Gp Capt Donald Finlay - 906 Wing

[Snapper41]

Hello all

I am currently researching for a book which will be a biography of Don Finlay, Olympic athlete and fighter pilot. He was CO of 906 Wing in Burma late in the war, and I wonder if anyone has any details they could share? I am booked in at Kew later this month to view the Wing ORB.

TIA

Snapper

[HughAHalliday]

FINLAY, Donald Osborne, A/G/C, DFC (36031, Royal Air Force) - No.61 Operational Training Unit - Air Force Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 September 1944. Born 27 May 1909, died 18 April 1970. He was an Olympic athlete both pre and post war. He won the silver medal for the 110 metre hurdles at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Public Record Office Air 2/9019 has citation drafted when he had flown 2,080 non-operational hours (61 in previous six months).

This officer has commanded the unit for the last 16 months with remarkable success. He is a magnificent Spitfire pilot with operational experience in the Battle of Britain. His pupils who have included a large number of Poles have always reached a very high standard of efficiency and have invariably been turned out to time. He has set a very high standard and gets the best from his staff and pupils.

[Snapper41]

very useful - many thanks!