John Urwin-Mann, (20 July 1920 – 7 March 1999) was a Canadian flying ace who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. During his service with the RAF, he achieved at least eight aerial victories.
Born in Victoria in British Columbia, Urwin-Mann joined the RAF in 1939 and the following year was posted to No. 253 Squadron, flying Hawker Hurricane fighters. He flew with this unit prior to and during the early days of the Battle of France in May 1940 before being transferred to No. 238 Squadron. He flew through the Battle of Britain and achieved the majority of his aerial victories, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Sent to the Middle East in 1941, he took command of No. 80 Squadron early the following year and then, in October 1942, moved to Malta where he led No. 126 Squadron. Subsequently, awarded a bar to his DFC, and then the Distinguished Service Order, he spent the final years of the war in a staff and training role. He remained in the RAF in the postwar period until 1959, when he retired with the rank of squadron leader. Settling in England, he died in 1999, aged 78.
Early life
John Ronald Urwin-Mann, known as Jack, was born on 20 July 1920 in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada. His parents were originally from the United Kingdom and in 1922, they relocated with Urwin-Mann to England, settling in Hove, East Sussex. Educated at Xavier College in Brighton, he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in March 1939. His training commenced at No. 15 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School at Redhill, and he was granted a short service commission as an acting pilot officer with effect from 24 June. The next month, he proceeded to No. 10 Flying Training School at Tern Hill.
Second World War
In December 1939, with his training completed, Urwin-Mann was sent to Athan for a conversion course on the Hawker Hurricane fighter. He was confirmed in his pilot officer rank at the end of the month and then in January 1940 was posted to No. 253 Squadron. At the time, the squadron was based at Manston and working up to operational status with its Hurricanes. It achieved this in April, and began to ferry aircraft to France for the fighter squadrons there. In May, just after the commencement of the Battle of France, Urwin-Mann was transferred to the newly formed No. 238 Squadron, which was based at Tangmere.
Battle of Britain
At the start of July, No. 238 Squadron was deemed ready for operations as part of No. 10 Group, operating from Middle Wallop, and soon became heavily engaged in the aerial fighting over the south west coast. On 11 July Urwin-Mann was one of three pilots that shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter to the south east of Portland. Two days later, he again combined with other pilots to destroy a Bf 110, also near Portland. The same day, he also claimed a Bf 110 as destroyed but this was not confirmed. On 20 July he made another claim that could not be confirmed, this time a Heinkel He 59 seaplane which was attacked to the south of The Needles. He destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter over Portland on 11 August and two days afterward, in the same vicinity, shot down another aircraft of the same type. The squadron shifted west the next day to St Eval in Cornwall and on 21 August, Urwin-Mann destroyed a Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber north of Trevose Head on 21 August.
No. 238 Squadron returned to Middle Wallop in September and as the Luftwaffe increased its attacks on the south east of England, was called upon to intercept the incoming raids. On 15 September, subsequently known as Battle of Britain Day, Urwin-Mann claimed two aerial victories. The first was a Heinkel He 111 medium bomber that was confirmed as shot down to the south of London. The second was another He 111, deemed to have been probably destroyed in the same area. He shot down another two He 111s over Bristol on 25 September and the next day destroyed a Bf 110 over the Isle of Wight. He damaged another Bf 110 on 27 September and his final aerial victory of the Battle of Britain was on 7 October, when he destroyed a Ju 88 west of Portland. His successes saw him awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the official announcement being made in The London Gazette on 26 November. The published citation read:
Urwin-Mann was promoted to flying officer at the end of 1940. The pace of operations slowed down over the winter months and the squadron only saw infrequent action for the early part of 1941.