From ‘Men of the Battle of Britain’
‘Alexander Nelson Robin Langley Appleford
42736 P/O Pilot British 66 Squadron
Appleford was born in September 1921, making him one of the youngest pilots to take part in the Battle of Britain.
As a candidate for a short service commission, he began his ab initio training at 12 E&RFTS, Prestwick on August 8 1939. After a short introduction course at Uxbridge he was posted to 11 FTS, Shawbury on September 26. With his training completed, Appleford joined 66 squadron at Duxford on May 13 1940. He was shot down in combat over the Thames Estuary on September 4 and baled out slightly wounded. His Spitfire, P9316 crashed near Howe Green Farm, Purleigh.
Posted from 66 squadron on December 18 1940, Appleford went to 8 FTS Montrose for an instructors course, after which he went to Southern Rhodesia to instruct at 22 FTS, Gwelo. He was hospitalised on November 3 1941, firstly in Nairobi and then Durban until mid-1942. Appleford went north and joined the Aircraft Delivery Unit, Cairo on June 2, staying with it until January 10 1943, when he went to 274 squadron, Benghazi, to fly Hurricanes on coastal defence.
His tour completed, Appleford was posted to 71 OTU, Ismailia as an instructor. After six weeks he returned to the Aircraft Delivery Unit and on November 15 1943 went south again to the Central Flying School, Bloemfontein. From early February 1944 until May 1945 Appleford instructed at various Air Schools in South Africa.
He returned to Britain on July 1 1945 and joined 587 squadron at Weston Zoylond on August 24. He was released from the RAF in August 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.
APO 9.10.39 PO 18.5.40 FO 18.5.41 FL 18.5.42′
Geoff.
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