The Airmen's Stories - P/O W N C Salmond

William Noel Compton Salmond was born on 19th December 1916. He served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the 1930s and was awarded the Palestine Medal.

On 16th May 1938 Salmond transferred to the RAF on a short service commission. He did his initial training course at 3 E&RFTS Hamble, moving to 3 FTS South Cerney on 23rd July.

After completing his training Salmond was posted to CFS Upavon on 6th March 1939 for an instructors course, after which he went to 2 FTS Brize Norton. On 12th December he was posted to 5 BGS Jurby as a staff pilot.

From 26th May 1940 Salmond was attached to various maintenance units until going to 7 OTU Hawarden on 6th October. After converting to Spitfires he joined 64 Squadron at Coltishall on the 26th.

During a formation practice on the 30th, Salmond's section was vectored on to a Me110, which was intercepted and damaged, changing the flight into an authorised operational sortie and qualifying him for the Battle of Britain Clasp. He was credited with a share of the damage inflicted.

On 29th January 1941 Salmond was posted to No. 1 FTS Netheravon as an instructor. He returned to operations on 16th May, joining 611 Squadron at Hornchurch. He destroyed two Me109's in the Hazebrouck area on 22nd June 1941.

He went to 11 Group Flight at Hornchurch on 21st July 1941. Salmond later commanded a Defiant unit.

Salmond was released from the RAF in 1946, however he may have rejoined the RAF or RAuxAF as a photograph exists of him with a DH Vampire (below).

Salmond died on 26th September 1985.