Tim Vigors D.F.C.
Wing Commander Timothy Ashmead " Tim " Vigors D.F.C. ( March 22nd, 1921 - November 14th, 2003 ) was born at Hatfield ( Hertfordshire, England ). The family were landowners in County Carlow and owned Tullamaine Castle stud in County Tipperary ( both in Ireland ). " Tim " grew up near Melton Mowbray ( Leicestershire, England ) and was educated at Eton College ( Berkshire, England ).
After leaving he did six months cramming and passed the entrance examination for the R.A.F. College Cranwell ( Lincolnshire, England ), entering it in January 1939 as a Flight Cadet ( graduated on December 23rd, 1939 ). He first joined No. 266 " Rhodesia " Squadron at R.A.F. Sutton Bridge ( Lincolnshire, January 6th, 1940 ), then was posted to No. 12 Group Pool at R.A.F. Aston Down ( Gloucestershire, England, January 17th ), converting to Bristol Blenheims.
" Tim " joined No. 222 " Natal " Squadron at R.A.F. Duxford ( Cambridgeshire, England, February 24th ). The Squadron was re - equipped with Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia's in March. Throughout the Second World War, " Tim " fought over Dunkirk ( Nord, France ), during the Battle of Britain, in Singapore as Flight Commander ( No. 243 Squadron ), then as C.O. ( No. 453 Squadron, R.A.A.F. ), and in Malaya ( present - day Malaysia ). Subsequently he assumed various commands in India before returning to United Kingdom in early 1945. Having made two crash landings, shot down once ( badly burned and wounded in the thigh ) and awarded the D.F.C., his final tally of aerial victories was 6 / 7 kills, 10 probables and 5 damaged.
" Tim " retired from the R.A.F. on November 8th, 1946, as a Squadron Leader ( S/Ldr ), retaining the rank of Wing Commander ( W/Cdr ). He began civilian life by setting up a photographic agency in Ireland, but then joined the bloodstock auctioneers Goffs. In 1951, he left to start his own bloodstock agency. He also set up a firm specialising in private and executive aircraft ( late 1950s ), then returned to the bloodstock business, where he had considerable success.
He moved to Ireland ( 1968 ), then went to live in Spain ( mid - 1970s ) before returning to Newmarket ( Suffolk, England, early 1980s ).
Married four times and father of six children, " Tim " passed away at Cambridge ( Cambridgeshire, England ), at the age of 82.
( sources : Wikipedia, www.bbm.org.uk, amp.en.google-info.org, aircrewremembered.com )