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Name: RAINSFORD, Frederick Fitzpatrick 'Fred' CBE, DFC (Air Commodore)

Nee: son of Ross Carthy Rainsford of Royal Irish Constabulary

Birth Date: 12 Dec 1909 Fisherhill, Castlebar, Co Mayo

Death Date: 13 Feb 1999 Ross, Glos.

First Date: 1929

Last Date: 1932

Profession: Police, airman

Area: Londiani

Married: 1. In Barnet 1949 Winifred Audrey Meyer of Montreal, Canada, b. 15 Dec 1918 Canada, d. 2005 Ross, Glos.; 2. In Surrey 1939 Doreen Kitty Ralph b. 1 June 1916 Barrow, Lancs., d. 1980 Chelsea (prev. m. Merton Philip Tester 1923-1972 and Robert Mandy 1920-1996)

Children: Kathleen Mary (10.7.1950); another

Book Reference: Debrett, Accidental Airman, Red 19, Dict of Irish Biog

War Service: 1939-45 War commanding Bomber Squadrons and RAF Stations

School: Campbell College and Queen's University Belfast (B. Agriculture 1935)

General Information:

Accidental Airman

Red Book 1919 - Asst. Superintendent of Police - F.F. Rainsford

Dict of Irish Biog -After an unsuccessful attempt to join the Royal Navy as an officer cadet, he went to Kenya in 1929 to train for the colonial farming service. The depression led to a collapse in African agriculture and he returned to Ireland, where he entered Queen's University Belfast to study agriculture. He joined the college's debating society, the ‘Literific’, was awarded a debating prize medal, and later served as the society's president. In 1933 he joined the RAF Special Reserve and graduated BA in 1935. He realised that war was approaching and applied for a permanent commission in the RAF, which was granted in March 1936.

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