M.138 First Officer  Hon. Charles Dutton 

flag england

 b. 13 May 1911, Burford Oxon  23 Jul 1940 to Nov-45 

  ata charles dutton 1933 1933      

 

George Dutton's brother

Physical Defects: No right arm [the result of a congenital defect, not amputation]

Next of kin: Father, Lt-Col James Huntly Sherborne, 6th Baron Sherborne, Sherborne Park, Cheltenham, Glos.

Ed. at Stowe

He worked in the Finance Department of the Hospital Savings Association, and was  a Temporary Assistant, Ministry of Economic Warfare, Apr-40 to Jun-40

Postings: 1FPP, 9FPP, 12FPP

He got a Certificate of Commendation, in 1942: "On the 29th April, F/O C Dutton (a one-armed pilot) was ferrying a Spitfire from Lyneham to Biggin Hill. When he had got about a mile beyond Kenley he experienced complete engine failure due to a broken connecting rod. He succeeded in lowering his undercarriage and flaps and in landing his aircraft at Kenley (runway aerodrome) in a high wind without further damage."

"This officer has been flying consistently well and keenly ... a most likeable person whose discipline is good."

Lettice Curtis described him as 'a particularly English pilot'; "One day, in an honest effort to excuse something which American instructor Charles Smith had said or done, he said to all and sundry 'Remember he's just an American'."

m. Joan Molesworth Jenkinson, also an ATA pilot, in 1943:

 ata joan and charles dutton HB

Despite his disability, Charles ferried 541 Spitfires, 14 Mustangs, 232 Typhoons, 4 Fireflies and 47 Tempests during his time with the ATA.

He duly became 7th Baron Sherborne in 1949, on the death of his father. He then farmed in Gloucestershire and was a member of Gloucestershire County Council for some years.

d. 25 Dec 1983 


 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

 

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