Theo’s early childhood was spent in Surbiton. His Father, Charles, an Anglo-American Businessman and entrepreneur met Theo’s Mother, Margarita, on a transatlantic crossing. Margarita was one of 9 children from a prominent Cuban family and was studying languages in Europe. Theo was born on Christmas Eve 1913. He had two younger siblings, Raymond and Berenice who were born in 1915 & 1917 respectively. In 1927 Theo went to Rugby School, where his brother was already a student. He was fluent in Spanish, learned from his Mother, and also learned French & German. He enjoyed acting in school plays and singing in the Choir. He was gregarious with an impish sense of humour and fun. Theo left school in 1931 and joined his Father’s Cement Company. In 1934 he went on holiday to Germany and on his return, convinced that war with Germany was a definite prospect, he started recreational flying lessons at Hendon. Theo married 'Lola' Fisher, who grew up in the Canary Islands and also spoke fluent Spanish, in Kensington in July 1939. In September when War was declared Theo and his siblings volunteered for service, Theo and his brother Ray applied to the RAF. Theo was accepted by the RAFVR to train as a bomber pilot, he first flew Tiger Moths and was then posted to RAF Cranwell where he passed out as a Pilot Officer. With 49 Squadron at RAF Scampton he joined a Handley Page Hampden crew as second pilot and navigator under the command of his friend Flying Officer Len Ratcliff. After completing 11 Ops Theo was posted to 14 OTU where he learned to fly the Avro Manchester Bomber. Following promotion to Flying Officer he was posted back to Scampton to serve in 83 Squadron. On the night of 29th March 1942, his third mission as command pilot with the new squadron his aircraft R5781 OL-R was posted as ‘Missing’ when it failed to return from the Lübeck raid. It was several weeks before his family received confirmation that his aircraft had crashed in the Kiel suburb of Plὃn. There were no survivors. Of the 242 aircraft which flew on the Lübeck raid, 10 were lost, including Theo’s. Biography courtesy of Sue Ash & Christopher Lumb. |