ARMSTRONG, Hugo Throssell
| Service Number: | 406022 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Squadron Leader |
| Last Unit: | No. 611 "West Lancashire" Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, Australia , 19 June 1916 |
| Home Town: | Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Hale School, Perth, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Died: | Flying Battle, English Channel , 5 February 1943, aged 26 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England Panel 187 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Wembley Downs Hale School Honour Roll 1, Wembley Downs Hale School Memorial Grove |
World War 2 Service
| 25 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 406022, Perth, Western Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 May 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 406022 | |
| 29 May 1942: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, DFC awarded London Gazette, 29 May 1942, Page 2332, Position 1, For 29 operational sorties over enemy territory | |
| 8 Jan 1943: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross and bar, London Gazette, 08 Jan 1943, Page 215, Position 1, Awarded Bar To DFC. | |
| 5 Feb 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 406022, No. 611 "West Lancashire" Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
Help us honour Hugo Throssell Armstrong's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
Squadron Leader Hugo Throssell Armstrong was the son of Percival William and Grace Ethel Armstrong, of Travancore Victoria , Australia and the nephew of the nephew of Captain Hugo Throssell VC of the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
Outstanding among R.A.A.F. pilots was Armstrong, who served successively with Nos. 129, 72 and 611 Squadrons R.A.F. during 1942. Squadron Leader Armstrong’s keenness to engage the enemy brought him early prominence while flying with Tangmere Wing and he was quickly elevated to be a flight commander of No. 129 Squadron. His judgment and skill as a leader brought further successes, and by May (1942) he was credited with the destruction of five enemy aircraft. After similar service with No. 72 Squadron, he was posted to command No. 611 Squadron and by the end of the year had claimed another four enemy victims. Perhaps his greatest attribute was his ability to control his flight or squadron to best advantage on escort work, so that he always had a tactical advantage over enemy fighters which tried to break through to the bombers; he never overlooked defensive responsibilities but, once battle was joined, he showed, in the highest form, the courage, initiative, judgment and skill which marks the truly-great fighter pilot.
(courtesy of RAAF Rolls of Honour Western Australia)
Biography
Sqn Ldr Armstrong was attched to Squadron No. 611 a British Royal Air Force squadron. It was first formed in 1936 and was disbanded in 1957 after seeing combat as a fighter unit during the Second World War.
He went missing in action over the English Channel off Boulogne, France on 05 February 1943, and has no known grave.
Click images to start slideshow.