Brian John Lister "Piggy" Boyle joined the Air Force as a Military College cadet in 1936. He was trained as a pilot and attended several Air Schools before he was sent to East Africa with 1 Squadron at the outbreak of the war in in 1940.
During the campaign in East Africa Piggy had a very active tour and was involved in many air- and ground engagements with the Italian forces. It was here where Piggy shot down several enemy aircraft to become one of the first aces of the SAAF. He was also the very first SAAF fighter pilot to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In this campaign Piggy flew Gladiator and Hurricane aircraft shooting down 5 1/2 enemy aircraft.
On his return to South Africa Piggy was involved with pilot- and instructors training at several Air Schools.
Piggy was sent north for a second operational tour in 1944 where he joined No. 4 Fighter squadron in Italy. He was duly promoted to the Commanding Officer of this unit. Here they flew operations with Spitfires in mainly bomber escorts, dive bombing and ground strafing sorties.
He was subsequently promoted to Lt. Col. and appointed in a command unit for fighter/bomber operations in Italy until his tour expired in 1945.
After the war Piggy had a successful career in the SAAF as he was promoted to Brigadier and was in charge of pilot training of the SAAF. He also served as staff officer in the Maritime Command, Cape Town.
Piggy passed away in 1993.
