Michael Patrick H. Stephenson

[Christine53]

From the Lancashire Evening Post in 1943 :

Another Southport man awarded the DFC , Squadron Leader Patrick Stephenson , son of Lieut. Col.
and Mrs H P Stephenson of Queen's Road. He fought in the Battle of Britain and was a Hurricane pilotm in operations over France and Germany. Now with the RAF in Burma.

Another report says he lives in Hull .

[Spikey68]

From the Lancashire Evening Post in 1943 :

Another Southport man awarded the DFC , Squadron Leader Patrick Stephenson , son of Lieut. Col.
and Mrs H P Stephenson of Queen's Road. He fought in the Battle of Britain and was a Hurricane pilotm in operations over France and Germany. Now with the RAF in Burma.

Another report says he lives in Hull .

According to Honour the Airmen there is only one Patrick Stephenson who was awarded the DFC. According to The Men of the Battle of Britain (brief summary of his entry) that was Patrick Joseph Thomas Stephenson (81343), who was born in Dublin on 25th Aug 1918. Privately educated across Europe between 1924 and 1934, offered a place at Oxford Uni at 16 but didn't go because his father deemed him too young.

Joined RAF in 1938. Fought in BoB with 607 Squadron. Subsequently commanded same squadron in Far East.

Left RAF in 1955 and emigrated to Canada.

[yekepa]

Thank you, great!
Y

[Christine53]

M P H Stephenson was born in France and I'm wondering if that's where Hugh Percival and Gladys married. I found a medal card for Captain , and  Lieutenant, Hugh Percival Stephenson KRRC. On the back it says : Appn ( application ? ) for medals 3-11-25;  and gives an address , the first card I've ever seen with one , 7 Avenue Lafayette , Seine et Oise.

[Christine53]

As the family were in Southport in 1943 , as per the Lancashire Evening Post 1943 , I think this may refer to Peter Christopher Stephenson :

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=%22peter+christopher+stephenson%22

The reference is to a Naturalisation Certificate dated 1944 for a Peter Christopher Stephenson of no nationality , resident in Southport.

[yekepa]

CB53
and Spikey
You have gone to so much trouble, thank you both. It would be great if he was the one who got DFC, but as he was born in 1925 he would have been too young to have joined RAF in 1938, so I don't think it was him.
I have his pilot log books and he joined RAF in 1944 -1967.
Yes that is where they lived in France. I do know that there is an Isle of Wight connection, and that is where he died.
Many thanks
Y

[Christine53]

Hi yekepa,

It is the brother , Patrick , who won the DFC, not Peter Christopher. Patrick appears to have been born in 1918. Perhaps he was a half brother  or maybe Hugh and Gladys were together before the divorce in 1925. It won't be possible to find out anything on Peter Christopher's service as records are still with MOD, although you can apply if you meet certain criteria.

We have included information on the other family members as you did ask about parents and siblings in your first post.

Edit : By Patrick I mean Patrick Joseph Thomas , not Michael Patrick H.

[yekepa]

Thank you so much, it looks like Patrick would have been born whilst his Mother was still in her first marriage!
At least he stuck with her!
Y

[Asgsasgs]

Hello. Just came across these posts. I am one of Michael's daughters. Peter was my uncle (obviously). May I ask what your interest is?? Would be very interested as family history is patchy but I may be able to fill in a few blanks or you may have info we don't.