Address in 1941: 19 Hartington Rd, East Feltham, Middx Next of kin: (brother) Vishnu Badhe, Kelibag, Mahal, Nagpur, India M.Sc., then an aircraft assembler fitter for Heston Aircraft Co, Hounslow. From whom he received this slightly awkward endorsement: "I would say that Mr R M Badhe has been in our employ for about three years, and we have always found him to be a first-class reliable man from every point of view, and although it is always difficult to get under the skin of certain classes of Indians, I had no hesitation whatever in recommending him for a commission in the RAFVR, and in your case also I feel that he will give you excellent service... He has always conducted himself here in a very correct and respectful manner." However, his instructor's report in October 1942 was less complimentary: "A keen pilot whose assessment can only be judged by his ability to use his intelligence, which is below average. It was necessary to reprimand him for gross carelessness and lack of airmanship and he has been told that if on any future occasion his airmanship is proved to be lacking, his contract will most probably be terminated." Actually, he did have a few accidents ... - Jul-42, he had a burst tyre on landing a Spitfire (not to blame). - Sep-42, he landed an Oxford in the wrong direction and collided with another Oxford, severely damaging both (pilot to blame); - Nov-42, he taxied of the perimiter track (to avoid some cyclists, he said) and nosed over in the soft ground (pilot to blame);
d. 20 Jan 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Henley L3408 crashed in trees on Ulpha Farm nr Meathop, Westmorland, while attempting forced landing due to engine failure (suspected to be due to water in the petrol system). Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 26 Jan 1942:
"He was billeted with us ... he made many friends amongst my gentlemen, he was a gentleman in every possible way and we shall greatly miss him"
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