Brian John O'Connor was born in Stoke, New Zealand, on 14 June 1922. He joined No. 486 Squadron in December 1943 and remained with the unit until May 1945. He was awarded a DFC, gazetted on 20 July 1945.
Brian O'Connor died on 3 August 1993.
No. 486 Squadron pilots, Left to right: Jim Sheddan, Bill Trott, Brian O'Connor, Spike Umbers, Johnny Wood, Colin McDonald and Dusty Miller.
O'Connor's victories in Tempest
Date of Claim | Type Claimed | Aircraft Serial No | Location of Claim | Unit |
16 June 1944 | V-1 | SA-M (JN809) | Rye-Dungeneness | 486 Sqn |
5 July 1944 | V-1 | SA-D (JN803) | 6-7m S Beachy Head | 486 Sqn |
6 July 1944 | 1/2 x V-1 | SA-D (JN803) | Marden area | 486 Sqn |
6 July 1944 | V-1 | SA-D (JN803) | N Hastings | 486 Sqn |
11 July 1944 | V-1 | SA-B (JN767) | nr Ewell | 486 Sqn |
13 July 1944 | V-1 | SA-U (JN866) | 7m S West Malling | 486 Sqn |
27 July 1944 | V-1 | SA-L (JN801) | Beachy Head | 486 Sqn |
4 August 1944 | V-1 | SA-L (JN801) | 6m NNW Rye | 486 Sqn |
29 August 1944 | V-1 | SA-F (EJ577) | nr West Malling | 486 Sqn |
31 August 1944 | V-1 | SA-C (JN802) | E Maidstone | 486 Sqn |
15 April 1945 | Fw190 | SA-M (SN129) | Velzen | 486 Sqn |
Sources:
Aces High Vol. 2 by Christopher Shores
The Typhoon and Tempest Story by Christopher Shores and Chris Thomas