bentley priory - Spink

September 6, 2012 - LONDON
Group Captain P.G.H. Matthews (on left)
D.F.C. London Gazette 13.5.1941 Flight Lieutenant Peter
Gerald Hugh Matthews (40247) - No. 1 Squadron
‘This officer has been engaged on active operations against
the enemy over a long period. He has displayed high qualities
of leadership and exceptional tactical ability. He has
destroyed at least 4 enemy aircraft.’
The Recommendation, dated 23.4.1941, states: ‘This Officer
has been employed on flying duties in an operational
Squadron since September 1939. He has destroyed 4 and
probably 7 enemy aircraft. This is by no means a full measure
of his outstanding qualities of leadership and organisation,
nor of the confusion he has brought to the enemy through
his tactical ability and inspired leadership of his Flight. He has
assumed command on several occasions when his seniors
became non-effective through various reasons, and held the
Flight together; particularly so during the strenuous period
when covering the evacuation from France, and later when
there was considerable action during the Autumn of 1940.’
Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air
London Gazette 2.1.1956 Wing Commander Peter Gerald
Hugh Matthews, D.F.C. (40247), Royal Air Force.
Group Captain Peter Gerald Hugh Matthews, D.F.C.,
was born at Hoylake, on the Cheshire Wirrall, 8.5.1919, the
son of Mr. H.T. Matthews, the Chief Veterinary Officer of
Liverpool, and was educated at Quarry Bank School,
Hoylake, and at Liverpool College, where he intended to
train as a vet like his father. However, in August 1937 he
joined the Royal Air Force, being commissioned Pilot
Officer, 24.10.1937, and was posted to No. 5 Flying
Training School, Sealand, before in June the following year
joining the staff at No. 1 Air Armament School at Manby.
Posted to No. 1 Squadron (Hurricanes), Tangmere,
20.8.1939, he went to France with the Squadron at the
outbreak of the Second World War, and was billeted in a
deserted nunnery at Le Harve. Promoted Flying Officer,
23.3.1940, his first notable contact with the enemy came on
the 3rd April 1940: ‘Met 5 Me.109s near Thionville at
26,000 feet. After one diving attack 4 of them continued
downwards and escaped. The remaining one was shot down.
I did not get a chance to fire before the Me.109s ran away’
(retrospective entry in the recipient’s Flying Log book refers).
Two weeks later, on the 16th May he finally got his chance:
‘6 Hurricanes sighted more than 200 German bombers
escorted entering France near Vouziers- attacked 16 Me.110
escort fighters. 8 Me.110s shot down- 1 Hurricane lost. Shot
both engines out of a Me.110 and killed a rear gunner, and
pipped one engine in another. I Destroyed, 1 Probable.’
(ibid). On the 5th June he had further success: ‘12
Hurricanes intercepted about 150 bombers and escort
fighters over Rouen. 8 enemy aircraft were destroyed...the
bombers were turned and did not meet their objectives. Shot
down 1 He.111 and badly damaged another probable’ (ibid).
The Squadron returned to RAF Tangmere, 17.6.1940, and
the following day, covering the evacuation of the British
Expeditionary Force from St. Nazaire, Matthews chased and
shared in the shooting down of a Ju.88, seeing the troopship
Lancastrian sunk during the engagement. As he recalled
many years later; ‘When the big Blitz started we got out in a
hell of a hurry. I had to leave everything for the Germans- my
saxophone, cameras, a very good record player with a
wonderful selection of records, and my golf clubs’ (Article in
the Sunday Express magazine, 11.9.1988 refers).
No. 1 Squadron in the Battle of Britain
Back on home shores at RAF Northolt Matthews was thrust
straight into the Battle and on the 31st July: ‘Intercepted
Do.17 eight miles south of Isle of Wight. Chased to within
ten miles of the French coast. Damaged enemy aircraft but
uncertain as to its destruction. Probable’ (Log Book refers).
During the Battle of Britain he was to have further success,
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