Cyril Stanley Bamberger
Encyclopedia
Cyril Stanley 'Bam' Bamberger DFC*
AE*
(1919–2008) was a Royal Air Force
pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain
, the Defence of Malta and the Korean War
.
, Cheshire
, and educated locally. He left school in 1934, aged 14, and joined Lever Brothers
as an electrical apprentice.
In 1936 he volunteered for the Auxiliary Air Force
and was posted to the bomber squadron, No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron AuxAF
(Auxiliary Air Force), as a photographer. Bamberger was accepted for pilot training with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
(RAFVR) in 1938 (Service No. 810024).
s, at RAF Biggin Hill on July 27, 1940, as a Sergeant Pilot. Bamberger flew with 610 Sqn during the early air fighting over the Channel that followed the Dunkirk evacuation. The squadron suffered heavy casualties but Bamberger was credited with a "probable" Messerschmitt Me109 on August 28 in combat off the Kent coast.
When 610 Sqn was withdrawn to rest in mid-September 1940, Bamberger was posted to No. 41 Squadron RAF
at Hornchurch and was soon back in action in the Battle of Britain
. He was credited with his first confirmed combat victory, again an Me109, over Canterbury on October 5.
With the Battle of Britain winding down, Bamberger volunteered for Malta
. He flew Hurricanes with No. 261 Squadron RAF
from Hal Far
from late November 1940 and was credited with shooting down two Junkers Ju 87
aircraft over the Grand Harbour in January 1941.
Bamberger joined No. 93 Squadron RAF
in 1942 and was deployed to Tunisia. He was commissioned Pilot Officer
(No. 116515) on 9 February 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer
on 1 October 1942. With the same Squadron he returned to Malta in 1943 and was credited with another kill, again a Junkers Ju 87 on 13 July, this time over Sicily.
Bamberger was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
which was gazetted on 28 September 1943.
Bamberger was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 9 February 1944, returned to the UK in July 1944 and in November of the same year was awarded the bar to his DFC.
subsidiary.
When No. 610 Squadron RAF
was reformed as a Royal Auxiliary Air Force
unit he rejoined it as a flight commander and was given the rank of Flight Lieutenant. In 1950 he became the squadron's Commanding Officer . having converted to Gloster Meteor
aircraft. After the outbreak of the Korean War
Bamberger accepted a permanent RAF commission, and for most of the duration of that conflict was an intelligence officer
at the Air Ministry
. He was promoted to Squadron Leader on 1 January 1957.
Bamberger later converted to flying helicopters and flew the Bristol Sycamore
aircraft in Aden
.
He finally retired in 1959, after being awarded the Air Efficiency Award
and Bar.
Bamberger died on 3 February 2008, aged 88. He was survived by his wife Heather, whom he married in 1954, and by three sons and a daughter. It was Bam's granddaughter who presented the Duchess of Cornwall
with a posy at the unveiling of the Battle of Britain Monument in London
on 18 September 2005.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
AE*
Air Efficiency Award
The Air Efficiency award, abbreviated to AE when placed after a holder's name, was a United Kingdom honour given for ten years' efficient service in the Reserve Air Forces of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Empire. Unlike other long service and meritorious conduct awards, both officers and...
(1919–2008) was a Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
, the Defence of Malta and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Early life
Bamberger was born in HydeHyde, Greater Manchester
Hyde is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. As of the 2001 census, the town had a population of 31,253. Historically part of Cheshire, it is northeast of Stockport, west of Glossop and east of Manchester....
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, and educated locally. He left school in 1934, aged 14, and joined Lever Brothers
Lever Brothers
Lever Brothers was a British manufacturer founded in 1885 by William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James Darcy Lever . The brothers had invested in and promoted a new soap making process invented by chemist William Hough Watson, it was a huge success...
as an electrical apprentice.
In 1936 he volunteered for the Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
and was posted to the bomber squadron, No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron AuxAF
No. 610 Squadron RAF
No. 610 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was as a Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force, its pilots were initially part timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practicing combat maneuvers. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur...
(Auxiliary Air Force), as a photographer. Bamberger was accepted for pilot training with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve consists of a number of groupings of individual military reservists for the management and operation of the Royal Air Force's Air Training Corps and CCF Air Cadet formations, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons , Air Experience Flights, and also to form the...
(RAFVR) in 1938 (Service No. 810024).
Second World War Service
Bamberger was called to full time service on the outbreak of war, completed his training and rejoined his former squadron, now with SpitfireSupermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force and many other Allied countries throughout the Second World War. The Spitfire continued to be used as a front line fighter and in secondary roles into the 1950s...
s, at RAF Biggin Hill on July 27, 1940, as a Sergeant Pilot. Bamberger flew with 610 Sqn during the early air fighting over the Channel that followed the Dunkirk evacuation. The squadron suffered heavy casualties but Bamberger was credited with a "probable" Messerschmitt Me109 on August 28 in combat off the Kent coast.
When 610 Sqn was withdrawn to rest in mid-September 1940, Bamberger was posted to No. 41 Squadron RAF
No. 41 Squadron RAF
No. 41 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is currently the RAF's Test and Evaluation Squadron , based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Its official title is "41 TES". The Squadron celebrates its 95th anniversary in 2011, and is one of the oldest RAF squadrons in existence.-First World War, 1916–1919:No...
at Hornchurch and was soon back in action in the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
. He was credited with his first confirmed combat victory, again an Me109, over Canterbury on October 5.
With the Battle of Britain winding down, Bamberger volunteered for Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. He flew Hurricanes with No. 261 Squadron RAF
No. 261 Squadron RAF
No. 261 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force notably involved in the defence of Malta from August 1940 till May 1941 and the campaign in Burma.-Formation and World War I:...
from Hal Far
RAF Hal Far
The RAF Hal Far airfield in Malta, titled HMS Falcon during the Royal Navy base, was constructed and opened on 1 April 1929, and was used by Royal Navy air crews. It was the first permanent airfield to be built in Malta. It was transferred to the Maltese Government and redeveloped as from January...
from late November 1940 and was credited with shooting down two Junkers Ju 87
Junkers Ju 87
The Junkers Ju 87 or Stuka was a two-man German ground-attack aircraft...
aircraft over the Grand Harbour in January 1941.
Bamberger joined No. 93 Squadron RAF
No. 93 Squadron RAF
No. 93 Squadron RAF was an aircraft squadron of the Royal Air Force during World War II. It operated Turbinlite-equipped Bostons from RAF Burtonwood, making night attacks and towing aerial mine charges with steel cables....
in 1942 and was deployed to Tunisia. He was commissioned Pilot Officer
Pilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
(No. 116515) on 9 February 1942 and promoted to Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
on 1 October 1942. With the same Squadron he returned to Malta in 1943 and was credited with another kill, again a Junkers Ju 87 on 13 July, this time over Sicily.
Bamberger was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
which was gazetted on 28 September 1943.
Bamberger was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 9 February 1944, returned to the UK in July 1944 and in November of the same year was awarded the bar to his DFC.
Post Second World War
Bamberger was released from RAF service in 1946 and he returned to Lever before joining the management of a GuinnessGuinness
Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is directly descended from the porter style that originated in London in the early 18th century and is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide, brewed in almost...
subsidiary.
When No. 610 Squadron RAF
No. 610 Squadron RAF
No. 610 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was as a Squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force, its pilots were initially part timers who would spend their weekends and spare time flying and practicing combat maneuvers. The squadron was named the "County of Chester" and adopted the motto "Alifero tollitur...
was reformed as a Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
unit he rejoined it as a flight commander and was given the rank of Flight Lieutenant. In 1950 he became the squadron's Commanding Officer . having converted to Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
aircraft. After the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
Bamberger accepted a permanent RAF commission, and for most of the duration of that conflict was an intelligence officer
Intelligence officer
An intelligence officer is a person employed by an organization to collect, compile and/or analyze information which is of use to that organization...
at the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
. He was promoted to Squadron Leader on 1 January 1957.
Bamberger later converted to flying helicopters and flew the Bristol Sycamore
Bristol Sycamore
-See also:-External links:* on the Bristol Sycamore* on the Bristol Sycamore*...
aircraft in Aden
Aden Emergency
The Aden Emergency was an insurgency against the British crown forces in the British controlled territories of South Arabia which now form part of the Yemen. Partly inspired by Nasser's pan Arab nationalism, it began on 10 December 1963 with the throwing of a grenade at a gathering of British...
.
He finally retired in 1959, after being awarded the Air Efficiency Award
Air Efficiency Award
The Air Efficiency award, abbreviated to AE when placed after a holder's name, was a United Kingdom honour given for ten years' efficient service in the Reserve Air Forces of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and Empire. Unlike other long service and meritorious conduct awards, both officers and...
and Bar.
Post RAF Life
After retiring from the RAF in 1959, Bamberger went into business, founding a packaging materials company. He later ran an antiques business. He remained active in RAF matters and was closely involved with the Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust, of which he was vice-chairman.Bamberger died on 3 February 2008, aged 88. He was survived by his wife Heather, whom he married in 1954, and by three sons and a daughter. It was Bam's granddaughter who presented the Duchess of Cornwall
Duchess of Cornwall
The Duchess of Cornwall is the title held by the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. Duke of Cornwall is a non-hereditary peerage held by the British Sovereign's eldest son and heir....
with a posy at the unveiling of the Battle of Britain Monument in London
Battle of Britain Monument in London
The Battle of Britain Monument in London is a sculpture on the Victoria Embankment overlooking the River Thames in central London, England which pays tribute to those who took part in the Battle of Britain during World War II...
on 18 September 2005.
Honours and awards
- 28 September 1943 - Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
- Flying Officer Cyril Stanley Bamberger (116515) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 93 Squadron. - 14 November 1944 - Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
- Flight Lieutenant Cyril Stanley Bamberger, DFC (116515) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 243 Squadron.