Wing Commander Patric Coote

211 Squadron RAF

Early Life

Patric, better known as Paddy, Coote was born in Eton on 7 January 1910, one of five sons of Grace (nee Robinson) and Commander Bernard Trotter Coote OBE. All his four brothers were Old Wokingians.

Paddy at school

At Woking County School Paddy and his brothers (Denis, Roderic, Henry and Philip) all excelled at sport. At the school sports day in the summer of 1923 Paddy won first prize in seven disciplines. He first played cricket for the school first XI at the age of 13.

Military Career

After leaving school and passing the boy mechanic exams for the RAF in 1923 Paddy enlisted in September 1926 as an aircraft apprentice. Three years later he gained a cadetship to the RAF College at Cranwell in Lincolnshire. In July 1930 he justified his selection by winning the Sword of Honour beating classmate Douglas Bader (of Reach For The Sky fame) in what became a two horse race. He was then posted to a fighter squadron.

His love of sport continued after joining the RAF where he was awarded colours in hockey, athletics, boxing and rugby. He was also RAF squash champion.

The pinnacle of his sporting career came when he represented Ireland against Scotland in rugby at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.

In September 1931 Paddy was accepted for the flying instructors course which he passed Category A1 (service number 26155). He returned to Cranwell as an instructor until 1933 when he was transferred to the staff at the Central Flying School at Upavon in Wiltshire. In December 1934 Paddy was transferred to a bomber squadron.

On 1 June 1935 he married Muriel Elsmie, daughter of Major General Alexander Elsmie and they set up home in Chobham. They were to have two daughters.Anne born in 1937 and Brigid born in 1939. Two of Muriel's brothers were killed in WW2 while serving with the RAF.

Paddy was promoted to Flight Lieutenant in January 1936 and in October 1936 he resumed flying duties and was posted to the Middle East as instructor. In February 1938 he was seconded to the British Military Mission in Egypt and in October of that year he was promoted to Squadron Leader. In December 1940 he was again promoted to Wing Commander of British Air Forces, Greece.

In early 1941 there was a very real threat of a German invasion of Greece. The Greeks adopted a soft approach and the RAF were only permitted to operate from Albania. Paddy was sent to 211 Squadron in Paramythia, a well hidden airfield 3,000 feet up in the mountains with only tented accommodation for the crews. He arrived on 19 February to establish an Advanced Operations Wing at the base. In spite of the spartan conditions the airfield was considered important enough to attract visits from Anthony Eden and Field Marshall Wavell (Commander Middle East Forces). Peter the young exiled King of Yugoslavia was also stationed there at the time.

Tented accomodation at Paramythia

On 28 February Paddy was piloting a single seater Gloster Gladiator, the bi-plane was rapidly being rendered obsolete by the development of mono-planes yet Paddy was able to confirm his only kill of the war. He shot down another bi=plane, an Italian CR42a near the Tepelene coast in southern Albania.

On 13 April 211 Squadron undertook two raids during the morning on vehicles and troop concentrations in the Florina area near the northern Greek border under escort from Hurricanes.

In the afternoon the unit was briefed to send six Blenheim bombers to the area. Paddy decided to go on the raid to 'have a look' at the german advance. The formation was led by the base commander Squadron Leader Irvine.

At 1605 the Blenheims approached Lake Prespa on the modern day Macedonia, Albania and Greek borders. They were spotted by three Messerschmidt Bf108e's. The fighters closed rapidly and opened fire immediately. In just four minutes all six Blenheims were shot down.

It was a dark day for the RAF. Of the 18 crew aboard the bombers 14 were killed, two died later in hospital, one was shot a few days later. Only one crew member (Flight Lieutenant Alan Godfrey) escaped to Greece. He was killed in action later in the war.

Paddy Coote is buried in Phaleron Military Cemetery near Athens (grave 4.c.19).

If you have any corrections or further information please contact me.