Michael Torrens-Spence
| Michael Torrens-Spence | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Tiffy" |
| Born |
10 March 1914 Whiteabbey, County Antrim, Ireland |
| Died | 12 December 2001 (aged 87) Northern Ireland |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Years of service | 1927–1972 |
| Rank |
Captain (RN) Lieutenant colonel (Army) |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
DSO DSC AFC DFC (Greece) |
| Other work |
Ulster Special Constabulary Ulster Defence Regiment |
Captain Frederick Michael Alexander Torrens-Spence DSO, DSC, AFC (10 March 1914 – 12 December 2001) was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilot in the Second World War. Torrens-Spence earned the distinction of holding commissions in the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Known as 'Tiffy', Torrens-Spence was born in Whiteabbey, County Antrim, Ireland the son of a professional soldier. Educated at "Mourne Grange Public School", Kilkeel, at the age of 13 he attended Dartmouth Royal Naval College.
After initial service in the fleet Torrens-Spence volunteered for flying duties with the Fleet Air Arm, which at that time was under the command of the Royal Air Force. After flying training he was commissioned as a pilot in both the RAF and the Navy. His first postings were on the carriers HMS Furious and, in 1937, Glorious.
When war broke out, Torrens-Spence was serving on Glorious which was sent through the Suez Canal to hunt German surface raiders. He was then sent home from Aden to join the new carrier HMS Illustrious. Whilst serving on Illustrious which has been dispatched to the Mediterranean in September 1940, He took part in the attack on Italian battleships in the Battle of Taranto as a Swordfish torpedo bomber pilot. During the Swordfish attack in Taranto harbour, he torpedoed one of Italy's newest and largest battleships, the Littorio, sinking her in shallow water. He was awarded the DSC for this action.
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