Henry Lardner-Burke

Henry Patrick Lardner-Burke DFC was a South African flying ace of World War II, credited with 7.5 'kills'.[1]

Spitfire flown by Lardner-Burke

Enlisting in the Royal Air Force, he started light training in early 1940. In 1941 he was posted to 19 Squadron, after which he joined 46 Squadron in May 1941. In June 1941 the squadron moved to Malta. In November 1941 he a 12.7 mm round, that pierced the armour plating of his Hurricane behind him, hit him in the chest. He managed to land safely in Malta.[2]

His DFC citation reads:[3]

In November 1941, this officer was the pilot of one of 4 aircraft which engaged a force of 18 hostile aircraft over Malta and destroyed 3 and seriously damaged 2 of the enemy’s aircraft. During the combat Pilot Officer Lardner-Burke, who destroyed 1 of the enemy’s aircraft, was wounded in the chest and his aircraft was badly damaged. Despite this, he skillfully evaded his opponents and made a safe landing on the aerodrome; he then collapsed. Throughout the engagement, this officer displayed leadership and courage of a high order. He has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft over Malta.

After recovering, he was posted to the UK as an instructor[2]

In April 1944 he was appointed Officer Commanding of No. 1 Squadron RAF and in December 1944 of RAF Church Fenton[2] He was awarded a bar to his DFC in February 1945.[4]