RAF
DOSSIER No 36031
S/L D. O. Findlay
Full Name
Donald Osbourne Findlay
DOB
December 12th 1917
Nationality
Auckland, New Zealand
Rank
Squadron Leader
 
Year
 Postings
Rank
1940
 Joined 54 Squadron in August
Squadron Leader
194-
 Joined 41 Squadron
Squadron Leader
Portrait

S/L D.O. Findlay was a pre-war Olympic hurdler, becoming captain of the British Olympic team and winning a silver medal at the 1936 Munich Olympics.

Donald commanded 54 Squadron in August, 1940, during some of the heaviest fighting in the summer.
Donald baled out of his Spitfire I (X4053) wounded on 28th August, 1940, at 17:15hrs, after being in combat with a Bf 109 over Ramsgate.

He also briefly commanded 41 Squadron.

Decorations
 

Related Information

In June, 1936, Donald helped Hornchurch win the RAF Athletics Championship held at Uxbridge by putting on an outstanding display of individual athletics to help put his side through the event.