his successor Kingsley Wood and the then Secretary of State for War - Leslie Hore-Belisha. Amongst his other VIP passengers were the Duke of Kent and the Under Secretary of State for Air – Captain Harold Balfour. It is claimed Harold got to know several of these personalities quite well.
Harold was awarded an AFC for his work with 24 Squadron pre-war.
When war broke out Harold was posted to 103 Squadron and went to France as a Squadron Leader/Flight Commander. He broke his leg in June 1940 baling on return from a night op and was awarded a DFC on return to the UK.
When Harold recovered he was promoted to W/C and posted back to 24 Squadron where he took over command of this unit for three months from April 1941. This period was not a happy one it seems. Harold was relieved of his command in June 41 and then shunted around various stations for several months.
At this juncture he requested to be retired but told this was not possible as there was a war on but he could resign if he wished which he did.
When he arrived home in Australia Harold got a post with Quantas and flew Catalinas from Ceylon to Perth when the Australia/England air link was re-established in 1943.
In mid 1943 a very long letter about this business arrived at 10 Downing Street from Australia addressed to Winston Churchill. Copies were also received by several of Harold’s VIP acquaintances.
It was all passed on to the Dominion Office who dealt with the issues raised directly with the Australian High Commission.
Nothing came of it and the matter was dropped. There was a war on and people had more important issues to deal with I suppose.
Compiled by David Fell with thanks to Iain T. Photo from my archive.
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