Tribute page: WW2 SAAF fighter pilot Raymond Clark
Hi and welcome to this site!
1944/1945
Raymond Evans Clark joined the Air Force in mid 1942. After nearly a year of ground training he was sent to the elementary flying school at Potchefstroom and finished his advanced service flying training in Bloemfontein to qualify as a pilot in late 1943.
In April 1944 Raymond was seconded to RAF 1435 squadron situated in Italy. From there Raymond's flight moved to several places around the Mediterranean including Sicily, Malta and Yugoslavia.
Raymond flew operations mainly with Spitfires of types XIII and IX. Sorties included armed recce's, dive bombing, ground strafing, offensive sweeps, escorts and patrols. Raymond flew a total of 85 operational sorties totalling 119 ops hours.
Raymond was demobilized from the Air Force after the war in 1945 and thereafter had a long and successful career as an electrical engineer.
This is a living web site. Any input and/or participation will be much appreciated regarding additional information, correctness, information from relatives of members who served with Raymond in his squadron, photographs, stories etc. Please e-mail me.
If you perhaps have a family member who served as a SAAF fighter pilot during WW2 and you would want to find out more about his war service please contact me, hopefully I can be of some help.
Tinus le Roux
February 2016
2004 ?
Raymond second from left in front of a Spitfire while at 1435 squadron.
Reunion of Spitfire pilots. South Africa 2004.
Raymond with a Tiger Moth during Elementary Flying Training.
Raymond with fellow pilot
