Air Vice Marshal Air vice-marshal (AVM) is a two-star air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes u ...

John "Barron" Worrall, (9 April 1911 – 14 January 1988) was a Royal Air Force pilot who, during the Second World War, led No. 32 Squadron in the Battle of Britain, flying the Hawker Hurricane.

RAF career

Early years

Worrall joined the RAF in 1930 and was granted permanent status on 19 December 1931, in the rank of

pilot officer Pilot officer (Plt Off officially in the RAF; in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly P/O in all services, and still often used in the RAF) is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countri ...

. He represented the RAF College at Hockey. Worrall initially joined No. 1 Squadron, and then transferred to No. 208 Squadron on 28 February 1933. In 1936, he went to China, where he attended the School of Oriental Studies at

Peking University Peking University (PKU; ) is a public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. Peking University was established as the Imperial University of Peking in 1898 when it received its royal charter ...

Second World War

Worrall was recalled and posted to No. 32 Squadron RAF in May 1940. While based at

Biggin Hill Biggin Hill is a settlement on the south-eastern outskirts of Greater London, England, within the London Borough of Bromley. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Kent, prior to 1965 it was also in the administrative county of Kent. I ...

and Hawkinge, Worrall participated in the Battle of Britain, commanding No. 32 Squadron. Under his leadership, by the end of August 1940, No. 32 Squadron had claimed 71 enemy aircraft shot down for five pilots killed. By the end of August, No. 32 Squadron had destroyed 102 enemy aircraft. In early August 1940 Worrall was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Soon afterwards Worrall became a Fighter Controller at Biggin Hill's control room. Worrall's only personal score was a half share, made on 31 August 1940. He was shot down only once on 20 July 1940, obliging him to a forced landing near Hawkinge in Hurricane Mk. I, N2532. In March 1944 Wing Commander Worrall was Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters No. 216 Group.

Post-war

In July 1945, Worrall became Senior Personnel Staff Officer at Headquarters Transport Command. He continued to serve in the RAF after the war, rising to the rank of air vice marshal. He retired on 1 January 1963.Air Vice-Marshal J Worrall (26251)
/ref> Following retirement from the RAF, Worrall became managing director of The Advertising Agency Poster Bureau Ltd in 1964 and 1965.

Citations

References

* Homles, Tony. ''Hurricane Aces 1939 – 1940''. London: Osprey Publications. 1998.

*http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Wo-pilots.htm {{DEFAULTSORT:Worrall, John 1911 births 1988 deaths Companions of the Order of the Bath Peking University alumni Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Royal Air Force air marshals The Few Royal Air Force pilots of World War II