Group Captain Francis Victor Beamish, DSO & Bar, DFC, AFC (27 September 1903 – 28 March 1942) was an Irish-born Royal Air Force fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.

[3] Returning to England in October, Beamish participated in a course at the Central Flying School at Wittering before commencing a tour as an instructor at No.

[6] Beamish played rugby union for Harlequins, Leicester, Hampshire, Royal Air Force and Irish Trials for several years.

[7] Beamish was posted to Canada in March 1929 on an exchange with the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he worked in training and development of an aerobatics display team.

[9] A notice in the London Gazette in February 1937 recorded that Flight Lieutenant Francis Victor Beamish (RAF retired) had been reinstated on the active list as a flight lieutenant with effect from 27 January 1937 (with seniority dated 23 March 1932,[10] having relinquished his commission with the Reserve of Air Force Officers,[11] Having recovered his health he was reinstated with full flying status and posted to command No.

[2] Squadron Leader Beamish served as Honorary Aide-de-Camp representing the Royal Air Force on the staff of the Governor of Northern Ireland from 6 April 1937 until 6 January 1938.

[2] Beamish was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 23 July 1940, when his citation stated: Wing Commander Beamish took over command of a Royal Air Force station after two squadrons there had been intensively engaged in successful fighting operations over France for thirteen days and personally led them on many patrols against the enemy.

In June, 1940, during an offensive mission over France, six Messerschmitt Bf 109s were destroyed, two of them by Wing Commander Beamish himself and twelve driven off.

His coolness and courage have proved an inspiration to all.In all his sorties in 1940, he was damaged by enemy action three times, on each occasion getting his aircraft down safely.

[6] On 11 November 1940 an attack was carried out by Italian aircraft based in Belgium during which Beamish claimed a probable Fiat CR.42 Falco bi-plane fighter.

Beamish was unable to fly regularly by now but occasionally flew over occupied Europe and claimed a probable Bf 109 near Mardyck on 9 August.

[2] Beamish was awarded a Bar to the DSO on 2 September; his citation stated: Group Captain Beamish commanded a Royal Air Force Station from October 1940 to March, 1941 and during that period carried out 71 operational sorties in which he destroyed an enemy fighter, probably destroyed three other hostile aircraft and damaged others.

The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Group Captain Beamish are of the highest order and he has set a magnificent example.Beamish was appointed to command RAF Kenley on 25 January 1942 and was able to fly more frequently with his squadrons.

Accompanied by Wing Commander Robert Boyd he took off on the morning of 12 February on a reconnaissance flight during which they chased two Bf 109s before sighting part of the German Fleet making its 'Channel Dash'.