George Goodman (RAF officer)
|
George Ernest Goodman DFC |
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | George Ernest Goodman |
| Nickname(s) |
Randy (No. 1 Squadron) Benny (No. 73 Squadron) |
| Born |
8 October 1920 Haifa, British Military administered Palestine |
| Died | 14 June 1941 (aged 20) Western Desert |
| Buried | Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Unit |
1 Squadron 73 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Randy (No. 1 Squadron)
Flying Officer George Ernest Goodman DFC (8 October 1920 – 14 June 1941), sometimes known as Randy or Benny Goodman, was a Royal Air Force flying ace of the Second World War who flew in the Battle of Britain as one of "The Few". Goodman is credited with 10 individual kills and six shared.
Goodman was born in Haifa, pre-British Mandate Palestine on 8 October 1920 to a British father, Sidney Charles Goodman, and Bida Lerner, a Turkish national of Jewish descent from Zikhron Ya'akov. He had two sisters, Winifred and Ellen. His parents were married in St Lukes Church in Haifa, circa 1920.
Goodman was sent to the United Kingdom to be educated at Highgate School in London. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps whilst at school. His parents left Haifa in 1939 when his father was transferred to Lagos, Nigeria as a British civil servant with the Nigerian Railway.
Goodman joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 and was granted a short service (six year) commission on 2 September 1939 with the rank of Acting Pilot Officer.
He undertook Elementary & Reserve Flying Training and then attended Flying Training School, where he converted to the Hawker Hurricane. On 27 February 1940, he was assigned to No. 11 Group Pool 11 and then went to an Operational Training Unit.
On 1 May 1940, Goodman was assigned to No. 1 Squadron RAF and joined the squadron in the Battle of France.
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