Niels Erik Westergaard joins the Royal Air Force, but is killed in 1944 on a raid over Germany. He is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Niels Erik Westergaard is born and raised in England. His parents Otto Ludvig Blædel and Inger Westergaard, of Earls Court, London, are Danish. At the German occupation, 9 April 1940, he is staying in Denmark, but as a British citizen he is given the opportunity to leave the country. I suppose he held a dual citizenship as he is awarded the King Christian Xs Medal for Participation in the War 1940-45 (post mortem), which was only awarded to Danish nationals.
He volunteers for the Royal Air Force and is trained as a navigator. On 1 December 1942 he is promoted from Corporal to Pilot Officer (on probation) and on 1 June 1943 he is further promoted to Flying Officer. In 1943, he is attached to 619 Squadron, Bomber Command.
He is posted to No. 630 Squadron as this squadron is established at East Kirby in November 1943.
