Nigel Rose joined 602 Squadron on 18 June 1940 and played a key role in 602 Squadron’s contribution to the Battle of Britain.
He claimed a Bf 110 destroyed on August 25 and on September 7 he shared a Bf 110. He was injured on the 9th and began flying again on October 7 and claimed a Bf 109 destroyed on the 29th. He was posted to 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on September 2 1941. Tour-expired, he went to 57 OTU, on November 12, as an instructor and then a course at CFS, Hullavington on November 11 1942, before returning to 57 OTU, on February 11 1943. He went to CGS, Sutton Bridge on June 2 for a gunnery instructor’s course and returned to 57 OTU on July 1. He was posted to 15 APC, Peterhead on January 10 1944, moving later to 14 APC, Ayr. He went to the Middle East on July 1, to HGS, El Ballah and returned to the UK in late May 1945 for a gunnery instructor’s course at CGS, Catfoss before going back to El Ballah in July. He returned to the UK in December and was released from the RAF in February 1946.