RIP Percival Beake | 1917-2016
No 164 Squadron
No 136 Wing
Royal Air Force
Percival Harold Beake was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1917. Born to English parents, he attended school in the United Kingdom and then enlisted in the Royal Air Force in April 1939, just as World War II was about to engulf Europe. On August 31, 1940, he completed his pilot training and joined No. 64 Squadron, equipped with Spitfire fighters. He participated in the Battle of Britain. On June 27, 1941, he was appointed to No. 92 Squadron based at Biggin Hill.
During a mission on July 8, 1941, his Spitfire IIa W3265 was shot down off the coast of France, but he managed to escape by parachute. He owes his survival to the intervention of a Royal Air Force rescue boat, which transported him to Dover. Below is a photo of his recovery.
Back in the air, Percival Beake damaged a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter in a dogfight on September 27, 1941. Transferred to No. 601 Squadron in December, he underwent several squadron leader training courses before returning to operations with No. 193 Squadron on December 22, 1942, as Flight Commander.
On February 8, 1944, he shot down a Focke Wulf 190. On May 30, 1944, he took command of No. 164 Squadron, a unit composed mainly of Argentine volunteers. This unit was attached to No. 136 Wing (No. 84 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force). It was with this squadron, equipped with Typhoon IB fighter-bombers, that Percival Beake participated in Operation Overlord in Normandy. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he shot down a Focke Wulf 190 near the landing beaches. In July 1944, No. 164 Squadron took up residence at ALG B-08 airfield in Sommervieu, Normandy, before moving to ALG B-07 airfield in Martragny at the end of the month. For his actions and bravery in Normandy, he was awarded a Mention in Despatches and the Distinguished Flying Cross, having been credited with two enemy aircraft shot down.
On September 10, 1944, he was sent as an instructor to the Fighter Leaders School. On January 21, 1946, he returned to civilian life, working for a company producing animal feed.
He died at the age of 99 on June 25, 2016.
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