563627 Sgt Thomas Gray (20th Entry)
On 12 May 1940, over the Albert Canal, Belgium, one bridge in particular was being used by the invading army, with protection from fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft and machine-guns. The RAF was ordered to demolish this vital bridge, and five Fairey Battle bombers were despatched with Sergeant Gray as the navigator in the plane leading the bombing attack. They met an inferno of anti-aircraft fire, but the mission was accomplished, much of the success being due to the coolness and resource of the pilot (Donald Edward Garland) of the leading aircraft and the navigation of Sergeant Gray. Unfortunately the leading aircraft and three others did not return.
Gray is buried at the Haverlee War Cemetery near Leuven in Belgium.
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The Albert Medal
| Named after the the Prince Consort (who had died in 1861) this medal was awarded for gallantry in life saving at sea and on land. In 1949 the Albert Medal in Gold was replaced by the George Cross.
Holders of this medal were invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross. Some 49 of 64 did so but this did not include the Brat who was awarded this reward for gallantry.
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Corporal Archibald Charles Wood (3rd Entry) - LG: 22 Jan 37
The citation reads: His former Majesty, King Edward VIII was graciously pleased to award the Albert Medal to Corporal Archibald Charles Wood in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry when the RAF aircraft in which he was a passenger was wrecked near Nidhauli, India on 8th February 1936. Corporal Wood, who was serving on 60 (B) Sqn based at RAF Kohat, was uninjured but dazed as a result of the crash, re-entered the blazing wreckage in an endeavour to save the pilot. In so doing he received very severe burns as a result of which his left hand had to be amputated.
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The George Cross
| The George Cross ranks with the Victoria Cross as the nation's highest award for gallantry, and was instituted in 1940 to recognise actions of supreme gallantry in circumstances for which the Victoria Cross was not appropriate. Thus, it may be awarded to civilians, as well as members of the Armed Forces for acts of gallantry not in the presence of the enemy, including, for example, military explosive ordnance disposal personnel.
It is awarded "for acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger."
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362420 Wg Cdr Leonard Henry Harrison (5th Entry) - LG: 03 Jan 41
In February 1940 when serving as a civilian instructor at RAF Manby he was called to use his knowledge and skill when a grain carrier limped into Immimgham Dock with an unexploded bomb wedged in the main deck. With help from colleagues Harrison defused the bomb which had a fuze of a type unknown at that time. A few weeks later there was a similar incident involving another bomb onboard a fishing vessel in the Humber which again was successfully defused.
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362701 Flt Cadet William Neil McKechnie (5th Entry) - LG: 18 Oct 29
On 20 June, 1929, an aeroplane piloted by Flight Cadet C J Giles crashed on landing at RAF College Cranwell and burst into flames. The pilot was stunned, but managed to release his safety belt and fall out of the machine in a dazed condition. Flight Cadet McKechnie, who had landed in another aeroplane about the same time some two hundred yards away, left his machine and ran at full speed towards the scene of the accident. The petrol had spread over an area about ten yards in diameter, in full blaze, with Giles lying in it semi-conscious. McKechnie, without hesitation, ran into the flames and pulled out Giles, who was badly burned. McKechnie, who was himself scorched and superficially burned, then proceeded to extinguish Giles's burning clothing. There is no doubt that without McKechnie's assistance Giles would have been burned to death, as he was quite incapable of moving himself. His machine was entirely destroyed, and the ground for some distance around was burned up by the spread of the ignited petrol. (For this action Arnold was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal which later became the George Cross)
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363339 LAC Walter Arnold (7th Entry) - LG: 09 Nov 28
On 20 June 1928, Leading Aircraftman Arnold was a passenger in an aircraft which crashed on landing at Digby Aerodrome. Arnold was able to free himself from the burning wreckage but he re-entered the flames in order to rescue the unconscious pilot. In doing so, Arnold sustained burns to his face, neck and hands and his actions undoubtedly saved the pilot's life. (For this action Arnold was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal which later became the George Cross)
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364701 LAC Robert Ewing Douglas (9th Entry) - LG: 27 Mar 31
An aeroplane proceeding on patrol with a crew of two and a load of live bombs stalled shortly after leaving the ground and crashed on the edge of the aerodrome, immediately bursting into flames. Leading Aircraftman Douglas, who witnessed the crash, was the first to arrive on the scene of the accident and found the air gunner lying two yards from the wreckage, his clothes burning badly. These flames Douglas quenched with a hand extinguisher, and, after disentangling part of the gun equipment from the injured man's person, dragged him clear of the machine with the assistance of another airman who had arrived on the scene, and, after subduing a renewed burst of flames in his clothing, got him on board the ambulance. He then turned his attention to the pilot in the burning machine and had approached to within twelve yards of the wreckage when the first of the bombs exploded. Realising then that there was no hope of the pilot being still alive, he started to get clear and was some thirty yards away when a second bomb exploded. In advancing so close to the flames this airman took a grave risk as he was fully aware that the aircraft contained live bombs of a powerful type. (For this actionward of the Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire which later became the George Cross)
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561238 Flt Lt Hector Bertram Gray (13th Entry) - LG: 19 Apr 46
Flight Lieutenant Gray was part of a group taken prisoner in Hong Kong during December 1941. During his captivity he did all he could to sustain the morale of his fellow prisoners. He smuggled much needed drugs into the camp and distributed them to those who were seriously ill, and he also ran a news service on information he received from people outside the camp. He was tortured continually over a period of nearly 6 months to make him divulge the names of his informants, but he disclosed nothing.
The King was graciously pleased to approve a posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.
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George Medal
| The George Medal, like the George Cross, was instituted in 1940 and can be awarded both to civilians and to military personnel for acts of bravery not in the face of the enemy. The GM is awarded "for acts of great bravery."
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335383 W/O Edward George Alford (1st Entry) - LG: 21 Jan 41
Citation read: This warrant officer has displayed great gallantry and skill in disposing of a large number of unexploded bombs, never hesitating to deal with them immediately if he considered their presence was affecting the operational efficiency of the station.
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365204 Sqn Ldr Samuel J Davies (10th Entry) - LG: 20 Oct 44
Citation reads: In May, 1944, this officer was in the vicinity when an aircraft, shortly after taking off on an operational flight, crashed and burst into flames. Sqn Ldr Davies immediately drove to the scene and observed the rear gunner collapse in an attempt to get out of the aircraft. Heedless of the danger from the ammunition which was exploding, and also being aware that the aircraft carried bombs, he climbed on to the wing to extricate the rear gunner whose head and shoulders were hanging over the side of the cockpit. He had to free the latter's harness which had become entangled in some part of the aircraft, but he finally managed to lift him out of the cockpit and drag him clear of the burning wreckage. Sqn Ldr Davies then attempted to lift the body of the pilot out of the blazing front cockpit but was unsuccessful in doing this owing to the smoke and flames. He could see that the pilot had been killed in the crash. After warning all personnel of an imminent explosion he, with assistance from another airman, carried the gunner to the sick quarters. Less than two minutes after he had left the scene; two 500 lb. bombs exploded completely destroying the aircraft. The timely and courageous action of Sqn Ldr Davies had saved the life of the rear gunner.
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366233 Flt Lt Ernest L Williams (12th Entry) - LG: 21 Jan 41
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560595 LAC Sydney Walter Green (14th Entry)
Whilst serving on 18 OTU - Saving Life after aircraft crash
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560893 Plt Off Gerard Ryder (14th Entry) - LG: 11 Mar 41
Citation read: One night in December, 1940, Flt Lt Smythe, Plt Off Ryder and a sergeant comprised the crew of an aircraft which crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off. Flt Lt Smythe and Plt Off Ryder managed to extricate themselves from the wreckage but the sergeant was trapped in his cockpit. In spite of the fire and exploding incendiaries, and knowing that there were bombs which had not exploded, the two officers immediately re-entered the crashed aircraft and succeeded in extricating the trapped airman. Both these officers displayed great courage and a complete disregard for their personal safety.
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562435 W/O David Bishop (18th Entry) - LG: 21 Jan 41
Whilst serving at RAF Hal Far - Bomb Disposal
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562788 Plt Off Harold C Morris (18th Entry)
20 SFTS - Saving Life after aircraft crash
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562931 Flt Lt Wilfred Turner (18th Entry) - LG: 20 Oct 44
Citation reads: In July, 1944, two Typhoon aircraft and a petrol dump were set on fire during an enemy air attack against an airfield. Fire tenders were brought into action and, under the supervision of Wg Cdr Carroll, the fire in one aircraft was extinguished quickly. A second aircraft loaded with cannon shells arid also carrying rocket projectiles, was burning furiously. Ammunition, petrol tanks and rockets were exploding in all directions. Two rockets, which were pointing towards other aircraft and a dispersal area, remained in the starboard wing. Realising that it was impossible to extinguish the fire, Wg Cdr Carroll and Flt Lt Turner donned asbestos gloves and endeavoured to remove the rockets. This necessitated crawling under the wing and, had the starboard oleo leg collapsed, both officers would probably have been crushed to death. Undaunted by the intense heat and grave danger, these officers succeeded in removing the rockets. Wg Cdr Carroll also assisted to roll away two 500 lb. bombs which were near the fire. Throughout the whole operation Wg Cdr Carroll and Flt Lt Turner displayed courage and determination of a very high standard and set an excellent example. By their action they nullified a very great potential danger to personnel and aircraft in the vicinity.
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565387 Sqn Ldr Peter Guy Ottewill (23rd Entry) - LG: 12 Nov 43
Citation read: One day in June, 1943, a Beaufighter aircraft crashed into an ammunition store when taking off and immediately caught fire. Both occupants of the aircraft were stunned and unable to get out unaided. Despite the bursting of the aircraft's war load of ammunition (which included cannon shells), the 30,000 rounds of ammunition which were exploding in the store and the grave danger of the petrol tanks exploding, Sqn Ldr Ottewill, accompanied by 2 others, went to the scene of the accident in an endeavour to rescue the crew. Sqn Ldr Ottewill, ignoring a burning petrol tank, jumped on to the wing and after opening the front hatch, he succeeded in releasing the pilot and dragged him clear. Sqn Ldr Ottewill then returned and rescued the observer who was in happened. Shortly afterwards a petrol tank exploded. Sqn Ldr Ottewill, who had been severely burned on a previous occasion when his own aircraft was shot down by the enemy, accepted the risk of further severe burns, and injury in going to the assistance of his comrades and effecting their rescue. Fortunately he sustained only slight burns during this rescue.
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568020 Cpl John William Deacon (32nd Entry) - LG: 08 Jul 41
Whilst serving on 235 Sqn
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574485 Flt Sgt Ernest Thomas Edward Evans (39th Entry)
Whilst serving at RAF Pembroke Dock
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F8018509 Sgt Dennis Anthony Rogers (409th Entry) - LG: 08 Sep 92
UK EOD, Kuwait - rescuing 2 boys from area of anti-personnel mines
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Distinguished Service Order
| The Distinguished Service Order was instituted in 1886, and recognises outstanding leadership during active operations. It is awarded "for distinguished services during active operations against the enemy."
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561078 Wg Cdr Leslie Crooks (15th Entry) - LG: 28 May 43
Citation reads: As a Squadron Leader took part in No.426 Squadron's third operation, 21 January 1943; date of award incident was 26 April 1943; Commanding Officer of unit, 15 February to 17 August 1943 (missing, Peenemunde raid). This officer's courage and skill were admirably demonstrated during a recent attack on Duisburg. When approaching the target his aircraft was raked by cannon fire from an enemy fighter. Wing Commander Crooks skilfully evaded the attacker but his aircraft had sustained much damage. Although one aileron and half the port tail plane had been shot away, while the hydraulic and electrical systems were rendered inoperative, Wing Commander Crooks flew the bomber back to this country. Unfortunately, it was impossible to effect a safe landing, but when the crew were forced to abandon aircraft, all descended safely. In the face of heavy odds, Wing Commander Crooks set an example worthy of high praise.
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44456 Sqn Ldr Thomas Gilbert Mahaddie (17th Entry)
Whilst serving on 7 Sqn
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44270 Flt Lt Frank Squire (17th Entry)
Whilst serving on 210 Sqn
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44565 Sqn Ldr Geoffrey Walter Harding (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 105 Sqn
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44877 Flt Lt Ernest Ronald Abbott (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 50 Sqn
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43123 Wg Cdr Nelson Bruce Harvey (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 39 Sqn
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43138 Wg Cdr Joe Northrop (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 692 Sqn
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43416 Sqn Ldr Fraser Burstock Slade (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 12 Sqn
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43128 Grp Cpt John Henry Searby (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 83 Sqn
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43145 Wg Cdr Reginald William Cox (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 7 Sqn
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44128 Sqn Ldr Arthur Reece (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 149 Sqn
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33130 Wg Cdr Robert Gordon Yaxley (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 272 Sqn
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44547 Wg Cdr Edward William Deacon (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 35 Sqn
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45713 Sqn Ldr William Cowan Ollason(20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 101 Sqn
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43144 Sqn Ldr Charles Darwen Stenner (21st Entry)
Whilst serving on 106 Sqn
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47663 Sqn Ldr Edward John Greenleaf (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 571 Sqn
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44709 Sqn Ldr Wilfred Stanley Herring (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 207 Sqn
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44076 Wg Cdr Alan George Seymour Cousens (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 115 Sqn
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44547 Flt Lt Joseph Roy George Ralston (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 105 Sqn
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44835 Wg Cdr Ian Clifford Kirby Swales (23rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 622 Sqn
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44867 Wg Cdr Dennis Theodore (23rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 635 Sqn
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46302 Sqn Ldr Dilwyn Henry Thomas (23rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 156 Sqn
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44932 Flt Lt Ernest Edward Collins (24th Entry)
Whilst serving on 50 Sqn
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44357 Sqn Ldr Georger Godfrey Petty (24th Entry)
Whilst serving on 207 Sqn
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43075 Sqn Ldr Arthur William Southall (24th Entry)
Whilst serving on 174 Sqn
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44735 Flt Lt Thomas John Watkins (24th Entry)
Whilst serving on 82 Sqn
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45353 Flt Lt Arthur John Hodgkinson (25th Entry)
Whilst serving on 23 Sqn - KIA 10 July 1943 (Italy)
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33201 Flt Lt James Anderson Pitcairn-Hill (26th Entry)
Whilst serving on 83 Sqn
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47403 Flt Lt Eric Baldwin (29th Entry)
Citation provided by his Son, Jerry Baldwin, reads: On the night of 25th/26th July 1944 this officer was the captain and pilot of one of three aircraft detailed to attack Berlin in the role of marker with special equipment.
On the run up to the target in clear weather the aircraft was coned, was the centre of an intense barrage of heavy flak, and was hit by shrapnel in several places; one piece of shrapnel pierced the suction pipe line to the blind flying instruments and put them unserviceable. Undeterred, Flt Lt Baldwin continued his bombing run realising that very probably on him rested the responsibility for successfully marking the target.
After completing his target marking duties successfully, this officer was faced with the task of flying his aircraft home on a pitch black night and through an occlusion lying across his route to a low cloud base over this country with the only blind flying instruments serviceable being the airspeed indicator and the American pattern bank indicator, with which he was unfamiliar.
Shortly after leaving the target he received an indication on special equipment that he was being chased by an enemy night fighter. He took avoiding action but the chase continued for ten minutes until Flt Lt Baldwin decided to take refuge in cloud where he lost control of the aircraft through having no blind flying instruments, but managed successfully to lose the enemy night fighter. He regained control of the aircraft after losing some thousands of feet and continued his journey home, finally making a successful landing at base despite the fact that his port tyre had been punctured by flak.
The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by this officer in the above circumstances is worthy of the highest praise.
Flt Lt Baldwin has now completed 121 bombing sorties against the enemy. He carried out a prolonged first tour of 68 sorties in the Middle East Command in 1941 and has now completed a further 53 sorties with this squadron. His list of successful sorties include 22 attacks on Benghazi and 20 on Berlin.
Of his list of successful sorties carried out with this squadron, 40 have been made in the role of marker with special equipment.
Flight Lieutenant Baldwin is an outstanding officer who has always shown the utmost keenness to operate against the enemy, his every sortie is brought to a successful conclusion by a display of courage and determination unsurpassed and his fine work both in the air and on the ground have been a tremendous asset to this squadron.
This recommendation was endorsed by the Officer Commanding, Station Upwood (2 August 1944) and the Air Officer Commanding, No.8 Group (4 August 1944) before final approval by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris (9 August 1944).
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45543 Sqn Ldr George Binmore Johns (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 260 Sqn
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47821 Sqn Ldr Harry Alexander (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 109 Sqn
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47364 Sqn Ldr Richard David Campling (31st Entry)
Whilst serving on 7 Sqn
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50954 Flt Lt Edward Ernest Stocker (37th Entry)
Whilst serving on 582 Sqn
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47650 Wg Cdr Joseph Roy George Ralston (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 101 Sqn
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Distinguished Flying Cross
| The Distinguished Flying Cross recognises acts of bravery during combat operations in the air. It was instituted in 1918 and is awarded "for gallantry during active operations against the enemy."
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562690 W/O Reginald John Fulbrook (19th Entry)
Training accident in Handley Page Halifax W1243 whilst serving on 103 Sqn
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36031 Wg Cdr Donald Osborne Finlay (12th Entry)
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26218 Wg Cdr Stanley Charles Widdows (13th Entry)
As CO of 29 Sqn flying night patrols he soon established a reputation in the Night Fighting role. When No 29 moved to West Malling in Kent in April, Widdows was appointed station commander. A few days later he was on patrol over the English Channel when he attacked a Junkers 88. As he opened fire, his Beaufighter was badly damaged by return fire, which also put the radio out of action. Widdows took violent evasive action, and managed to limp back to his airfield – where he discovered that his radar operator had bailed out; the man's body was later recovered on a French beach. Shortly afterwards, Widdows was rested from operations and awarded a DFC for his fine leadership.
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44054 Flt Lt Leslie Crooks (15th Entry)
Pilot of Avro Lancaster Mk II, Serial No DS681, Code Letters OW- . T/o 2132 on 17th from Linton-on-Ouse to attack the V1 & V2 research facility at Peenemunde. A famous raid. (Crooks was the Commanding Officer of 426 Sqdn and was killed on the eighth operation of his second tour). Crooks was awarded the DFC as an acting Flt Lt on 58 Sqdn in 1941.
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43132 P/O Frank Reginald Carey (16th Entry)
Whilst serving on 3 Sqn
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81048 P/O Charles Ernest Hill (17th Entry)
Whilst serving on 101 Sqn
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36225 Sqn Ldr Glynn Ashfield (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 157 Sqn
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46957 Sqn Ldr Edward Roland Thorn (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 32 Sqn
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33046 Sqn Ldr John Vincent Clarence Badger (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 43 Sqn
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44678 Sqn Ldr Francis Joseph Soper(19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 257 Sqn
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42945 P/O Francis Joseph Watson (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 83 Sqn
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43354 P/O George Hermans Bennions (19th Entry) LG: 01 Oct 40
Awarded the DFC whilst serving on 41 Sqn at the start of the Battle of Britain. George Hermans Bennions on July 28 and 29 1940 claimed Bf109s destroyed, but was shot down on the 29th. On August 15 he claimed a Bf 110 and another damaged; on September 5 a Ju 88 destroyed; a Bf 109 probably destroyed and a Ju 88 damaged. On the 6th he claimed two Bf 109s shot down and on the 7th his undercarriage collapsed on landing. Another Bf 109 was claimed on the 9th and a Bf 110 damaged on the 11th. A Bf 109 was claimed as destroyed and a Do 17 damaged on the 15th; a Bf 109 shot down on the 17th and a Bf 109 destroyed; two more probably destroyed and one damaged on the 18th. He destroyed another Bf 109 on the 23rd, probably two more on the 28th and his final victory, another Bf 109, came on October 1 1940. On this day, in combat with Bf 109s, he had a cannon shell explode in his cockpit, blinding him in one eye and wounding his right arm and leg. He baled out and after emergency treatment he was transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. After undergoing plastic surgery by Archie McIndoe, he became one of the famous Guinea Pigs.
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42945 P/O Francis Joseph Watson (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 83 Sqn
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49575 F/O John Fort (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 617 Sqn
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44630 Flt Lt Frederick William Higginson (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 56 Sqn
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45010 Sqn Ldr Herbert James Lempiere (Darkie) Hallowes (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 165 Sqn
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W/O Walter Nicholls (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 7 Sqn
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43419 Flt Lt Walter John Lawson (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 19 Sqn
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45464 Flt Lt Eric Richardson (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 258 Sqn
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49034 Sqn Ldr George Milner Smith (19th Entry)
Whilst serving on 256 Sqn
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43481 P/O William Cyril Hutchings (21st Entry)
Whilst serving on 57 Sqn
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43362 P/O Ian James Muirhead (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 605 Sqn
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33130 Wg Cdr Robert Gordon Yaxley (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 252 Sqn
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44733 P/O Ronald William Pearson (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 211 Sqn
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158284 P/O Joseph Clifford Harris-Ward (Entry tbn) - LG: 15 Feb 44
Recommendation states: "Pilot Officer Joseph Clifford Harris-Ward has carried out 24 Operational Sorties as a Flight Enginner since his posting to 51 Sqn in May 1943. Throughout these sorties, he has carried out his duties in a most efficient manner. Under a calm and quiet manner he has a fine offensive spirit in action which inspires confidence and as a member of an Operational Crew, his keenness and ability is outstanding".
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46823 P/O William George Jack Woodmason (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 218 Sqn
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44551 P/O Geoffrey Allard (20th Entry)
Whilst serving on 85 Sqn
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46253 Flt Lt Stanley John Arnfield (21st Entry)
Whilst serving on 166 Sqn
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45651 P/O Eric Tom Sellick (21st Entry)
Whilst serving on 42 Sqn
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44775 Sqn Ldr Robert Beck Bagguley (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 139 Sqn
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44600 P/O Kenneth James Holmes (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 217 Sqn
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44779 Sqn Ldr Wilfred Morgan Protheroe (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 158 Sqn
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46016 Flt Lt Harry Steere (22nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 627 Sqn
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43946 Sqn Ldr Arthur Terence Maundsley (23rd Entry)
Arthur Terence Maudsley was a sergeant in the early days of the war, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal before being commissioned as a pilot officer on 22 June 1940. He was then, whilst flying with 233 Squadron, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 24 December 1940.
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471224 Flt Lt Alfred Ernest Marshall (23rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 250 Sqn
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565380 W/O Harold Vertican (23rd Entry)
Awarded Whilst serving on 462 Sqn WO Vertican was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in an incident which happened during an air attack on Leros. The citation stated: "The objective was successfully bombed, but while still over the target area one engine of his aircraft became unserviceable. Despite this he flew the bomber back to base. There were, however, problems on the horizon for fog was blanketing the area and they could not land. Undeterred he flew on, searching for another landing ground. The situation became serious and all moveable equipment was jettisoned to assist in maintaining height. WO Vertican made a landing after a flight of 700 miles with one of the aircraft's engines out of action."
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45276 Sqn Ldr Charles Frank Rose (24th Entry)
Whilst serving on 521 Sqn
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45353 P/O Arthur John Hodgkinson (25th Entry)
Whilst serving on 219 Sqn
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45717 F/O Arthur John Alan Roberts (25th Entry)
Whilst serving on 600 Sqn
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33201 Flt Lt James Anderson Pitcairn-Hill (26th Entry)
Whilst serving on 83 Sqn
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47403 Flt Lt Eric Baldwin (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 139 Sqn
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45901 P/O Leslie Arthur Rickinson (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 101 Sqn
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45202 Flt Lt William Roy Greenslade (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 149 Sqn
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45543 Flt Lt George Binmore Johns (29th Entry)
Whilst serving on 239 Sqn
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33414 Sqn Ldr Peter William Olber Mould (29th Entry)
Squadron Leader Peter William Olber Mould flew a Hurricane off HMS Ark Royal 3rd April 1941 to increase the number of aircraft on Malta. On 12th May 1941 185 Squadron was established at Hal Far and he was made the Commanding Officer. He was piloting a Hurricane on 1st October 1941, when he was shot down by Italian fighters, and was killed. He was 24 years old and the C.O. of 185 Squadron.
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47364 Sqn Ldr Richard David Campling (31st Entry)
Whilst serving on 7 Sqn
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47423 Flt Lt Alan Edgar Jones (31st Entry)
Whilst serving on 153 Sqn
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53904 P/O Robert Catterall (32nd Entry)
Whilst serving on 199 Sqn
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54128 Flt Lt Edward Noel Thompson (33rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 77 Sqn
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51737 Flt Lt Robert Edward Manvell (23rd Entry)
Whilst serving on 156 Sqn. The recommendation for this award reads:
"Flight Lieutenant Manvell is the Squadron Flight Engineer Leader and has a fine operational record. He has completed 51 operational sorties, 21 of which have been with the Pathfinder Force, against the most heavily defended targets in Germany. Apart from his duties as Engineer Leader, which he has carried out with zeal and efficiency, he has shown outstanding keenness to fly on operations on every possible occasion. His enthusiasm to undertake operational work has been an inspiration and, in particular, an example to the Flight Engineers entrusted to his care. His ability for training and instructing Flight Engineers, and his high sense of devotion to duty and his work on this squadron make him very worthy of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross."
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50607 F/O Peter Francis Carlisle (34th Entry)
Whilst serving on 206 Sqn
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50002 F/O Gerald Stansfield Johnson (39th Entry)
Whilst serving on 57 Sqn
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53824 F/O William Frank Possee (40th Entry)
Whilst serving on 9 Sqn
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44971 Flt Lt William Abercromby (15th Entry)
Whilst serving on 50 Sqn
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43132 P/O Frank Reginald Carey (16th Entry)
Whilst serving on 3 Sqn
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45353 P/O Arthur John Hodgkinson (25th Entry)
Bar whilst serving on 219 Sqn
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33414 Sqn Ldr Peter William Olber Mould (29th Entry)
Bar whilst serving on 185 Sqn
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50002 Flt Lt Gerald Stansfield Johnson (39th Entry)
Bar whilst serving on 97 Sqn
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44971 Wg Cdr William Abercromby (15th Entry)
Bar whilst serving on 619 Sqn
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43132 Wg Cdr Frank Reginald Carey (16th Entry)
Bar whilst serving on 267 Sqn
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Air Force Cross
| The Air Force Cross was instituted in 1918. It is awarded "for gallantry while flying but not on active operations against the enemy."
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335596 W/O Frederick John Poulter (2nd Entry)
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83389 Flt Lt Frank Horatio Gledhill (4th Entry)
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43927 P/O Lionel Edward Speer (4th Entry)
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43523 F/O James Sibley Simons (4th Entry)
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363436 W/O Frederick Albert Hedges (7th Entry)
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364156 W/O Douglas James Pitcher (9th Entry)
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364374 W/O Jack Williams (9th Entry)
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36105 F/O Jack Ethelbert Pebody (10th Entry)
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365733 W/O Arthur George William Gold (11th Entry)
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36105 Sqn Ldr Wilfred William Loxton (11th Entry)
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36031 Grp Cpt Donald Osborne Finlay (12th Entry)
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43132 Grp Cpt Frank Reginald Carey (16th Entry)
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45448 Sqn Ldr Albert Leslie Collett (16th Entry)
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561710 W/O Ernest Folley (16th Entry)
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47746 Flt Lt Jack Steere (16th Entry)
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36225 Flt Lt Glynn Ashfield (19th Entry)
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45275 Flt Lt William Alfred Maurice Birt (19th Entry)
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- W/O Arthur William Eade (19th Entry)
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36127 Flt Lt William Joseph Carr (20th Entry)
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- W/O Robert Shaw (20th Entry)
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564602 W/O Gilbert Ernest Dawe (22nd Entry)
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47845 Flt Lt James Robinson (22nd Entry)
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45973 Sqn Ldr Robert Thomas Langton (22nd Entry)
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47188 P/O Reginald Arthur Studd (22nd Entry)
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52561 F/O John (Spungy) Whelan (22nd Entry)
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51845 Flt Lt Arthur Herbert Dorrien Pond (23rd Entry)
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48324 Flt Lt Charles Alexander Lyall Hurry (24th Entry)
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- W/O Eric Bell (26th Entry)
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49994 Sgt Alfred Denmark Burt (26th Entry)
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47416 Sqn Ldr Ronald Vernon Ellis (27th Entry)
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45202 Sqn Ldr William Roy Greenslade (29th Entry)
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50040 F/O Arthur Robert Burchett (33rd Entry)
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570672 Master Signaller William John Ashcroft (34th Entry)
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580476 W/O Clement John Barrey (43rd Entry)
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49994 W/O Arthur George William Gold (11th Entry)
Bar
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Air Force Medal
| The Air Force Medal was instituted in 1918 and was (until 1993) awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy".
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335356 F/Sgt Jack Rawlinson (1st Entry)
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335839 F/Sgt Lester Francis Humphrey (2nd Entry)
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335871 Sgt Charles Albert Deakin (2nd Entry)
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362145 F/Sgt Hedley Picton Shippobotham (4th Entry)
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362749 F/Sgt Robert William Jarred (6th Entry)
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362998 F/Sgt John Harry Teel (6th Entry)
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363255 Sgt Jack Shearsmith (6th Entry)
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363261 F/Sgt William Edgar Sully (6th Entry)
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363271 F/Sgt Jack Martindale Whitwell (6th Entry)
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363383 Cpl Gerald Francis Carnell (7th Entry)
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363448 F/Sgt Alfred Charles Leonard Munns (7th Entry)
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363497 F/Sgt Reginald George Williams (7th Entry)
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363590 Cpl Victor Joe Carter (7th Entry)
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363618 Sgt Douglas Arthur Haydon (7th Entry)
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- F/Sgt William Christopher Maher (7th Entry)
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363982 Sgt Herbert William Gill (8th Entry)
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364051 F/Sgt Thomas Alfryn Howells (8th Entry)
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364088 Sgt Reginald Charles George Harman (8th Entry)
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364374 F/Sgt Jack Williams (8th Entry)
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364477 F/Sgt John Edward Atkins (9th Entry)
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364506 F/Sgt Albert Stanley Blake (9th Entry)
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364766 F/Sgt John William Brodie Snowden (9th Entry)
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364938 F/Sgt Rowland Parr (9th Entry)
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364969 F/Sgt Cecil Joseph Rose (9th Entry)
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365094 F/Sgt Charles George Wareham (9th Entry)
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365362 F/Sgt George Patrick Hall (10th Entry)
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365505 F/Sgt Alfred James Morgan (10th Entry)
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365522 Sgt Herbert William Waylen (10th Entry)
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365920 F/Sgt John Nelson Ogle (11th Entry)
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365923 F/Sgt Leslie Harry Poltock (11th Entry)
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365988 Sgt John Peter Whitehead (11th Entry)
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366235 Cpl Richard Edward Wesson (12th Entry)
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560136 F/Sgt William Alfred Gray (13th Entry)
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560310 F/Sgt George McPherson (13th Entry)
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- Sgt Harry Graham Hastings (14th Entry)
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560876 F/Sgt Frederick William Otter (14th Entry)
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561238 Sgt Hector Bertram Gray (15th Entry)
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561740 F/Sgt George Frederick Heayes (16th Entry)
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- Sgt Thomas Pountney (16th Entry)
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- Sgt Walter Bartholomew Burden (17th Entry)
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- Sgt George Henry Leonard Baker (17th Entry)
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- Cpl David Henry Davis (17th Entry)
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- LAC Arthur Leslie Holland (17th Entry)
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562800 Engineer John Fred Grove Martin (18th Entry)
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- Sgt Archie Edward Ballam (19th Entry)
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563130 Sgt William Henry Cecil Gulliver (19th Entry)
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565712 Sgt Hugh Patrick Connolly (24th Entry)
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566076 F/Sgt Leonard Ollier (26th Entry)
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- F/Sgt Albert Edward Clarence Brookin (27th Entry)
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- Sgt Ernest Frank Sly (28th Entry)
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- LAC Surtees Elliott (29th Entry)
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- Pilot Francis Herbert Bloomer (33rd Entry)
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570070 F/Sgt William Charles Jenkins (34th Entry)
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- Sgt John Derek Perring (36th Entry)
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- Sgt Hugh William Price (36th Entry)
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- Signaller John Blake Cameron Browne (36th Entry)
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- Engineer Geoffrey Ernest Watts (37th Entry)
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574348 Pilot Donald Pow (38th Entry)
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574514 F/Sgt Richard John Snell (38th Entry)
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575640 Pilot Duncan Stokes (39th Entry)
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- F/Sgt James Dougan (39th Entry)
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- F/Sgt Cyril Thomas Rylatt (40th Entry)
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576582 F/Sgt William James McClean Wilson (40th Entry)
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576880 Engineer Harold Robert Sinton (40th Entry)
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578190 F/Sgt Donald George Munro (42nd Entry)
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578366 Engineer John Bowman Elder (42nd Entry)
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578152 Signaller Royston Joseph Le Feaver (42nd Entry)
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578390 F/Sgt Gordon Acklam (43rd Entry)
And Bar
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576582 Signaller Thomas McMorran Rae (43rd Entry)
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- Engineer Austen Brian Howes (43rd Entry)
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- Engineer Stanley Wright (43rd Entry)
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578452 Signaller Ingolf Peter Frost (43rd Entry)
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578490 Signaller D.A. Birchall (43rd Entry)
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579364 Sgt Neville Lawrence (46th Entry)
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- F/Sgt Stanley William Austin (52nd Entry)
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The Victoria Cross