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Nevil Everard Reeves

Nevil Reeves

RAF   Squadron Leader

Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Flying Cross  &  Bar

Born in Naunton, Upton-on-Severn, Worcestershire, in 1920
Attending Hanley Castle Grammar School, Worcester
Enlisted in the RAFVR in the Spring of 1939 (#748096)
Commisioned in December of 1941 (#110797)
Sent to Malta with his R/O Arthur O'Leary DFM, in June 1942
(As part of 89 Nightfighter Squadron's detachment there)
By September they had claimed 6 victories
Their last Malta kill was on a day escort to torpedo Beauforts
On returning to the Middle East, Reeves was promoted to F/O
O'Leary to Warrant Officer
In December, the duo were sent to Benina 'drome
From here they were to defend Tripoli
Both Reeves & O'Leary recieved DFCs In January 1943
Tour expired, Reeves returned to England
Serving as flight commander at 239 Squadron, 100 Group
He scored 4 more victories with that unit
Late in 1944 he joined the BSDU and scored one final victory
Then commanding 169 Squadron from January to August 1945
Killed in a Flying Accident, 27 January 1949, flying a Meteor

 

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Distinguished Flying Cross

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 February 1943

Flying Officer Nevil Everard REEVES (110797), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 89 Squadron

Since his arrival in Malta this officer has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft during darkness, and another in daylight, bringing his total victories to 7 aircraft destroyed. Throughout his operational career Flying Officer Reeves has displayed great skill, courage and devotion to duty.

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Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

Supplement to the London Gazette, 14 May 1943

Flying Officer Nevil Everard REEVES, D.F.C. (110797), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 89 Squadron.

This officer is a most skilful and courageous pilot. In operations in the Middle East he has displayed exceptional keenness and great powers of endurance. Flying Officer Reeves has destroyed 9 enemy aircraft at night.

Warrant Officer Arthur Alexander O/LEARY, D.F.C., D.F.M. (630959), No. 89 Squadron.

Warrant Officer O'Leary is an observer of exceptional merit. He has invariably displayed great courage and keenness and has taken part in the destruction of 14 enemy aircraft at night.

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Distinguished Service Order

Tuesday, 24 October 1944. Fourth Supplement to the London Gazette of Friday October 20th

Acting Squadron Leader Nevil Everard REEVES, D.F.C. (110797), R.A.F.V.R., 239 Sqn.

Within a short period Squadron Leader Reeves has shot down four enemy aircraft at night; 2 of them fell to his guns over Germany. This officer's brilliant work has been an outstanding example to the flight he commands and has been a great factor in raising the fighting qualities of the formation to a high standard.

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Victories Include :

2/3 July 1942
5/6 July 1942
17/18 July 1942
30/31 July 1942
14/15 Aug 1942
6 Sept 1942
29/30 Dec 1942

8/9 Jan 1943
21/22 Feb 1943

26/27 Feb 1943

11/12 Apr 1944
27/28 Apr 1944
27/28 May 1944
4/5 July 1944
6/7 Dec 1944
one Ju88
one Ju88
one Ju88
one Ju88
one Z1007
one Ju88
one He111

one He111
one Ju88
one Ju88
one Ju88

one Do217
one Me110
one Me110
one Me110
one Me110
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed [
destroyed
damaged

destroyed
destroyed &
damaged
destroyed

destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed
destroyed

14 / 0 / 2

For further details on his claims see Aces High 2nd Ed.

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Thanks go out to

Andrew Long for the photo from his personal collection (Please do not copy)

And cousin Anthony for the corrections.

On these pages I use Hugh Halliday's extensive research which includes info from numerous sources; newspaper articles via the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC); the Google News Archives; the London Gazette Archives and other sources both published and private.

Some content on this site is probably the property of acesofww2.com unless otherwise noted.     Mail