Flying Officer RN Selley

Links of Long Standing

Several joined well before war was declared including amongst others, TH Archbell, AS Ainslie, I Bocock, CBE Burt-Andrews GL Cruickshanks, G Chater, IB Difford, FA Harte, GDL Haysom, CB Hull, GLB Hull, AG “Sailor” Malan, EJ Morris, MT Pattle, H Rosofsky, JF Roulston RN Selley, HWL Sheahan CR Taylor and FL Watson.

The First Ten Months

“The London Gazette” issues on June 11th and 14th confirmed “Distinguished Flying Cross” awards to Flight Lt AG “Sailor” Malan, Flying Officer RN Selley and Pilot Officer HA Haarhoff. Selley and his gunner Haarhoff were flying one of three No 220 Squadron Coastal Command Hudson’s tasked with protecting Dunkirk shipping when they encountered approximately 40 Luftwaffe Ju 87’s 17 which they attacked. “…Selley shot down two of the enemy aircraft with his front guns. By skilful manoeuvring he also enabled his rear gunner to shoot down a third and damage a further two enemy aircraft.” Malan’s citation recorded he “…. personally, shot down two enemy aircraft and, probably, three others. Flight Lieutenant Malan has displayed great skill, courage and relentless determination in his attacks upon the enemy."

The First Ten Months

Ronald Nicholas Selley, who was born in Durban in 1917 and educated at Michaelhouse, sailed from Cape Town on the “Stirling Castle” with private flying experience and commissioned in 1937. Arthur L Gavshon’s “Flight for Freedom” records the King “personally complimented Flying Officer Ronald Selley for successfully sinking a German submarine” but unclear whether that had any bearing on being “Mentioned in Dispatches” a month after his “Distinguished Flying Cross” award.

More than a “Few” South Africans

Albert de Villiers Leach was born in Queenstown and attended St Andrews College in Grahamstown at the same time as Thomas Rivett Carnac. According to “The London Gazette”, Flying Officer Albert de Villiers Leach, a member of the Reserve of Air Force Officers, was promoted to Flight Lt in September 1940.Anecdotal evidence suggests his RAF involvement predated the 1936 formation of the RAFVR and he was one of five South Africans including early “POW” Derek Heaton- Nicholls, who flew No 224 Hudson’s. Flight Lt Leach was awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” in April 1941, a month after his South African squadron colleague Nicholas Selley lost his life and an acting Squadron Leader Leach when he was “Mentioned in Dispatches” in September.