Person    | Male  Born 1913  Died 17/12/1955

Ernest Bitmead

Categories: Armed Forces

War served, WW2 i

Commemorated on a memorial as having served in, and survived, WW2.

Wing Commander Ernest Ralph Bitmead was born in 1913, the second of the seven children of Ralph Bitmead (1885-1961) and Naomi Bitmead née Dodd (1890-1974). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1913 in the Wallingford registration district, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), and his father was a farmer. 

He was listed as a probationary Midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve with effect from 1 January 1930 and joined the Royal Air Force, service number 34139, in March 1934. Our Picture Source gives details of life and career as does the American Air Museum in Britain website. These confirm that he served as the Squadron Leader of No.71 Squadron from 14 August 1941 for about one week. On 21 November 1944 he was listed in the London Gazette as an Acting Group Captain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Telephone directories from 1953 listed him as Wing Commander E. R. Bitmead at Rose Farm, West End, Flax Bourton, Somerset. Probate records showed his home to be Rose Farm, West End, Nailsea, Somerset and confirm that he died, aged 42 years, on 17 December 1955 at The Manor, Cholsey, Berkshire. When probate was granted to his widow on 6 April 1956, his effects totalled £3,075-15s-1d.

He was cremated at Headington Crematorium, Bayswater Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9RZ and his name is also shown on the Battle of Britain London Monument, Victoria Embankment, London, SW1.

Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Ernest Bitmead

Commemorated ati

Eagle Squadrons

{On the front of the pillar, facing north, into the square, below a carved im...

Read More

Other Subjects

A. Exworthy

A. Exworthy

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Indian Rebellion / Indian Mutiny

Indian Rebellion / Indian Mutiny

A major, but ultimately unsuccessful, uprising in India against the rule of the British East India Company. Also known as the Sepoy Mutiny.

Event, Armed Forces, India

1 memorial
R. Watson

R. Watson

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
William Jonas

William Jonas

Footballer and soldier. Born in Blyth, Northumberland. He started his football career with Jarrow Croft and joined Clapton Orient in June 1912. At the outbreak of WW1 he enlisted with the 17th Midd...

Person, Armed Forces, Sport / Games, France

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
J. Adams

J. Adams

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial

Previously viewed

C. J. Johnson

C. J. Johnson

Name on one of the main panels of the East Ham WW1 memorial.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
R. Rafis

R. Rafis

Name on one of the main panels of the East Ham WW1 memorial.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
E. A. Slade
War dead, WW1
1 memorial