He was a Squadron Leader by the time he died in 1941. Here's what I have found;
Flt Lt Robert Bickford
Actg Plt Offr on 1935-12-23
Plt Offr on 1936-10-28
Fg Offr on 1938-06-28
Squadron Leader R Bickford, Flight Sergeant G W Duckmanton: killed; engine failure at Pocklington, Yorkshire, during operational flight, Halifax L9518, 76 Squadron, 30 August 1941.
In 1941, 37462 Squadron Leader John Robert BICKFORD Flight Commander, 76 Squadron lost his life while returning from an attack on Frankfurt.
On 29 Aug 1941, Halifax BMkII L9518 MP-? took off from from Middleton-St.George at 21:15hrs for Frankfurt. Later when nearly home, the Captain ordered the crew to abandon at 2000ft. It crashed close to RAF Pocklington at 04:15hrs. Bickford went down with the aircraft with his parachute wrapped round the fin. The crash was thought to be empty fuel tanks.
In 1941, 37462 Squadron Leader John Robert BICKFORD Flight Commander, 76 Squadron lost his life while returning from an attack on Frankfurt.
On 29 Aug 1941, Halifax BMkII L9518 MP-? took off from from Middleton-St.George at 21:15hrs for Frankfurt. Later when nearly home, the Captain ordered the crew to abandon at 2000ft. It crashed close to RAF Pocklington at 04:15hrs. Bickford went down with the aircraft with his parachute wrapped round the fin. The crash was thought to be empty fuel tanks.
L9518 Crew:
Squadron Leader John Robert BICKFORD Captain/Pilot. Killed in Action
The London Gazette 17/05/1940
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned awards:
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; Acting Flight Lieutenant Richard Bickford (37462)
The above awards are for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.
The London Gazette 03/09/1940
Royal Air Force, General Duties Branch
The undermentioned Flying Officers are promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant:- 28/06/1940 Richard Bickford DFC 37462
No. 76 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia
Second World War
The squadron was next reformed at RAF Finningley on 12 April 1937 from 'B' Flight of No. 7 Squadron, equipped with Vickers Wellesley bombers. These were replaced by Handley Page Hampdens and Avro Ansons in April 1939, the unit moving to RAF Upper Heyford at the outbreak of war. It performed an operational training role until 8 April 1940, when it merged with No. 7 Squadron to form No. 16 Operational Training Unit (OTU).
Halifaxes
The squadron reformed shortly on 30 April 1940 at RAF West Raynham as a Hampden unit before being disbanded on 2 May 1940.[4] On 1 May 1941, the squadron reformed properly at RAF Linton-on-Ouse as the second Handley Page Halifax bomber squadron, part of the newly created No. 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command. The Squadron moved to RAF Middleton St. George in June 1941, returning to Linton-on-Ouse in July 1942.
MCC Trials:-
https://daveriley.weebly.com/uploads/4/8/4/5/4845046/1932-12-31_motor_cycling_club_winter_trial_-_london_to_exeter_.pdfMCC London Exeter Trial 1932.
Starting from Virginia Water at 2:32 number 152 Bickford, R. Lancia cubic capacity 2120cc
MCC London Exeter Trial 1933.
Starting from Virginia Water at 5;34 number 343 Levetus, F.B. Lancia cubic capacity 2120cc
Starting from Virginia Water at 5:44 number 344 Robinson, J.A. Lancia cubic capacity 2120cc
MCC London Exeter Trial 1934.
Starting from Virginia Water at 1:00 number 150 Powys-Lybbe, A. Lancia cubic capacity 2120cc
Starting from Virginia Water at 2:39 number 249 Parker, J.F. Lancia cubic capacity 2120cc
Starting from Virginia Water at 4:10 number 340 Brotherton, B. V. Lancia Lambda cubic capacity 2120cc
MCC London Exeter Trial 1935.
Starting from Virginia Water at 2:34 number Parker, J. F. Lancia Lambda cubic capacity 2120cc
Starting from Virginia Water at 2:35 number Hull, D.H.C. Lancia Lambda cubic capacity 2120cc
He doesn't seem to have competed again but others took up the mantle of campaigning Lambdas on the Exeter.
