Clifford Percival Rudland
Second World War
Clifford Percival Rudland was a fighter pilot during the Second World War, flying in the Battle of Britain. Born in 1915 in London, he joined the RAFVR in March 1938. Entering as an Airman u/t (under training) Pilot, he started his elementary training at Hamble.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Rudland was called up and posted to Redhill in November 1939. He was moved to Sealand in April 1940 and then joined No. 263 Squadron at Drem in June. He served with this squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. Rudland was commissioned in May 1941 and went on to become a Flight Commander later that year. He was awarded a DFC in September that year.
The following year, in September 1942, Rudland was posted to No. 19 Squadron at RAF Perranporth. Moving to Southampton in December, he flew on test pilot duties until October 1943. Joining No.131 Squadron at RAF Church Stanton in November 1943, Rudland was promoted and given command of No. 64 Squadron at RAF Harrowbeer in August 1944. The following March, he was posted to RAF Andrews Field as a Wing Commander.
In May 1945, as the war in Europe drew to a close, Rudland was awarded a Bar to his DFC and the DFC (US). In the summer of 1945, he served as a Planning Officer at HQ 11 Group, completing a course at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Returning to the UK in November 1945, Rudland was released from the RAF. He continued to serve in the RAFVR from 1946 to 1951.
Rudland died in March 1996; his medals are on display at RAF Museum, London.
