Born on 14 January 1915 in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Raymond’s grandfather, Alfred, was a successful businessman in Kettering, owning a grocers, a drapery and a photographers amongst other businesses. Raymond’s father ran a small grocery shop. His mother Clara had a successful career as a councillor and became deputy mayor of Kettering. Raymond joined the Army Training Corps at Stamford Road School and attended Kimbolton School from 1927-1933. Raymond and his brother Bob flew and kept a biplane at Sywell aerodrome, and he made his first flight in 1934. After leaving school, Raymond worked for Boots where he trained as a pharmacist, first at the Kettering Branch, then in London. |
On 3rd November 1940 at Tal Handaq, Malta, his Wellington crashed shortly after take-off and burst into flames. What followed earned him a George Cross, which was published in the London Gazette on 11 March 1941 with the following citation: "The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the George Cross to: — 700404 Sergeant Raymond Mayhew Lewin, Royal Air Force. In November, 1940, Sergeant Lewin was the captain of an aircraft on a night bombing mission. Shortly after the take off the aircraft began to sink and crashed into a hillside where it burst into flames. Sergeant Lewin extricated himself and saw three of his crew of four climbing out of the escape hatch. He ordered them to run clear. He then ran round the blazing wing in which full petrol tanks were burning and crawled under it to rescue his injured second pilot. Despite his own injuries—a cracked kneecap and severe contusions on the face and legs—he dragged and carried the pilot some 40 yards from the aircraft to a hole in the ground, where he lay on him just as the bombs exploded. This superbly gallant deed was performed in the dark under most difficult conditions and in the certain knowledge that the bombs and petrol tanks would explode. |
After a period of recuperation following the shrapnel injuries sustained in the incident in Malta, he returned to the UK and joined 109 Squadron. |