RAF fighter pilot. Born John Randall Daniel Braham in Holcombe, Somerset, and known as 'Bob'. In World War II, he was one of the most successful night fighter pilots. He was awarded the DSO & Two Bars, the DFC & Two Bars and the AFC and from Belgium the Order of the Crown and their Croix de Guerre. In 1944 he was shot down and imprisoned by the Germans.
He was the most highly decorated airman in RAF Fighter Command. After the war he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and continued flying until his retirement, when he joined the Historic Sites Department of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Died in Nova Scotia.
His Wikipedia page gives a comprehensive review of his life.
John Randall Daniel Braham was born on 6 April 1920, the elder child of the Reverend Ernest Goodall Braham (1891-1951) and Ethel May Braham née Randall (1894-1941). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1920 in the Shepton Mallet Registration District, Somerset. His sister was Josephine Irene Braham (1921-1989).
On 15 April 1941 he married Joan H. Hyde in Duxford, Cambridgeshire and they had three children: Michael R. Braham (b.1942); Robert J. Braham (b.1943) and David S. Braham (b.1948).
Having emigrated to Canada he died of brain tumour, aged 53 years, on 7 February 1974 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was neither buried or cremated but donated his body to medical science.
He is shown as 'Wing Commander J. R. D. 'Bob' Braham' on the English Heritage blue plaque at 139 Hendon Way, London, NW2.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk and Andrew Behan.
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