# Adrian Boyd

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British flying ace of WWII

Adrian Boyd Portrait of Boyd, made by Cuthbert Orde in 1940 Born (1913-01-01)1 January 1913 Sialkot, British India (now Pakistan) Died 21 January 1975(1975-01-21) (aged 62) Allegiance United Kingdom Branch Royal Navy Royal Air Force Service years 1924–1934 (RN) 1936–1947 (RAF) Rank Wing commander Unit No. 145 Squadron Commands No. 281 Wing No. 501 Squadron Conflicts Second World War Battle of France Battle of Britain Circus offensive Awards Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mention in Despatches (2)

**Adrian Boyd**, [DSO](/source/Distinguished_Service_Order), [DFC](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) & [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) (1 January 1913 – 21 January 1975) was a British [flying ace](/source/Flying_ace) who served with the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least eighteen aircraft.

Born in [Sialkot](/source/Sialkot) in [British India](/source/Presidencies_and_provinces_of_British_India), Boyd's initial military service was with the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy), from which he resigned in 1934. Two years later he joined the RAF, serving with [No. 65 Squadron](/source/No._65_Squadron_RAF) once he completed his flying training. Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War, Boyd was posted to [No. 145 Squadron](/source/No._145_Squadron_RAF) which operated [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) [fighters](/source/Fighter_aircraft). He flew during the [Battle of France](/source/Battle_of_France) and achieved a number of aerial victories for which he was subsequently awarded the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) (DFC). Further successes followed during the [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain), including five aerial victories in one day on 8 August 1940. The recipient of a [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) to the DFC, he was rested from duties in November and spent several months as an instructor before returning to operations with a posting as commander of [No. 501 Squadron](/source/No._501_Squadron_RAF) during the RAF's [Circus offensive](/source/Circus_offensive). Awarded the [Distinguished Service Order](/source/Distinguished_Service_Order), he was later a [wing leader](/source/Wing_leader) and served in the Middle East and Italy. He ended his service with the RAF in 1947. He died in 1975 at the age of 62.

## Early life

Adrian Hope Boyd was born at [Sialkot](/source/Sialkot) in [British India](/source/Presidencies_and_provinces_of_British_India) (now Pakistan), on 1 January 1913. When he was thirteen-years-old, he joined the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) as a cadet. He graduated from the [Naval College](/source/Britannia_Royal_Naval_College) at [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth%2C_Devon) in May 1930, and the next January was [commissioned](/source/Commission_(document)) as a [midshipman](/source/Midshipman). He was promoted to [acting](/source/Acting_rank) [sub-lieutenant](/source/Sub-lieutenant) in 1933, but subsequently resigned his commission in May the following year.[1][2]

Boyd joined the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) (RAF) in July 1936, being granted a short service commission. Appointed an acting [pilot officer](/source/Pilot_officer) on probation in September, he proceeded to [No. 2 Flying Training School](/source/No._2_Flying_Training_School_RAF) at [Digby](/source/RAF_Digby). After gaining his [wings](/source/Aircrew_brevet), Boyd was posted to [No. 65 Squadron](/source/No._65_Squadron_RAF) in May 1937. His new unit, based at [Hornchurch](/source/RAF_Hornchurch), was equipped with the [Gloster Gladiator](/source/Gloster_Gladiator) [fighter](/source/Fighter_aircraft).[2] He was involved in a flying accident on 11 February 1938; one of a trio of fighters making unauthorised mock attacks on a fourth fighter, two aircraft collided, killing a pilot. He was promoted to [flying officer](/source/Flying_officer) in January 1939.[1][2]

## Second World War

In October 1939, and with the Second World War now underway, Boyd was promoted to the rank of acting [flight lieutenant](/source/Flight_lieutenant) and posted to [No. 145 Squadron](/source/No._145_Squadron_RAF) as one of its [flight commanders](/source/Flight_commander).[2] The squadron was based at [Croydon](/source/RAF_Croydon) and operated the [Bristol Blenheim](/source/Bristol_Blenheim) aircraft in a day/night fighter role but in March 1940, the squadron converted to the [Hawker Hurricane](/source/Hawker_Hurricane) fighter.[3]

### Battle of France

A week after the [invasion of France](/source/Battle_of_France) on 10 May 1940, No. 145 Squadron began carrying out sorties to France, supporting the fighter squadrons there in helping to cover the retreat of the [British Expeditionary Force](/source/British_Expeditionary_Force_(World_War_II)) (BEF). On 22 May Boyd destroyed three [Junkers Ju 87](/source/Junkers_Ju_87) [dive bombers](/source/Dive_bomber) near [Saint-Omer](/source/Saint-Omer), although one of these was unconfirmed. Towards the end of the month his squadron helped provide aerial cover for the evacuation of the BEF and on 27 May Boyd destroyed two [Messerschmitt Bf 110](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_110) [heavy fighters](/source/Heavy_fighter) near [Dunkirk](/source/Dunkirk). He shot down another two Bf 110s later the same day but these were not able to be verified. The following day he was shot down himself into the sea off the evacuation beaches but was picked up and returned to the squadron. On 1 June, he destroyed one Bf 110 and damaged a second to the north of Dunkirk, and also shot down a [Messerschmitt Bf 109](/source/Messerschmitt_Bf_109) fighter in the same area.[2][3][4]

Once the evacuation of the BEF was completed, No. 145 Squadron relocated to [No. 11 Group](/source/No._11_Group_RAF)'s station at [Tangmere](/source/RAF_Tangmere).[3] Boyd, who had briefly commanded the squadron in an acting capacity for a few days in mid-June, was recognised for his successes in the fighting over France with an award of the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_Kingdom)) (DFC) on 21 June.[2] The citation, published in *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*, read:

During a period of fourteen days Flight Lieutenant Boyd was engaged on offensive patrols almost every day. He has destroyed at least six enemy aircraft and severely damaged several more. This officer has displayed courage and determination, often attacking superior forces, and has pressed home his attacks in every case.

— *London Gazette*, No. 34878, 21 June 1940[5]

### Battle of Britain

No. 145 Squadron was involved in the aerial fighting over the [English Channel](/source/English_Channel) during the early phase of the [Battle of Britain](/source/Battle_of_Britain). Now operating from [Westhampnett](/source/RAF_Westhampnett), the squadron carried out interception duties along the English Channel.[6] On 3 July, Boyd shared in the unconfirmed destruction of a [Heinkel He 111](/source/Heinkel_He_111) [medium bomber](/source/Medium_bomber) about 25 miles (40 km) from [Cherbourg](/source/Cherbourg). He claimed a Bf 110 as destroyed southwest of [Selsey Bill](/source/Selsey_Bill) on 11 July but this was unconfirmed. He shared in the destruction of a He 111 20 miles (32 km) south of [Bognor](/source/Bognor) and this was followed three days later with a share in a destroyed [Dornier Do 17](/source/Dornier_Do_17) medium bomber near Selsey Bill. On 8 August, during the course of three sorties, he destroyed five aircraft of the [Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe), all to the south of the [Isle of Wight](/source/Isle_of_Wight); two Bf 109s, two Bf 110s, and a Ju 87. He also damaged a second Ju 87.[4]

The following week, No. 145 Squadron moved north to [Drem](/source/RAF_Drem), in Scotland, for a period of rest and light duties.[3] On 20 August, Boyd was awarded a [Bar](/source/Medal_bar) to his DFC. The published citation read:

This flight commander has been actively engaged in flying operations against the enemy since the commencement of hostilities. By fine leadership and dauntless spirit he has enabled his flight to destroy a large number of enemy aircraft of which he has himself, shot down, or severely damaged, at least twelve.

— *London Gazette*, No. 34927, 20 August 1940[7]

Flying a night sortie on the evening of 26 August, Boyd destroyed a He 111 east of [St Abb's Head](/source/St_Abb's_Head).[4] His acting rank of flight lieutenant was made substantive a week later.[8] In October, No. 145 Squadron, which was now commanded again by Boyd in an acting capacity, returned to No. 11 Group's sector and commenced operations from Tangmere. Boyd shared in the destruction of an [Arado Ar 196](/source/Arado_Ar_196) [observation seaplane](/source/Observation_seaplane) that was intercepted 12 miles (19 km) south of [St Catherine's Point](/source/St_Catherine's_Point) on 12 October and then, three days later, he shot down a Bf 109 over [The Needles](/source/The_Needles), his final aerial victory of the year.[4]

### Later war service

Boyd was rested from operations in late November, being sent to the [Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment](/source/Aeroplane_and_Armament_Experimental_Establishment) at [Boscombe Down](/source/RAF_Boscombe_Down). The next month he was posted to an [Operational Training Unit](/source/List_of_Royal_Air_Force_Operational_Training_Units) to serve as an instructor. In June 1941, he returned to operations with an appointment as the commander of [No. 501 Squadron](/source/No._501_Squadron_RAF).[2][4] This was based at [Colerne](/source/RAF_Colerne) and equipped with the [Supermarine Spitfire](/source/Supermarine_Spitfire) fighter, carrying out operations to occupied France as part of the [Circus offensive](/source/Circus_offensive).[9] On the night of 7 July, Boyd intercepted a [Junkers Ju 88](/source/Junkers_Ju_88) medium bomber south of [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth), shooting it down into the English Channel. On 24 July, while escorting bombers attacking targets at [La Pallice](/source/La_Pallice) and [Brest](/source/Brest%2C_France), he destroyed a pair of Bf 109s, one over [Saint-Renan](/source/Saint-Renan) and the other after he crossed the French coast on the return flight to England.[4][10]

In early August Boyd was appointed the [wing leader](/source/Wing_leader) at [No. 10 Group](/source/No._10_Group_RAF)'s [Middle Wallop](/source/RAF_Middle_Wallop). He made his final claim on 13 October, for a Bf 109 that was damaged over [Arques](/source/Arques%2C_Pas-de-Calais) while supporting a Circus mounted by No. 11 Group.[4][11] At the start of December, he was awarded the [Distinguished Service Order](/source/Distinguished_Service_Order).[2] The published citation read:

Since August, 1941, this officer has led the wing on numerous occasions greatly distinguishing himself throughout. His excellent leadership and tactical ability have been of great value when difficulties have been encountered. Wing Commander Boyd has destroyed at least 16 enemy aircraft.

— *London Gazette*, No. 35364, 2 December 1941[12]

[Mentioned in despatches](/source/Mentioned_in_despatches) in the [1943 New Year Honours](/source/1943_New_Year_Honours), Boyd subsequently served in the Middle East with [No. 210 Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._210_Group_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1).[4][13] He was promoted to acting [wing commander](/source/Wing_commander) at the start of 1944,[14] and led the [Balkan Air Force](/source/Balkan_Air_Force)'s [No. 281 Wing](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=No._281_Wing_RAF&action=edit&redlink=1) from Italy.[4] His wing commander rank was made substantive on 10 December 1944.[15] He was mentioned in despatches for a second time in the [1945 Birthday Honours](/source/1945_Birthday_Honours_(Mention_in_Despatches)).[16]

When the war ended in August 1945, Boyd was credited with having shot down eighteen aircraft, three being shared with other pilots. He is also credited with four unconfirmed aerial victories, one of which was shared, two probably destroyed, and four damaged.[4]

## Later life

Boyd remained in the RAF until 1947, at which time he departed the service with the rank of wing commander. He died on 21 January 1975.[1][2]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bbm_1-2) ["The Airmen's Stories – S/Ldr. A H Boyd"](https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/BoydAH.htm). *Battle of Britain London Monument*. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWynn201555_2-8) [Wynn 2015](#CITEREFWynn2015), p. 55.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976282–284_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976282–284_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976282–284_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976282–284_3-3) [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 282–284.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEShoresWilliams1994142_4-9) [Shores & Williams 1994](#CITEREFShoresWilliams1994), p. 142.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["No. 34878"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34878/page/3784). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 21 June 1940. p. 3784.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976282–283_6-0)** [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 282–283.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["No. 34927"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34927/page/5091). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 20 August 1940. p. 5091.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["No. 34976"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34976/page/6139). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 22 October 1940. p. 6139.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERawlings1976455–457_9-0)** [Rawlings 1976](#CITEREFRawlings1976), pp. 455–457.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranks2016127–128_10-0)** [Franks 2016](#CITEREFFranks2016), pp. 127–128.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFranks2016213–214_11-0)** [Franks 2016](#CITEREFFranks2016), pp. 213–214.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["No. 35364"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35364/page/6887). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)*. 2 December 1941. p. 6887.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["No. 35841"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35841/supplement/36). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 1 January 1943. p. 36.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["No. 36340"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36340/supplement/308). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 21 January 1944. p. 308.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["No. 36888"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36888/supplement/348). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 12 January 1945. p. 348.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["No. 37119"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37119/supplement/2990). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (Supplement). 14 June 1945. p. 2990.

## References

- [Franks, Norman](/source/Norman_Franks) (2016). *Fighter Command's Air War 1941: RAF Circus Operations and Fighter Sweeps Against the Luftwaffe*. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Aviation. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-47384-722-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-47384-722-4).

- Rawlings, John (1976). *Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft*. London: MacDonald & James. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-354-01028-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-354-01028-X).

- Shores, Christopher; Williams, Clive (1994). *Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Forces in WWII*. London: Grub Street. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-8-9869-7000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-8-9869-7000).

- Wynn, Kenneth G. (2015). *Men of the Battle of Britain: A Biographical Directory of the Few*. Barnsley: Frontline Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-39901-465-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-39901-465-6).

v t e British World War II flying aces with 10+ aerial victories 30+ Pat Pattle (40+) Johnnie Johnson (34) George Beurling (31) William Vale (30) Brendan Finucane (28–32) 25–29 Robert Stanford Tuck (29) John Braham (29) Frank Carey (28) James Lacey (28) Neville Duke (27) Adolph Malan (27) Colin Gray (27) Eric Lock (26) 20–24 Lance Wade (23) Donald Kingaby (23) Bill Crawford-Compton (21) Branse Burbridge (21) Bobby Oxspring (21) Archie McKellar (21) John Cunningham (20) Douglas Bader (20) Billy Drake (20) Michael Crossley (20) Gerald Edge (20) 15–19 Geoffrey Allard (19) Roy Dutton (19) Manfred Czernin (18) Vernon Woodward (18) Karel Kuttelwascher (18) Albert Lewis (18) Desmond McMullen (17 & 5 shared) Herbert Hallowes (17 & 2 shared) William Rolls (17 & 1 shared) Mark Brown (17) Thomas Dalton-Morgan (17) Al Deere (17) Josef František (17) Willie McKnight (17) Stanley Orr (17) Newell Orton (17) James Rankin (17) Maurice Stephens (17) Witold Urbanowicz (17) Tony Lovell (16 & 6 shared) Alfred Marshall (16 & 2 shared) Alexander Rabagliati (16 & 1 shared) James Sanders (16 & 1 shared) Peter Brothers (16) Nigel Cullen (16) Bob Doe (16) Eugeniusz Horbaczewski (16) Edgar Kain (16) James MacLachlan (16) Michael Robinson (16) Raymond Harries (15 & 5 shared) Adrian Boyd (15 & 3 shared) William Dennis David (15 & 2 shared) Max Aitken (15) John Baldwin (15) Bunny Currant (15) Ernest Mason (15) Alan Owen (15) 10–14 Ronald Berry (14 & 10 shared) George Gilroy (14 & 10 shared) Robert Boyd (14 & 7 shared) Richard Milne (14 & 1 shared) Richard Stevens (14 & 1 shared) John Kilmartin (14) Donald McKay (14) Peter Wykeham (14) John Villa (13 & 4 shared) George Unwin (13 & 2 shared) John Ellis (13 & 1 shared) Ian Gleed (13) Harry Broadhurst (13) Ronald Hay (13) Joseph Kayll (13) John Mungo-Park (13) James O'Meara (13) John Topham (13) Jefferson Wedgwood (13) James Storrar (12 & 2 shared) Harold Atkinson (12) George Bennions (12) Stanley Connors (12) John Dundas (12) John Gibson (12) Arthur Hodgkinson (12) Geoffrey Page (12) Harold White (12) Andrew McDowall (11 & 2 shared) John Webster (11 & 2 shared) Harold Howes (11 & 1 shared) Frederick Robertson (11 & 1 shared) Harold Walmsley (11 & 1 shared) Osgood Hanbury (11) George Palliser (11) Allan Wright (11) John Freeborn (11) Ian Allan (11) Francis Soper (10 & 4 shared) Kenneth Mackenzie (10 & 3 shared) Patrick Woods-Scawen (10 & 3 shared) William Dymond (10 & 1 shared) Ronald Hamlyn (10 & 1 shared) Paul Richey (10 & 1 shared) Victor Beamish (10) James Benson (10) Minden Blake (10) Archie Boyd (10) John Thompson (10) Trevor Wade (10) List of British and Commonwealth World War II aces Lists of World War II flying aces

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Adrian Boyd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Boyd) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Boyd?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.