213 SQN RAF Battle of Britain WESTLAKE DFC signed photo

Each photo measures 5" by 7" with a white border on all sides with the signature handsigned on the specially elongated bottom margin.
The photograph is from the 1939-1945 period and has been reproduced and then autographed by - Group Captain George Herbert Westlake DSO DFC. Superb landscape photograph of 'B' Flight of No 213 Squadron. The photograph shows Joe Lynch, George Westlake, Hank hancock, Peter Crowther and Freddie Wilson (RCAF) sitting on the wing of a Hurricane.  Hand signed by George Westlake second from left in the picture,
Only 50 produced - signed and certified on reverse.   

 
 BB44 Group Captain George Herbert Westlake DSO DFC
Fighter Command Battle of Britain Hurricane Ace

Born on April 21 1918 in Rangoon, Westlake was a student at the De Havilland Aeronautical Technical School when he joined the RAFVR in September 1937 as an Airman u/t Pilot (740702).
Called up on September 1 1939, Westlake completed his training and was posted as a flying instructor, firstly at 9 EFTS, Ansty and later 3 FTS, South Cerney. He was commissioned on August 31 1940 and arrived at 6 OTU, Sutton Bridge.
After converting to Hurricanes, Westlake was posted to 43 Squadron at Usworth on September 21. He moved to 213 Squadron at Tangmere on the 29th and he claimed a Bf 109 destroyed on November 15.
In May 1941 213 Squadron embarked on the carrier HMS Furious for the Middle East. It flew off to Malta on the 2151 and went on to Mersa Matruh later the same day. During the campaign in Syria in June 1941, Westlake was attached to 80 Squadron. He shared a Vichy French Martin 167 on the 6th and destroyed a Dewoitine D 520 and shared another on the 9th. The squadron moved to Cyprus in July 1941. On the 18th Westlake destroyed a Ju 88 and on August 26 a Cant Z 1007.
In October 1941 he rejoined 213 Squadron and was appointed a Flight Commander. In June 1942 the squadron was in the Western Desert.  On the 10th Westlake probably destroyed a Bf 109 and damaged a Ju 87, on the 12th and 16th he destroyed two Bf 1095, on the 26th a Ju 87 and on July 5 he destroyed a Bf 110 and a Mc 202 and damaged another.
Westlake was posted away on August 24 to 244 Wing but when 213’s CO, Squadron Leader M H Young, was taken ill on the 31st, Westlake took temporary command. He was awarded the DFC (18.9.42). He led 213 until October 13 1942, when he was posted to 211 Group as a controller, later moving to 212 Group.
He was involved with planning the invasion of Sicily and Italy and in early 1945 he was appointed Wing Leader of 239 Wing. Westlake was awarded the DSO (22.6.45), being then credited with eleven enemy aircraft destroyed.
He retired from the RAF on July 25 1969, as a Group Captain.

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