Fighter All Weather (FAW) of the Fleet Air Arm.

Lieutenant (P) N.L. Dudgeon. RN.
1930-1961

This page is dedicated to his memory and produced with the kind permission of his family. His cousin, Peter Dudgeon has treasured these documents handed down through his family. (submitted to seavixen October 2007)

Lt. Norman Leslie Dudgeon was affectionately known amonst his friends as "Dudge". His family called him by his middle name. A very experienced pilot and an Air Warfare Instructor (AWI). A graduate of NAS Pensacola. Tall and impressive, he stood at 6ft 3"inches.

He lost his life in an accident flying a Sea Vixen Mk 1 of 893 Sqn at night from HMS Ark Royal on 6th January 1961. Born 12.6.1930. He was 30 years old.

An ex National Serviceman, he joined as a career Naval Officer. He flew Sea Hawks during the Suez Crisis and conducted then Top Secret "Firestreak" missile firing trials, recieving a commendation. He stood out proudly when seen with his messmates and was qualified to take command of a Squadron.



RECORD OF SERVICE FOR Lt N L DUDGEON RN 
UNIT FROM TO
B.T.U.1. WHITING FIELD US NAVY 12 DEC 52 23 MAY 53
B.T.U.3. SAUFLEY FIELD US NAVY 23 MAY 53 06 JUN53
B.T.U.3. BARIN FIELD US NAVY 07 JUN 53 14 AUG 53
B.T.U.2. CORRY FIELD US NAVY 15 AUG 53 11 SEP 53
A.W.F. CORPUS CHRISTI US NAVY 28 SEP 53 06 NOV 53
ATU 101 NAS PENSACOLA FLORIDA 07 NOV 53 10 FEB 54
CAR QUAL NAS PENSACOLA FLORIDA 14 FEB 54 23 MAR 54
738 SQN RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 15 JUN 54 24 SEP 54
801 SQN RNAS FORD 04 OCT 54 05 JAN 55
810 SQN HMS CENTAUR 06 JAN 55 22 MAR 55
AIRWORK St DAVID METEOR JET CON 19 MAY 55 10 JUN 55
810 SQN RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 27 JUN 55 10 JAN 56
810 SQN HMS ALBION 10 JAN 56 14 MAY 56
810 SQN RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 14 MAY 56 05 AUG 56
810 SQN HMS BULWARK 06 AUG 56 19 DEC 56
STATION FLIGHT RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 21 JAN 57 30 JAN 57
238 OCU AWF RAF NORTH LUFFENHAM 04 FEB 57 18 APR 57
766 SQN RNAS MERRYFIELD 06 MAY 57 16 JUN 57
893 SQN RNAS MERRYFIELD 17 JUN 57 27 AUG 57
893 SQN HMS ARK ROYAL 28 AUG 57 25 NOV 57
893 SQN RNAS MERRYFIELD 26 NOV 57 26 JAN 58
893 SQN HMS ARK ROYAL 27 JAN 58 05 JUN 58
893 SQN RNAS YEOVILTON 06 JUN 58 24 SEP 58
893 SQN HMS VICTORIOUS 25 SEP 58 13 JAN 59
736 SQN RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 24 FEB 59 06 APR 60
764 SQN SQN HMS EXCELLENT 25 APR 60 27 MAY 60
764 SQN RNAS LOSSIEMOUTH 30 MAY 60 28 JUN 60
766 B SQN RNAS YEOVILTON 15 AUG 60 29 AUG 60
893 SQN RNAS YEOVILTON 02 SEP 60 25 NOV 60
893 SQN HMS ARK ROYAL 25 NOV 60 06 JAN 61
COURSES  
BASIC TRAINING @ PENSACOLA 18 SEP 53  
ALL WEATHER FLIGHT @ CORPUS CHRISTI 06 NOV 53  
ADVANCE TRAINING @ CORPUS CHRISTI 23 MAR 54  
No.2 SEA FURY CONVERSION @ LOSSIE 04 SEP 54  
METEOR JET CONVERSION @ AIRWORK 10 JUN 55  
184 NF/AW RAF NORTH LUFFENHAM 28 APR 57  
 

View the following credits and records for "Dudge"

 

View Dudges' Photograph Gallery, Wings Presentation and Sqn group photographs.

 

View the Dudgeon familys' documentation covering his loss.

A spare engine box is stowed on the flight deck close to the wingtip safety line. In those days the combination of such small aircraft carriers and tight storage spaces made flying dangerous and hazardous.

The reader can now easily see that "Dudge" was a highly skilled, highly qualified Fleet Air Arm, Royal Naval Pilot. We have members of seavixen, collegues who served with him describing him as very popular. They testify to the sadness of his loss all these years later. He was a fine example and role model for all young future aviators.

The following is a family epitaph to "Dudge".

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth....Put my hand out and touched the face of God!

Peter Dudgeon. cousin of Lt. (P) N.L. Dudgeon RN. 1930/1961

Finally included here are the reflections Peter Dudgeons' Father.

Norman Dudgeon 1909/2002 uncle of Lt. (P) N.L. Dudgeon RN. 1930-1961

This verse in his own handwriting was found in his diary after his death. A silent Prayer, a thought, a Tear. Though absent you are very near.

The family wish this to reflect how much "Dudge" was missed.

A young "Dudge" seen here in an RN/USN mix uniform. Identified as in flying training with the USN at Pensacola.

Dudge seen here in fine form.

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