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Wing Cmdr. J. R. D. Braham
Group Captain J. R. D. (Bob) Braham (6 April 1920 - 7 February 1974) was one of the top British Flying aces during the Second World War.
Born in Holcombe, Somerset, England, he was educated at pre...view moreGroup Captain J. R. D. (Bob) Braham (6 April 1920 - 7 February 1974) was one of the top British Flying aces during the Second World War.
Born in Holcombe, Somerset, England, he was educated at preparatory school at Belmont from 1930, and then moved to the public school in Taunton in Somerset. He attended schools in southern England as the family moved across the country to London. He was then education at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn, Lancashire, but left at 16.
He joined the Royal Air Force in 1937. He was a pilot officer at the beginning of the war and then became a flight commander with the rank of squadron leader, before becoming wing commander in command of his own squadron. He was commanding officer with both 29 Squadron and 141 Squadron.
He was the most highly decorated airman in RAF Fighter Command. During the Second World War he shot down 29 German planes and was himself shot down five times and taken prisoner by the Germans.
He moved to Canada in 1952 and served for 16 years in the R.C.A.F. Upon retirement, he became Halifax area superintendent for historical sites with the department of Indian affairs and northern development.
Braham died in Nova Scotia in 1974 at the age of 53.view less