[1][2] In the 1911 Census of Redruth in Cornwall, Paddon, aged two, is living with his parents at Lannarth Vicarage.

[1] Paddon joined the RAF on a short service commission as a pilot officer (on probation) in June 1929.

[6] After several escape attempts from various camps, he was sent to Oflag IV-C at Colditz Castle, arriving there on 14 May 1941 with three other officers, including Airey Neave.

However, he managed to escape from his cell, and with the aid of other British prisoners of war, left the camp with a work party by picking up a ladder and placing on his shoulder, slipped away and travelled to Danzig.

He stowed away on a Swedish ship and successfully reached neutral Sweden on 18 June.