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Hugh Dundas

December 02, 2023

Sir Hugh Spencer Lisle Dundas, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC (22 July 1920 – 10 July 1995),[1] nicknamed "Cocky", was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War and later a senior broadcasting executive. He was promoted to squadron leader and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at the age of 21, advanced to wing commander at 22 and,[2] at 23, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and became one of the youngest group captains in the RAF. Dundas retired from the RAF in 1949, and was knighted in 1987 for his services to business and the media.

Sir Hugh Dundas
Dundas at RAF Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 2 January 1942
Nickname(s)Cocky
Born(1920-07-22)22 July 1920
Doncaster, England
Died10 July 1995(1995-07-10) (aged 74)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Air Force
Years of service1938–1949
RankGroup Captain
Commands heldNo. 601 Squadron RAF (1948–49)
No. 324 Wing RAF (1943–45)
No. 56 Squadron RAF (1941–42)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsKnight Bachelor
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Distinguished Flying Cross
Mentioned in Despatches
RelationsJohn Dundas (brother)
Other workCompany director

Early life edit

Born in Doncaster, on 2 July 1920, Dundas was a scion of a noble family. He was the grandson of the Scottish Liberal politician John Dundas and a great-great-grandson of Lawrence Dundas, 1st Earl of Zetland.[3] Dundas was also related to the Earl of Halifax.[4] Like his elder brother John, he became fascinated by the idea of flying from childhood, and he joined the Auxiliary Air Force (AuxAF) straight after leaving Stowe School in 1938. On 23 July 1939, the day after his 19th birthday, he was commissioned an acting pilot officer in the AuxAF.[5] He was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer on 2 October, with the service number 91001.[6]

Second World War edit

Dundas was called up early in the Second World War, serving with No. 616 Squadron flying Spitfires. He was shot down on 22 August 1940 and wounded during the Battle of Britain, but returned to his squadron in September. His brother John, a 12-kill ace with No. 609 Squadron, was killed in action in November 1940 after shooting down Helmut Wick, the top–scoring German ace at the time. Dundas was promoted to flying officer (war substantive) on 2 October.[7]

In early 1941, No. 616 Squadron was a part of the RAF Tangmere Wing, under the command of Wing Commander Douglas Bader. Through the summer of 1941 Dundas frequently flew with Bader's section, gradually building his reputation as a competent fighter pilot and tactician. By now an acting flight lieutenant, he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on 5 August 1941. The citation read:

Acting Flight Lieutenant Hugh Spencer Lisle Dundas (91001), Auxiliary Air Force, No. 616 Squadron. This officer has shown unflagging courage in the face of the enemy and the utmost tenacity in supporting his leader. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged others.[8]

In September 1941, Dundas was posted as an instructor to No. 59 Operational Training Unit, but his scruffiness and unruly pet dog did not endear him to the commanding officer, Group Captain Stanley Vincent, and he was transferred promptly as a flight commander with No. 610 Squadron. Promoted to flight lieutenant (war substantive) on 2 October, he was subsequently promoted to acting squadron leader and posted as commanding officer of No. 56 Squadron RAF in December, the first to be equipped with the Hawker Typhoon.[9] He was mentioned in despatches on 1 January 1943, and was promoted to squadron leader (war substantive) on 11 February.[10][11]

Posted to the Mediterranean in 1943, he led No. 324 (Spitfire) Wing from Malta and through Italy. He was awarded his first Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 3 March 1944. In June, Dundas was promoted to the acting rank of group captain at the age of only 23. He led No. 244 Wing from June 1944, and was promoted to wing commander (war substantive) on 11 May 1945.[12] His war time score was 4 enemy aircraft destroyed, 6 shared destroyed, 2 shared probables, and 2 and 1 shared damaged.[citation needed]

Post-war career and later life edit

On 1 September 1945, Dundas was granted a permanent commission in the RAF, in the rank of flight lieutenant.[13] He was promoted to the temporary rank of squadron leader on 3 December 1946 (seniority from 1 July 1945).[14] On 25 January 1947, however, he retired from the RAF, retaining the rank of group captain.[15]

Dundas continued to serve in the reconstituted AuxAF following his retirement from active service. He was commissioned as a flying officer in the AuxAF on 8 August 1947 (seniority from 23 April).[16] On the following 1 June, he received a double promotion to squadron leader in the AuxAF, and was given command of No. 601 (County of London) Squadron, but resigned his commission on 6 October 1949.[17][18] He was also the air correspondent for the Daily Express newspaper.[19]

Dundas joined Rediffusion Limited in 1961, becoming a director in 1966, and served as Chairman of Thames Television until 1987. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant on 7 October 1968.[20] As managing director of British Electric Traction, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1977 New Year Honours.[21] As the firm's subsequent chairman, Dundas was knighted in the 1987 Birthday Honours.[22] He served as High Sheriff of Surrey for 1989.[23]

References edit

  1. ^ Christopher Foxley-Norris (18 September 2011). "Sir Hugh Dundas". The Independent.
  2. ^ . www.sciencemuseum.org.uk. Archived from the original on 19 March 2010.
  3. ^ Bishop 2004, p. 76.
  4. ^ Franks 1980, p. 178.
  5. ^ "No. 34652". The London Gazette. 8 August 1939.
  6. ^ "No. 35097". The London Gazette. 7 March 1941.
  7. ^ "No. 35106". The London Gazette. 14 March 1941.
  8. ^ "No. 35238". The London Gazette. 5 August 1941.
  9. ^ "No. 35387". The London Gazette. 19 December 1941.
  10. ^ "No. 35841". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 December 1942.
  11. ^ "No. 35989". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 April 1943.
  12. ^ "No. 37141". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 June 1945.
  13. ^ "No. 37518". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 March 1946.
  14. ^ "No. 37804". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 November 1946.
  15. ^ "No. 37883". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 February 1947.
  16. ^ "No. 38090". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 October 1947.
  17. ^ "No. 38344". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 July 1948.
  18. ^ "No. 38826". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 January 1950.
  19. ^ Hugh Dundas
  20. ^ "No. 44693". The London Gazette. 10 October 1968.
  21. ^ "No. 47102". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1976.
  22. ^ "No. 50948". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1987.
  23. ^ "No. 51678". The London Gazette. 17 March 1989.

Further reading edit

  • Dundas, Hugh. (1990). Flying Start: A Fighter Pilot's War Years. [Hardcover]. St Martins Pr. Book Club. ISBN 0-3120-3967-0 or ISBN 978-0-3120-3967-7
  • Shores, William. (1990). Aces High. Grub Street.

External links edit

  • Obituary

December 02, 2023
hugh, dundas, hugh, spencer, lisle, dundas, july, 1920, july, 1995, nicknamed, cocky, fighter, pilot, royal, force, during, second, world, later, senior, broadcasting, executive, promoted, squadron, leader, awarded, distinguished, flying, cross, advanced, wing. Sir Hugh Spencer Lisle Dundas CBE DSO amp Bar DFC 22 July 1920 10 July 1995 1 nicknamed Cocky was a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force RAF during the Second World War and later a senior broadcasting executive He was promoted to squadron leader and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross at the age of 21 advanced to wing commander at 22 and 2 at 23 was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and became one of the youngest group captains in the RAF Dundas retired from the RAF in 1949 and was knighted in 1987 for his services to business and the media Sir Hugh DundasDundas at RAF Duxford Cambridgeshire 2 January 1942Nickname s CockyBorn 1920 07 22 22 July 1920Doncaster EnglandDied10 July 1995 1995 07 10 aged 74 AllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchRoyal Air ForceYears of service1938 1949RankGroup CaptainCommands heldNo 601 Squadron RAF 1948 49 No 324 Wing RAF 1943 45 No 56 Squadron RAF 1941 42 Battles warsSecond World WarAwardsKnight BachelorCommander of the Order of the British EmpireDistinguished Service Order amp BarDistinguished Flying CrossMentioned in DespatchesRelationsJohn Dundas brother Other workCompany director Contents 1 Early life 2 Second World War 3 Post war career and later life 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksEarly life editBorn in Doncaster on 2 July 1920 Dundas was a scion of a noble family He was the grandson of the Scottish Liberal politician John Dundas and a great great grandson of Lawrence Dundas 1st Earl of Zetland 3 Dundas was also related to the Earl of Halifax 4 Like his elder brother John he became fascinated by the idea of flying from childhood and he joined the Auxiliary Air Force AuxAF straight after leaving Stowe School in 1938 On 23 July 1939 the day after his 19th birthday he was commissioned an acting pilot officer in the AuxAF 5 He was confirmed in the rank of pilot officer on 2 October with the service number 91001 6 Second World War editDundas was called up early in the Second World War serving with No 616 Squadron flying Spitfires He was shot down on 22 August 1940 and wounded during the Battle of Britain but returned to his squadron in September His brother John a 12 kill ace with No 609 Squadron was killed in action in November 1940 after shooting down Helmut Wick the top scoring German ace at the time Dundas was promoted to flying officer war substantive on 2 October 7 In early 1941 No 616 Squadron was a part of the RAF Tangmere Wing under the command of Wing Commander Douglas Bader Through the summer of 1941 Dundas frequently flew with Bader s section gradually building his reputation as a competent fighter pilot and tactician By now an acting flight lieutenant he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross on 5 August 1941 The citation read Acting Flight Lieutenant Hugh Spencer Lisle Dundas 91001 Auxiliary Air Force No 616 Squadron This officer has shown unflagging courage in the face of the enemy and the utmost tenacity in supporting his leader He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged others 8 In September 1941 Dundas was posted as an instructor to No 59 Operational Training Unit but his scruffiness and unruly pet dog did not endear him to the commanding officer Group Captain Stanley Vincent and he was transferred promptly as a flight commander with No 610 Squadron Promoted to flight lieutenant war substantive on 2 October he was subsequently promoted to acting squadron leader and posted as commanding officer of No 56 Squadron RAF in December the first to be equipped with the Hawker Typhoon 9 He was mentioned in despatches on 1 January 1943 and was promoted to squadron leader war substantive on 11 February 10 11 Posted to the Mediterranean in 1943 he led No 324 Spitfire Wing from Malta and through Italy He was awarded his first Distinguished Service Order DSO on 3 March 1944 In June Dundas was promoted to the acting rank of group captain at the age of only 23 He led No 244 Wing from June 1944 and was promoted to wing commander war substantive on 11 May 1945 12 His war time score was 4 enemy aircraft destroyed 6 shared destroyed 2 shared probables and 2 and 1 shared damaged citation needed Post war career and later life editOn 1 September 1945 Dundas was granted a permanent commission in the RAF in the rank of flight lieutenant 13 He was promoted to the temporary rank of squadron leader on 3 December 1946 seniority from 1 July 1945 14 On 25 January 1947 however he retired from the RAF retaining the rank of group captain 15 Dundas continued to serve in the reconstituted AuxAF following his retirement from active service He was commissioned as a flying officer in the AuxAF on 8 August 1947 seniority from 23 April 16 On the following 1 June he received a double promotion to squadron leader in the AuxAF and was given command of No 601 County of London Squadron but resigned his commission on 6 October 1949 17 18 He was also the air correspondent for the Daily Express newspaper 19 Dundas joined Rediffusion Limited in 1961 becoming a director in 1966 and served as Chairman of Thames Television until 1987 He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant on 7 October 1968 20 As managing director of British Electric Traction he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1977 New Year Honours 21 As the firm s subsequent chairman Dundas was knighted in the 1987 Birthday Honours 22 He served as High Sheriff of Surrey for 1989 23 References edit Christopher Foxley Norris 18 September 2011 Sir Hugh Dundas The Independent Science Museum Inside the Spitfire Grp Capt Hugh Cocky Dundas www sciencemuseum org uk Archived from the original on 19 March 2010 Bishop 2004 p 76 Franks 1980 p 178 No 34652 The London Gazette 8 August 1939 No 35097 The London Gazette 7 March 1941 No 35106 The London Gazette 14 March 1941 No 35238 The London Gazette 5 August 1941 No 35387 The London Gazette 19 December 1941 No 35841 The London Gazette Supplement 29 December 1942 No 35989 The London Gazette Supplement 20 April 1943 No 37141 The London Gazette Supplement 19 June 1945 No 37518 The London Gazette Supplement 29 March 1946 No 37804 The London Gazette Supplement 29 November 1946 No 37883 The London Gazette Supplement 14 February 1947 No 38090 The London Gazette Supplement 3 October 1947 No 38344 The London Gazette Supplement 2 July 1948 No 38826 The London Gazette Supplement 31 January 1950 Hugh Dundas No 44693 The London Gazette 10 October 1968 No 47102 The London Gazette Supplement 30 December 1976 No 50948 The London Gazette Supplement 12 June 1987 No 51678 The London Gazette 17 March 1989 Further reading editDundas Hugh 1990 Flying Start A Fighter Pilot s War Years Hardcover St Martins Pr Book Club ISBN 0 3120 3967 0 or ISBN 978 0 3120 3967 7 Shores William 1990 Aces High Grub Street External links editObituary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hugh Dundas amp oldid 1187805902, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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