Bobby Oxspring
| Robert Wardlow Oxspring | |
|---|---|
Bobby Oxspring by Cuthbert Orde, 1940
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Bobby or Oxo |
| Born |
22 May 1919 Sheffield, England |
| Died | 8 August 1989 (aged 70) |
| Buried at | Cranwell, Lincolnshire |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1968 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Service number | 40743 |
| Unit |
No. 66 Squadron RAF No. 41 Squadron RAF |
| Commands held |
No. 91 Squadron RAF No. 222 Squadron RAF No. 24 Wing RAF |
| Battles/wars | World War II • Battle of Britain |
| Awards |
Distinguished Flying Cross & Two Bars Air Force Cross Airman's Cross (Netherlands) |
Group Captain Robert Wardlow "Bobby" Oxspring, DFC & Two Bars, AFC, (22 May 1919 – 8 August 1989) was a British Spitfire pilot with the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Oxspring was born in Sheffield on 22 May 1919. His father, also named Robert, had served in No. 54 Squadron RFC, and was a founder member and commander of No. 66 Squadron RFC during World War I, in which he was credited with several aerial victories, and was twice awarded the Military Cross before being wounded in action during a mid-air collision on 30 April 1917.
Oxspring was granted a short service commission as an acting pilot officer on 7 May 1938, being described at the time as "a tallish, good-looking, fair-headed bloke", and served in No. 66 Squadron RAF. He was regraded to pilot officer on 7 March 1939.
Known as one of the Battle of Britain's great aces, he was one of the fraction of The Few selected by Fighter Command to have a portrait drawn by Cuthbert Orde, sitting for it on 9 December 1940.
Flying throughout the Battle of Britain, Oxspring was promoted to flying officer on 3 September 1940, and on 25 October was shot down in Spitfire X4170 near Capel, Kent.
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