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{{short description|Royal Air Force officer}}
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{{Infobox Military Person
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
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|name= Guy Rawstron Branch
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
|lived= 1913-1940
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{{Infobox military person
|birth_date = 1913
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| name = Guy Rawstron Branch
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|birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| image = Guy Rawstron Branch.jpg
|death_date = 11 August 1940 (aged 26)
| image_size =
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|death_place = [[English Channel]]
| alt =
|image=
|caption=
| caption =
|nickname=
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1913|10|27}}
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|allegiance=United Kingdom
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| birth_place = [[London]], England
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|serviceyears= 1937–1940
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1940|08|11|1913|10|27}}
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|rank= [[Flying Officer]]
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| death_place = [[English Channel]], off [[Cherbourg]], France
|branch= [[Royal Air Force]]
| placeofburial =
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|commands=
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| allegiance = United Kingdom
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|unit=[[No. 601 Squadron RAF]]<br>[[No. 145 Squadron RAF]]
|battles= [[World War II]]
| branch = [[Royal Air Force]]
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| serviceyears = 1937–1940
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|awards= [[Empire Gallantry Medal]]
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| rank = [[Flying Officer]]
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|laterwork=
|servicenumber =90137
| servicenumber = 90137
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| unit = [[No. 601 Squadron RAF]]<br/>[[No. 145 Squadron RAF]]
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| commands =
| battles = [[Second World War]]
* [[Battle of Britain]] {{KIA}}
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| awards = [[Empire Gallantry Medal]]
| relations =
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| laterwork =
}}
}}
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'''Guy Rawstron Branch''', [[Empire Gallantry Medal|EGM]] (27 October 1913 – 11 August 1940) was a [[Royal Air Force]] fighter pilot and one of "[[The Few]]". He was killed in action on 11 August 1940. Since his death occurred before the introduction of the [[George Cross]] his next-of-kin were not given the opportunity of exchanging the insignia of the [[Empire Gallantry Medal]] for the new award.


⚫
Flying Officer '''Guy Rawstron Branch''' [[Empire Gallantry Medal|EGM]] (1913-1940) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot, one of [[The Few]] he was killed in action on 11 August 1940. After his death the next-of-kin were obliged to exchange his [[Empire Gallantry Medal]] for a [[George Cross]] which had been created in 1940.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Branch was born in 1913 in [[London]] the son of Charles Churchill Branch and Mary Madelaine Bernadette Branch (nee Rawstron). He was educated at [[Eton College]] and then [[Balliol College, Oxford]]<ref name="tribute" /> and on 7 May 1937 was commissioned as Pilot Officer in the [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]]. On 25 March 1939 in [[Lewes]] he married Lady Prudence Mary Pelham the daughter of the 6th [[Earl of Chichester]]
Branch was born on 27 October 1913 in [[London]], the son of Charles Churchill Branch and Mary Madelaine Bernadette Branch (née Rawstron). He was educated at [[Eton College]] and [[Balliol College, Oxford]].<ref name="tribute"/> On 7 May 1937 he was commissioned as a [[pilot officer]] in the [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]]. On 25 March 1939 in [[Lewes]] he married Lady Prudence Mary Pelham, daughter of the 6th [[Earl of Chichester]].


==Accident and award==
==Accident and award==
On 8 January 1938 Branch was a student pilot was flying as a passenger in a [[Hawker Demon]] with Pilot Officer Crawley when it crashed and burst into flames at [[RAF Upavon]].<ref name="award" /> Branch escaped but then returned to the aircraft to free the trapped pilot and pull him clear. For his actions he was awarded the [[Empire Gallantry Medal]] on the 25 March 1938<ref name="award" />
On 8 January 1938 Branch was a student pilot was flying as a passenger in a [[Hawker Demon]] with Pilot Officer Crawley when it crashed and burst into flames at [[RAF Upavon]].<ref name="award"/> Branch escaped but then returned to the aircraft to free the trapped pilot and pull him clear. For his actions he was awarded the [[Empire Gallantry Medal]] on 25 March 1938, the citation reading:<ref name="award"/><ref name="obituary"/>
<ref name="obituary" />:


{{Quotation|On 9th January, 1938 an aircraft in which Pilot Officer Branch was a passenger crashed at Upavon, Wiltshire, and immediately burst into flames. Having extricated himself from the burning aircraft this officer found that the pilot was trapped in the cockpit by his legs. Depsite the danger of the petrol tank exploding, Pilot Officer Branch returned to the blazing wreckage and, whilst actually standing on burning debris, succeeded in extracting the pilot. There is little doubt that this prompt and gallant act saved the pilot's life. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.|London Gazette<ref name="egm" />}}
{{quote|On 9th January, 1938 an aircraft in which Pilot Officer Branch was a passenger crashed at Upavon, Wiltshire, and immediately burst into flames. Having extricated himself from the burning aircraft this officer found that the pilot was trapped in the cockpit by his legs. Despite the danger of the petrol tank exploding, Pilot Officer Branch returned to the blazing wreckage and, whilst actually standing on burning debris, succeeded in extracting the pilot. There is little doubt that this prompt and gallant act saved the pilot's life. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.<ref name="egm"/>}}


==Battle of Britain==
==Battle of Britain==
During the [[Battle of Britain]] Branch by then a Flying Officer was a [[Hawker Hurricane]] pilot with [[No. 145 Squadron RAF|145 Squadron]]. On the 8 August 1940 he was credited with destroying two [[Junkers Ju 87]]s. Two days later on 10 August 1940 while flying Hurricane [[United Kingdom miltary aircraft serials|serial number]] ''P9251'' he was killed in action over the English channel.
During the [[Battle of Britain]] Branch, by then a [[flying officer]], was a [[Hawker Hurricane]] pilot with [[No. 145 Squadron RAF]]. On 8 August 1940 he was credited with destroying two [[Junkers Ju 87]]s. A few days later on 11 August 1940 while flying Hurricane [[United Kingdom military aircraft serials|serial number]] ''P9251'' on a mission to intercept German bombers, a large air battle took place off [[Cherbourg]] in which Branch was shot down and killed.<ref>{{cite web |title=145 Squadron Hurricane I |url=http://aircrewremembered.com/branch-guy.html |website=Aircrew Remembered |accessdate=12 February 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="obituary" />
<ref name="obituary"/>


Branch was buried in the churchyard at [[Quiberville]], [[France]].<ref name="cwgc" /> His name recorded on the [[Battle of Britain Monument in London]]<ref name="boblondon" /> and at the [[Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne]].
Branch was buried in the churchyard at [[Quiberville]], France.<ref name="cwgc"/> His name recorded on the [[Battle of Britain Monument in London]],<ref name="boblondon" /> and at the [[Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne]].

==See also==
* [[List of RAF aircrew in the Battle of Britain]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="egm">{{LondonGazette |issue=34496 |date=25 March 1938 |startpage=2003 |supp= |accessdate=25 March 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="egm">{{London Gazette |issue=34496 |date=25 March 1938 |page=2003 }}</ref>

<ref name="tribute">
<ref name="tribute">
{{Cite newspaper The Times
{{Cite newspaper The Times
|articlename=Personal Tribute - Flying Officer G.R. Branch E.G.M.
|title=Personal Tribute – Flying Officer G.R. Branch E.G.M.
⚫
|department=Obituaries
|author=
⚫
|section=Obituaries
|day_of_week=Wednesday
|date=5 March 1941
|date=5 March 1941
|page_number=7
|page=7
|issue=48866
|issue=48866
|column=C
|column=C
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<ref name="award">
<ref name="award">
{{Cite newspaper The Times
{{Cite newspaper The Times
|articlename=Air Pilot's Life Saved Medal Awarded To A.A.F. Officer
|title=Air Pilot's Life Saved Medal Awarded To A.A.F. Officer
|department=News
|author=
|section=News
|day_of_week=Saturday
|date=26 March 1938
|date=26 March 1938
|page_number=17
|page=17
|issue=47953
|issue=47953
|column=B
|column=B
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<ref name="obituary">
<ref name="obituary">
{{Cite newspaper The Times
{{Cite newspaper The Times
|articlename=Fallen Officers - Royal Air Force
|title=Fallen Officers – Royal Air Force
⚫
|department=Obituaries
|author=
⚫
|section=Obituaries
|day_of_week=Tuesday
|date=4 February 1941
|date=4 February 1941
|page_number=9
|page=9
|issue=48841
|issue=48841
|column=B
|column=B
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
<ref name="cwgc">
<ref name="cwgc">
{{cite web | title= Casualty Details - BRANCH, GUY RAWSTRON | url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2689061| date=| publisher=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]| accessdate=25 March 2010}}</ref>
{{cite web | title= Casualty Details – BRANCH, GUY RAWSTRON | url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2689061| publisher=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]| accessdate=25 March 2010}}</ref>
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<ref name="boblondon">{{cite web| title=List of British Pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain| url=http://www.bbm.org.uk/pilots-b.htm| year=2007| publisher=[[Battle of Britain London Monument]]| accessdate=25 March 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121163102/http://www.bbm.org.uk/pilots-b.htm| archive-date=21 November 2008| url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="boblondon">
⚫
}}
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{{cite web | title= List of British Pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain | url=http://www.bbm.org.uk/pilots-b.htm| date=2007 | publisher=[[Battle of Britain London Monument]]| accessdate=25 March 2010}}</ref>


{{Authority control}}


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}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Guy Rawstron}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, Guy Rawstron}}
[[Category:1913 births]]
[[Category:1913 births]]
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[[Category:Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford]]
[[Category:Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford]]
[[Category:The Few]]
[[Category:The Few]]
[[Category:Burials in France]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Old Etonians]]
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:English aviators]]
[[Category:English aviators]]
[[Category:British military personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Empire Gallantry Medal]]
[[Category:Military personnel from London]]
[[Category:Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents]]

Latest revision as of 03:46, 1 September 2022

Guy Rawstron Branch
Born(1913-10-27)27 October 1913
London, England
Died11 August 1940(1940-08-11) (aged 26)
English Channel, off Cherbourg, France
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1937–1940
RankFlying Officer
Service number90137
UnitNo. 601 Squadron RAF
No. 145 Squadron RAF
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsEmpire Gallantry Medal

Guy Rawstron Branch, EGM (27 October 1913 – 11 August 1940) was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and one of "The Few". He was killed in action on 11 August 1940. Since his death occurred before the introduction of the George Cross his next-of-kin were not given the opportunity of exchanging the insignia of the Empire Gallantry Medal for the new award.

Early life

[edit]

Branch was born on 27 October 1913 in London, the son of Charles Churchill Branch and Mary Madelaine Bernadette Branch (née Rawstron). He was educated at Eton College and Balliol College, Oxford.[1] On 7 May 1937 he was commissioned as a pilot officer in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. On 25 March 1939 in Lewes he married Lady Prudence Mary Pelham, daughter of the 6th Earl of Chichester.

Accident and award

[edit]

On 8 January 1938 Branch was a student pilot was flying as a passenger in a Hawker Demon with Pilot Officer Crawley when it crashed and burst into flames at RAF Upavon.[2] Branch escaped but then returned to the aircraft to free the trapped pilot and pull him clear. For his actions he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal on 25 March 1938, the citation reading:[2][3]

On 9th January, 1938 an aircraft in which Pilot Officer Branch was a passenger crashed at Upavon, Wiltshire, and immediately burst into flames. Having extricated himself from the burning aircraft this officer found that the pilot was trapped in the cockpit by his legs. Despite the danger of the petrol tank exploding, Pilot Officer Branch returned to the blazing wreckage and, whilst actually standing on burning debris, succeeded in extracting the pilot. There is little doubt that this prompt and gallant act saved the pilot's life. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.[4]

Battle of Britain

[edit]

During the Battle of Britain Branch, by then a flying officer, was a Hawker Hurricane pilot with No. 145 Squadron RAF. On 8 August 1940 he was credited with destroying two Junkers Ju 87s. A few days later on 11 August 1940 while flying Hurricane serial number P9251 on a mission to intercept German bombers, a large air battle took place off Cherbourg in which Branch was shot down and killed.[5] [3]

Branch was buried in the churchyard at Quiberville, France.[6] His name recorded on the Battle of Britain Monument in London,[7] and at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Personal Tribute – Flying Officer G.R. Branch E.G.M.". Obituaries. The Times. No. 48866. London. 5 March 1941. col C, p. 7.
  2. ^ a b "Air Pilot's Life Saved Medal Awarded To A.A.F. Officer". News. The Times. No. 47953. London. 26 March 1938. col B, p. 17.
  3. ^ a b "Fallen Officers – Royal Air Force". Obituaries. The Times. No. 48841. London. 4 February 1941. col B, p. 9.
  4. ^ "No. 34496". The London Gazette. 25 March 1938. p. 2003.
  5. ^ "145 Squadron Hurricane I". Aircrew Remembered. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Casualty Details – BRANCH, GUY RAWSTRON". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  7. ^ "List of British Pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain". Battle of Britain London Monument. 2007. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
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