Mosquito Night Intruder Ace: Wing Commander Bertie Rex O'Bryen Hoare DFC & Bar, DSO & Bar

Bertie Rex O’Bryen Hoare was born on 6 June 1912. Having been educated at Harrow and Wye Agricultural College, ‘Sammy’, as he was often known to friends and family, entered the RAF on a short—service commission in 1936.

In October 1938, while piloting a Fairy Battle Bertie sustained a serious injury from a piece of loose piece of aircraft cowling. This incident resulted in him being totally blinded in one eye. Though he was initially grounded, his determination to return to the air never dim...