Richard Macklow Trousdale | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 23 January 1921 Waimate North, New Zealand |
| Died | 16 June 1947 (aged 26) Near Pershore, England |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | Royal Air Force (1939–1945) Royal New Zealand Air Force (1945–1947) |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Commands | No. 488 (NZ) Squadron |
| Battles / wars |
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| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar |
Richard Macklow Trousdale DFC & Bar (23 January 1921 – 16 June 1947) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with at least six, possibly seven, aerial victories.
Born in Waimate North, New Zealand, but raised in Auckland, Trousdale joined the RAF in 1939. After completing flight training, he was posted to No. 266 Squadron. He flew Supermarine Spitfires during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and during the subsequent Battle of Britain. He later flew with No. 255 and No. 409 Squadrons and achieved a number of aerial victories, many while flying Boulton Paul Defiants and Bristol Beaufighters on night fighting duties. In July 1942, he reformed No. 488 (NZ) Squadron and led it for several months. For much of the remainder of the war, he performed staff and training duties but transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in January 1945. He was killed in a flying accident when his de Havilland Mosquito crashed near Pershore in England.