John Dundas

Who was John Dundas?

John Charles Dundas, DFC & Bar was a British Second World War fighter pilot and flying ace—a title awarded to a pilot credited with shooting down at least five enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Born in West Yorkshire in 1915, the son of an aristocrat, Dundas was an able student and academic. After his graduation at the age of 21, and the completion of his studies, he became a journalist and joined a newspaper in his home county. After two years, Dundas tired with life as a reporter, Dundas joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in July 1938 and trained as a pilot at his own expense. His pilot training was complete in 1939.

In May 1940 his unit, No. 609 Squadron RAF, took part in the Battle of France during which Dundas claimed his first two victories. Dundas remained with his Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain claiming nine German aircraft shot down. On 9 October he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for 10 victories. At the time of his last battle Dundas had been credited with 12 aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, four probably destroyed and five damaged.